One of Singapore’s best Japanese popular culture and anime festivals is back once again for its ninth outing at the Suntec City Convention and Exhibition Centre. At the Anime Festival Asia (AFA) 2016, you will get a rare treat and find the brains behind some of the best-loved Anime titles such Assassination Classroom, Sword Art Online The Movie and Kuromukuro.
The main hall is where you can get your Japanese Pop Culture merchandise by both local and Japanese stores. My favourite Gundam Gunpla models are also on sale with discounted sets priced to clear. Interesting things you can get are foam swords by Caesars Armour Guns Sword that goes perfectly with cosplaying or Halloween dress-up, going for S$99 for two swords. There are more than 200 stores including Japanese food stalls so you can have your fill of Japanese food and products.
Fans of Sword Art Online can look forward to a special exhibition that showcases artwork and animation cuts from the Movie as well as the TV Series. If you are there to shoot cosplayers, there are now mini photo studio backdrops for you to take photos. What’s more you can print your favourite shot of the day with Canon printers free of charge!
For entertainment, there’s a show live stage featuring Japanese acts such as Tokyo Performance Domoe, Real Akiba Boyz and Iketeru Hearts. Local idol dance groups and DJs will also be taking the stage. If you are into concerts, this year’s AFA has added another six new acts, totally 12 acts including HOME MADE KAZOKU, Minori Chihara, Ami Wajima, Alisa Takigawa, Konomi Suzuki and Wake Up, Girls.
For the very first time, AFA will hold ANiBEATS, a one-night-only after event party happening on 27 November with DJs spinning electronic dance music with anime theme songs so do remember to stay back to dance on the last day of the festival.
What: Asia Festival Asia 2016
Where: Suntec City Convention and Exhibition Centre Level 3 and 4
When: 25 to 27 November 2016; 9.30am to 8pm (Saturday), 9.30am to 7pm (Sunday)
Tickets: Tickets are priced at S$13 per person.
