ARTICLE
Japan Popular Culture Unites at C3 Anime Festival Asia Singapore
By Edric / 24 Nov 2017 (Friday)
C3 Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2017 (C3AFASG17) formerly known as Anime Festival Asia, the region’s biggest premier festival for Japanese Popular Culture and anime, presents the best and latest content in Singapore from this Friday to Sunday (24 – 26 November). Held at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, the three-day festival begins tomorrow. C3AFASG17 is supported by the leaders of the Anime and Japanese Pop culture industry and is set to offer the best of Japanese content, music, food, technology and merchandise direct from Japan.
Last year, the festival saw over 210,000 attendees (94,000 in Singapore, 62,000 in Indonesia, 55,000 in Thailand). This year, the festival has expanded beyond South-east Asia to include Bangkok, Jakarta and Tokyo, and is slated for Hong Kong in February 2018.
Music and J-pop lovers have snapped up all VIP tickets of the Japan Music Festival: I Love Anisong concerts and Idol Showcase for Friday and Saturday, while very limited tickets remain for Sunday.
Rub shoulders with Anisong artistes, special guests and star cosplayers
One of the highlights of C3AFA is the highly anticipated performances by Anisong artistes, as well as special appearances from industry guests and star cosplayers.
This year, C3AFASG17 will feature well-known Japanese artistes in Singapore for the first time. They include, 乃木坂 46 (NOGIZAKA46), ClariS, Ayasa, Shiena Nishizawa, Tomohisa Sako, Luce Twinkle Wink☆, Moso Calibration, and Iris. The line-up for the I Love Anisong concert performances is available at https://animefestival.asia/singapore17/concert/.
from left: Manatsu Akimoto, Erika Ikuta, Sayuri Matsumura of 乃木坂 46 (NOGIZAKA46), who made a guest appearance at the media preview and will be performing at C3 Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2017
Festival goers can also keep their eyes peeled for celebrity cosplayers, Thames Malerose from Thailand, and Serg Loki from Russia who will be in Singapore for the first time. Other star cosplayers visitors can look forward to meeting with include, Angie (from Malaysia), Baozi & Hana (from China), Enako (from Japan), 黎狱 (Liyuu from China), Rosiel Kayou (from Japan), and Punipun (from Indonesia). Fans can look forward to catching them on the Day Stage, as well as the Super Akiba Stage. Details on the full list of special guests are available at https://animefestival.asia/singapore17/guests/.
Special Meet and Greet Sessions (with limited slots) will also be held for fans of Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens: Yusuke Kobayashi, Serg Loki, B-Project:Tetsuya Kakihara and Toshiyuki Toyonaga, and Enako.
Catch exclusive premieres and screenings first at C3AFASG17
Fans can look forward to exclusive experiential content, and be among the first to catch the latest at C3AFASG17, which is organized by SOZO and its partners: SOTSU, Dentsu, Zepp Live, Amuse, ASATSU-DK INC and Avex Asia. The highly anticipated BEATLESS will be presented overseas for the first time at the festival. New information will be released exclusively at the convention prior to the show’s airing in Japan in January next year.
Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens will be debuting a new trailer at C3AFASG17 ahead of Japan with special guest, Yusuke Kobayashi making an appearance at the convention.
Violet Evergarden, which was recently purchased globally by Netflix, will screen its first episode at the festival ahead of its Japanese broadcast in January 2018. This is the first time in Asia (outside of Japan) that fans can watch the first episode. Fans can expect a stunning guest line-up, from the show’s lead voice actress, to its screenwriter and character designer as well as the singers of the show’s theme songs. There will also be an exclusive booth that will showcase the various content of this anticipated anime title.
Another exclusive to C3AFASG17 will be the world premiere of Record of Grancrest War’s first episode. Lead voice actor, Kentaro Kumagai will be at the convention to meet fans of the anime. There will also be a booth at C3AFASG17 to promote the title.
This year, Mobile Suit Gundam 00 also celebrates its 10th anniversary at C3AFASG17 with appearances by legendary voice actor, Shin-ichiro Miki.
Anime Festival Asia has also teamed up with figurine powerhouse, KOTOBUKIYA’s Frame Arms Girl, to create a limited edition Frame Arms Girl x SEIKA Baselard Plastic Model Kit. The model kit would be first sold in Singapore at C3AFA Singapore.
Avex Asia and Canon Singapore will also have Pikachu mascots from popular TV series, Pokémon, debut a new mascot dance on the Super Akiba Stage on Saturday and Sunday.
The Best of Japanese Popular Culture: From Tech Offerings to Treats
C3AFASG17 will offer a kaleidoscope of the best of Japanese pop culture, from food to technology, local talent and themed showcases. Fans and cosplayers can refuel at the Food Street, with delicious Japanese treats from Nissin and Monster Curry amongst other stalls (https://animefestival.asia/singapore17/akiba-town/#food).
This year, C3AFASG17 continues to provide a platform for local artistes and creators to showcase their talent. The festival will offer a line-up of performances from USAGI, RAE, Serene Teo, Mechapen, the Singapore Wotagei Community, and local idol groups, Tokimeki Jump, and Natsuiro Party. Apart from local performances, event goers can also check out the Creators Hub where aspiring anime hobbyists and interest groups will set up booths to share and sell their anime-related artwork and crafts.
Visitors can also look out for specialised booths for Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic and SACRA Music at the festival. These experiential booths, which are in Singapore for the first time, will bring a new level of experience for festival-goers. The Black Butler booth will feature a Victorian era style setting where fans can get together to celebrate the movie release and be immersed in the world of Black Butler. The SACRA Music booth will showcase a wide range of artistes under SACRA MUSIC. Fans get to preview artiste profiles and their songs through the high-tech displays available within the booth.
This year, C3AFASG17 will also showcase brands who tap on technology to promote Japanese popular culture. The SONY Music Entertainment Japan booth will feature technology advances in Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) as well as Sony’s new IP character, Daifuku-kun. Visitors can also keep an eye out for Kunkun body, a body odour measuring solution by Konica Minolta, and Aniplex’s Saekano ♭ Shop will feature a life-sized Kato Megumi figurine from the hit anime series “How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend.” The figurine is extremely rare with only 20 pieces made, it would be sold at SGD$25,000 to one avid fan. The booth will also feature an AR component where fans can be immersed into the storyline of the anime.
The best cosplayers in the festival will be scouted to show off their cosplay in the Cosplay Singles Showcase on 25 November Saturday. They can also register to join the World Cosplay Summit 2018 at the festival.
“Year on year, C3 AFASG goes all out to curate and bring the best J-pop content to the region. As interest in all aspects of Japanese popular culture continues to soar locally and in Singapore, we are set to bring a stellar line-up with something for everyone. We hope that visitors will find something new and to love at the festival, as we mark our 10th show,” said C3 AFA Organiser Shawn Chin, and SOZO’s Founder and Managing Director.
from left: Mr Haruhiko Miyano (CEO of Amuse Entertainment Singapore), Mr Shawn Chin (C3 AFA Organiser, and SOZO’s Founder and Managing Director)
4th from the left onwards: Beverly (Avex artiste and singer), Mr Shunta Takahashi (President of Avex Asia), Ms Sach Tsuchiya (Senior Vice President of Zepp Live), Mr Tomizawa Tetsuo (Manager of the Hobby Department from Bandai Namco Asia) at the media preview for C3 Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2017
Tickets can be bought on site at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre’s 3rd floor concourse for the “EXHIBITION ONLY” and “EXHIBITION + STAGE” tickets. Tickets for the “I LOVE ANISONG” (EXHIBITION + STAGE + CONCERT) can be purchased outside Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre’s Hall 404 on the 4th floor.
For more information on the festival, please check out www.c3afa.com/sg17 and www.facebook.com/animefestivalasia.
C3 Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2017
Dates: 24 – 26 November 2017
Location: Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre (Levels 3 & 4)
Exhibition Timing:
Friday & Saturday: 9.30 am - 8pm
Sunday: 9.30 am - 7pm