Best of Anime and Cosplay Mania 2015

Two separate events, one venue!

Hey guys and girls, it’s time for me to talk about my experience on attending both anime conventions I’ve recently attended this year at the SMX Convention Center: Best of Anime and Cosplay Mania.

So let’s start with Best of Anime 2015 as I went on the second day instead of the first. Oh yeah and this event marks 10 years of Hero TV, which is why this event featured Filipino-dubbed movies such as Initial D: Third Stage and the live-action adaptation of Rurouni Kenshin.

Man, I’m remembering those days when I watched Major, Zettai Muteki Raijin-Oh, and Yakitate!! Japan on Hero TV.

While I spent little on this event such as buying character charms and playing Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax, I enjoyed watching cosplay competition and I got a treat on seeing guest cosplayers doing their stuff such as Sara TousaBao and Hane*Ann.

Of course, the most important treat for Best of Anime 2015 is the musical performance which consists of Joe Inoue (best known for his single “Closer”), UchuSentai:Noiz (who covered some OPM songs such as “Narda”), and Eir Aoi. There’s also the idol group STARMARIE, but I missed watching them perform. Still, watching UchuSentai:Noiz and Eir Aoi perform at their best was so exciting!

Now let’s move onto Cosplay Mania 2015 where I went there for two days. While I have some money to buy stuff such as a mini dakimakura and a Gunpla model kit, the real reason why I went to Cosplay Mania 2015 is the Asia Karaoke Nodojiman singing competition.

By the way, the singing competition was sponsored by NHK’s Japan International Broadcasting Inc. and Daichiikosho, which is why the contest uses the company’s latest karaoke machine named Live Dam Stadium. I tried my best on singing my heart out but I was bested by better singers. Still, it was fun participating on Asia Karaoke Nodojiman and I might try it next year.

After the singing contest (plus testing out one of ChillMobile’s personal transporter), it’s time for the concert which consists of LOVERIN TAMBURIN, Itsuki Akira, and Pile!

As you can see on this picture, they’ll perform here right after the cosplay event which I didn’t attend it as I was busy watching the Asia Karaoke Nodojiman 2015 Grand Finals at that time. But hey, I enjoyed watching the JAM Concert especially Pile’s performance. I guess that “saving the best music artist for last” makes this concert end on a higher note!

So what can I say about these two anime conventions? Well, I have to say that both events stepped up their a-game as they brought guests from other countries including Japan, compared to 8-9 years ago where they invite local cosplayers and musicians. And seriously, 2015 is the year where the Philippine anime community is blessed with nice things like having Eir Aoi and Pile making guest appearances on their respective anime conventions, so I hoping that they’ll continue the hype train for next year and beyond!

Anyways, that’ll be it for this post. Maybe next year, I’ll try to attend both conventions if they bring more exciting things like famous cosplayers, seiyuus, and J-Pop artists!

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