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Celebrating its seventh year on its quest to deliver the best convention experience for fans of anime, cosplay and J-culture in the country, Anime & Cosplay Expo brought attendees an extraordinary world to explore and enjoy last July 15 and 16, 2023 at Function Rooms 4-5 of the SMX Convention Center Manila. With a multitude of attractions, exhibitors, contests, games, freebies, and with the wildly popular appearance and performance of special guest cosplayer Amelia Khor, was ACX 2023 definitely an adventure of epic proportions.
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ACX has already established itself as a major event on the community calendar, and for the past seven years ACX has always provided the many fandoms with the fun and excitement they have been longing and craving for. At the heart of the festivities was the lively and engaging stage program let by the sensational hosts: Jillian, Fatima and Kenkoy, who got to connect with the audience as they presented a jam-packed program on both days bursting with fun and entertainment.
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Providing smashing opening acts on both days were Vtubers Kirakirakat and Daybreak, with their many fans cheering along with the performances.
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ACX was about the fans, and they had their chance to shine with fun and engaging games for them like Emoji Master, Pick-a-Tune and Trick n’ Trivia.
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Cosplay Karaoke Encore has always been a big hit with fans, and a lot of the community’s best belters were on hand to deliver powerful performances on both days to the cheers of an adoring crowd. The winners were chosen by panels of talented judges which included ACX’s special guest, Amelia Khor.
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Solo Cosplay Catwalk got to see some of the most talented cosplayers battle it out on stage through striking and incredible performances. There were a number of awards up for grabs, and the winners were selected by the panel of talented judges which included outstanding cosplayers Zackt and Roxanne Kho and our website’s Model and Correspondent Jane Yu.
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Cosplay’s Got Talent saw sensational performances from contestants who were at the top of their game and truly enthralled the crowd with a variety of acts. Even though it was a difficult task, the panel of judges which included outstanding cosplayers Zackt and Roxanne Kho and ACX’s special guest, Amelia Khor got to ordain the winners, who, as an extra but coveted prize, will get to be the front act for the international artists at Cosplay Mania’s JAM concert later in the year.
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This year also saw ACX presenting its amazing guest cosplayer, Amelia Khor, a wildly popular anisong singer, cosplayer, gamer, Youtuber and streamer from Malaysia, making her first-ever appearance in the country. She has already toured much of Asia, enchanting her legions of fans with her spectacular cosplays and performances. She had Autograph Signing and Photography Sessions, as well as stage appearances and an interview. She got to surprise all of ACX’s attendees with her spectacular singing prowess and showmanship as she gave a wildly terrific performance that wowed the crowd.
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Also making ACX 2023 sinificant to the community was the announcement of guests for the biggest cosplay and J-culture event in the country, Cosplay Mania 2023. The attendees were thrilled to be the very first ones to find out who the guests for Cosplay Mania were. The first salvo of cosplayer guests included Dianne Sabandeja, Phil Mizuno, Clarissa Punipun, and Knite. For the much-awaited ?JAM Concert, it would be BMP150Q, Junna, Daoko and Nano.
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ACX was an extravaganza to satisfy the need to shop for all the merch anyone could wish for, with numerous booths and exhibitors to satisfy any self-respecting fan.
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With the many phenomenal attractions and entertainment presented in spades all weekend long, attendees and fans got to enjoy their experience at ACX 2023. We then look forward to the organizer’s biggest upcoming event and the biggest cosplay and J-culture event in the Philippines, Cosplay Mania!
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arkadymac.com is proud to have been the media partner for ACX 2023. Many thanks to our Correspondents Jane, Anmu, Yanna and Irene, and our Photographers Marvin, Mat, and Jake.
Thank you for dropping by, and do visit us again for more features here at arkadymac.com