Ever felt like you’re just a spectator at the same old events? With fun and innovative new games, contests and attractions lined up that anyone can take a part in, get to experience more and be an actual part of the event as there as so many opportunities for every congoer to have fun and have a great time by themselves or with friends at the newest event this season: Anime and Cosplay Expo 2016.
Organized by cosplay.ph, Anime and Cosplay Expo 2016 is a unique event that brings together concepts launched during the Cosplay Carnival earlier in the year and sets the line-up of events at Cosplay Mania 2016 in October. In this way, it bridges the two events and creates a continuity between the events. At its core, however, it is a great stand-alone event on its own, with a surprisingly deep line-up of contests for everyone.
ACX is interesting as it is a departure from what seems to have become the formula for success at local anime conventions. Big-name foreign guests are substituted with more accessible local guests. In fact, at ACX, the spotlight shifts to the convention-goer where the stars become the contestants themselves as they compete for the chance to be the opening acts to big-name Anisong artists or to perform in Japan! The end-result is an event that celebrates local talent while preparing for a world-class convention without a huge price tag. It’s also an event that’s filled to the brim with activities, contests and games!
Held at SM Megamall’s Megatrade Hall 3, Anime and Cosplay Expo 2016 featured a spacious and roomy layout that eases movement for attendees while still having the right number of booths selling the many varied anime, cosplay and otaku merchandise that congoers simply cannot get enough of, like Cospmic Bytes Cosplay Shop and cool and trendy apparel from Perry in Disguise.
The stage is where the attendees get to be the stars as lots of contests were in store for everyone, with great prizes to boot. First up for the day was the Cosplay Karaoke Encore where talented contestants got to sing their favorite Japanese and anime songs on stage for a chance to go to Japan later this year to take part in a festival there. Each one gave their hearts out with each song, and the judges admitted they were surprised to see this level of talent on just the first day of ACX. and had a hard time choosing the three who would go on to compete in the finals, the Encore, on the last day of ACX.
Then came the Storage Wars auction, where the audience got to bid on a variety of desirable and adorable items at really low prices, most starting at just 1 peso.
Face Palm the Music is a game pitting individuals against each other, testing their knowledge and familiarity with songs, mostly from anime. The way of having to place one’s palm on the cheek of the human buzzer to signal their will to answer always gets fun reactions from the crowd.
Then it was trial by trivia at Trivia Throne Throwdown where participant “hold the throne” with their vast trivia knowledge, having challengers trying to usurp them by giving more correct answers. Up to 20 competitors will face off on September 2, 3 and 4 to see if they have what it takes to not only take, but hold the throne against all who would try to usurp it from them.
The Yoshinoya Gyudon Eating Contest has always been a crowd favorite, and contestants first got to be on stage by answering fun trivia about Yoshinoya. Once assembled, they had tom devour their meals before anyone else and shout “Yoshinoya.” Winners and participants got to receive gift certificates they can use to claim great meals at any Yoshinoya branch.
The first day of ACX closed with the Awarding Ceremony, as the winners from the various contests got to be on stage to receive recognition for their achievements and more imprortantly, receive their great prizes.
But this is just the first day of ACX, with two more to go, with lots more activities, games and contests lined up, so we hope you can join in the festivities as we continue our special coverage of all three days of the event.
Many thanks to our Cosplay Models Keileen and Ai Chi for helping us cover the event. We’re glad to report that they enjoyed themselves a lot.
Thank you for dropping by, and do visit us again for more cosplay features here at arkadymac.com.
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