Going strong on its 9th year of bringing the joys of anime and cosplay to fans here and abroad, ACX got to deliver an engaging and fun-filled convention experience last July 19 and 20, 2025 at Function Rooms 4-5 of SMX Convention Center Manila. With a fantastic flood of enjoyable attractions, contests, games, exhibitors, special guests and performers, Anime and Cosplay Expo 2025 has proven to be its biggest edition yet.
Being the third installment in the “Season of Cosplay” series for 2025, ACX was a cool and refreshing mid-year celebration of the many fandoms with the engagement and excitement they have been longing and craving for. At the heart of the festivities was the lively and fascinating stage program let by its incredible hosts: Naru, Jill, Jet, and Kenkoy, who all connected with the audience as they presented the jam-packed program on both days flooded with unbelievable attractions and entertainment.
Providing each day of the event with sensational performances were the opening acts of last year’s JAM Concert: CoMets and W-UNI, who dazzled the audience with exceptional talent. They highlighted the high stakes involved in the Cosplay’s Got Talent contest later at the event.
ACX has always been about the fans, and they had their chance to shine with fun and engaging games activities for them to enjoy, like Cosplay Auctions, Open Mic Karaoke, Shadow Play, and Don’t Skip the Intro.
Yoshinoya also had their famous Gyudon Eating Contest, that got to highlight their world-famous gyudon beef bowl. Many lucky participants got to join in the contest, hosted by Rose Ko. Aside from getting a free filling and delicious meal, some of the contestants even got to win great prizes for winning the challenge.
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: Meiji Purin, Mui Mui, Adz, and ACX’s guest cosplayer, Kanalyss.
Cosplay Contenders got to see some of the most talented cosplayers battle it out on stage through striking and incredible performances in head-to-head match-ups. The winners were selected by the panel of talented judges which included arkadymac.com’s Correspondet Vanessa, Kibi and Gibs Sagun.
Cosplay’s Got Talent got to display 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 arkadymac.com’s Correspondet Vanessa, Kibi and ACX’s guest cosplayer, Kanalyss, got to ordain the winners, who, as an extra but very much coveted prize, will get to be the front act for the international artists at Cosplay Mania’s JAM concert in October.
ACX 2025 proudly presented its amazing guest cosplayer Kanalyss who enchanted her many fans with an astounding performance on Day 1 and a special interview on Day 2. She also judged at the contests as well as having Autograph Signing and Photography Sessions all weekend long.
Also making ACX 2025 significant to the community was the announcement of guests for the biggest cosplay and J-culture event in the country, Cosplay Mania 2025. The attendees were thrilled to be the very first ones to find out who the guests for Cosplay Mania were. The first salvo of guests included renowned cosplayers Thames and Le Josette, guest voice actor Jacob Takanashi and stage actors Kairi Miura, and Kousuke Asuma. Also announced were outstanding guest Vtubers :Jurard T Rexford, Goldbullet, Octavio, Crimzon Ruze, and Unnämed.
The much-awaited JAM Concert will feature sensational Youtubers and Japanese artists: Octavio, Sangatsu no Phantasia, STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION, TRUE, Unnamed, angela, and Shouta Aoi!.
Over a hundred merchants and booths got to offer so much merch and items the community loves so much. It was like a mid-year madness sale of wonderful toys, figures, collectibles, clothing, and cosplay and fashion accessories one cannot find anywhere else.
With the many phenomenal attractions and entertainment presented all weekend long, attendees and fans got to enjoy their experience at ACX 2025 despite the inclement weather. We then look forward to the organizer’s biggest upcoming event and the biggest cosplay and J-culture event in the Philippines, Cosplay Mania 2025.
arkadymac.com is proud to have been the media partner for ACX 2025. Many thanks to our Editor-in-Chief Jillian, our Correspondents Naru, Vanessa, Yanna and Jane, and our Photographers Marvin, Marivic and Ru.
Thank you for dropping by, and do visit us again for more features here at arkadymac.com
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