The very first major Japanese pop culture event of the year opens with much fanfare as international cosplayers Luffy and Tsubasa got to meet their Filipino fans at their special meet and greet session free for attendees at Otaku Expo 2016, an annually anticipated event. With thousands of revelers coming to enjoy the booths, games, bands and competitions, it was a great start for another fun year for anime fans, congoers and cosplayers alike.
Joining us for our coverage are our Cosplay Models Nicolette, Ami, and Julia, who got to enjoy the festivities as they went about the event to bring us the highlights.
Headlining the event were Hong Kong-based cosplayers Luffy and Tsubasa. This endearing couple are prominent cosplayers in their home country for quite a while, and their skill and dedication to cosplay has earned them many admirers all over the world, even more so here in the Philippines who came from far and wide to see them.
Portraying Honoka of Love Live!, Luffy was nothing short of elegant as she got to meet her fans at special sessions throughout the day.
Tsubasa came in as Ittoki Otoya of Uta no Prince-sama. He was striking but amiable throughout the sessions as well, always going out of his way to accommodate fans who were thrilled to see their idol coming all the way here to Manila.
Fans got to receive posters for the couple for free: all they had to do was line up! Fans even got to meet them up close and have their posters signed. The couple’s photobooks were also offered to the public, each was attractive and glossy, presenting each of them in images that reflect their greatest work and collaborations.
After the signings, fans again were in for a treat as they were given the opportunity to have their photos taken with the amazing couple. Their admirers of course made the most of the chance to have photos and selfies with them.
Aside from the international guests, Otaku Expo had more things in store for attendees. A lively Anime Karaoke contest had contestants and audiences, even judges alike singing and dancing to well-chosen and fondly-remembered themes from anime series.
The Battle of the Bands Competition rocked the Megatrade Halls as talented groups of musicians showed their best performances in front of discerning judges and a very appreciative crowd.
The various sponsor, artist, and merchandise booths and stalls have always been the mainstay of Otaku Expo, and there are lots this year, offering attendees with a bewildering array of anime-themed merchandise to choose from, and congoers do take their time browsing for interesting finds throughout the venue.
A special performance by idol cover group Seishun Kakumei livened up the audience later in the day.
While prominent band Moonspeak closed off the day’s program on a high and loud note as they engaged the crowd with their hard-hitting music.
We were also there for the cosplayers, of course, and we enjoyed having shoots with them all throughout the day, as they showed their best and had fun with the crowd and with each other.
The day eventually ended but this was all just Day 1. Day 2 proved to be an even bigger spectacle, so do visit us again soon for our specialcoverage of the second day on Otaku Expo 2016. Many thanks to the organizers, as well as Sir Donnie and the rest of their great staff for accommodating our coverage team.
Thank you for dropping by, and do visit us again for more features here at arkadymac.com.
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