Already on its ninth spectacular year, the biggest cosplay event in the country just can’t be stopped as it opened to much fanfare October 1 at the SMX Convention Center. Cosplay Mania has become an institution in the Philippines which has stepped up its offerings to its devoted followers in record numbers year after year. Cosplay Mania ’16 has promised to be the biggest ever, further raising the bar on how cosplay events are done in the country as it launched the Cosplay Mania Event Series and partnering with Sozo to bring I Love Anisong to the Philippines for the first time in history.
Helping us cover the event are our our photographers Keileen and Mitch, Coverage Partner Jillian and our Cosplay Model Sage, who got to see and enjoy for themselves what Cosplay Mania ’16 was all about.
Highlighting this year’s biggest cosplay-centric event are 10 huge international guests: Yukari Shimotsuki, DD-Tenka, Kirisaki, Rumi, Tomia, Hiko, Ruka, Kaname, Baozi and Hana! Hailing from China, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan, these guests are all truly amazing at their craft and are unparalleled in their popularity. Cosplay Mania offers a great opportunity to meet anf greet them all in person and watch them on stage.
This year, the number of contests cosplayers can join is staggering. Starting with Hall EX, there will be Cosplay Masquerade where secret judges will seek out the best cosplayers hanging out at the convention and give them special awards. This year, Cosplay Mania will also be having the first-ever Cosplay Idol Group contest where aspiring Idol Groups will present their best costumes and performances for a chance to be recognized by Little Akiba Project of Japan plus a cash prize of 50,000 Yen! But for day one there was the Solo Cosplay Showdown and Group Cosplay where cosplayers put on their best performances in their amazing costumes in different categories, jusdged by no less than the international cosplayer guests. Over at Hall SP, there will be a Cosplay Solo Showdown and Cosplay Team Battle on Day 1 and Cosplay: Tournament of Champions and Cosplay Mania Cup on Day 2. Here, you can catch a glimpse of the best cosplayers in the Philippines as they vie for top honors in the biggest cosplay event in the country.
The TORCH Tournament of Champions finalists were also presented to the attendees. The TORCH represents the best cosplayer teams from all over the country, all to compete on Day 2 for huge prizes and the opportunity to represent the Philippines in prestigious international events.
A total of 120 exhibits will be present at Cosplay Mania this year categorized into zones: Blockbuster, Lifestyle, Gaming, Collectibles, Meals and Fan Fair. Foreign and local sponsors and exhibitors will be present many with fun activities to draw in the crowds. You can be sure that there will be tons of merchandise available including hard-to- find items and convention exclusives. There will also be tons of off-stage activities such as a Photo Op with a Dragonball Super Saiyan-inspired Design, a Classroom Design and much more! Plus, there will be gaming machines such as the Quantum-exclusive Pokemon Tretta.
Exhibitors like Cosmic Bytes Cosplay Shop offers the latest anime goodies and merchandise and cosplay essentials like lenses and accessories at very reasonable prices and even with discounts. For more of their offerings, visit their FB page at https://www.facebook.com/cosmicbytes.cosplayshop/
Offering the latest in designs and with high quality, The Purpektion Shop have just the right contact lenses you need. For more of their offerings and selections, visit https://www.facebook.com/thepurpektionshop/
The best anime, comic and game-inspired hoodies can be found at Perry in Disguise, with a great selection of apparel, clothing and miscellany that caters to a wide range of preferences, like their newest offering, a 707 of Mystic Messenger inspired hoodie, inspired hoodie, which you can have ordered at their page: https://www.facebook.com/clothing.PID/
Attendees can also get to enjoy the event with peace of mind knowing their baggage is safe at Lock & Leave, a great, affordable and secure new service at cosplay and anime events. For only 120 for the whole day, you can leave your baggage at secure lockers while being assisted by courteous staff. Reasonable hourly rates also available. Everyone on our team like our Photographer and Cosplay Model Keileen has tried their service many times already and we can do our coverage all day without worries as we can leave our stuff behind.
Cosplay Mania is partnering with Sozo this year to bring the first-ever I <3 Anisong Concert to the Philippines! The concert will have amazing performers from Japan such as Tokyo Performance Domo, Starmarie, Kanako Ito, Riho Iida and the blockbuster band Back-On! The concert, dubbed Cosplay Mania Jam X I <3 Anisong, will feature reserved VIP Seating and a Premium Standing Area as well as all the bells and whistles you may have come to expect for a world-class concert. VIP’s will be provided Lumica Light sticks for free to light up the both evenings in style.
All these were in store for attendees during Day 1, but even more exciting attractions, features and surprises are still in store for Day 2, so do drop by SMX to see what makes Cosplay Mania the biggest cosplaye event in the country.
Thank you for dropping by, and do visit us again for our coverage of Cosplay Mania Day 2.
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