arkadymac.com was at Toku Con Manila 2014 over the weekend, and as their official media partner we are happy to bring you scenes from the second day of festivities as fans gathered at the event hall on the fourth floor of Green Sun Hotel in Manila for a day-long celebration of camaraderie, respect, nostalgia, and admiration of tokusatsu.
With a fresh concept, a brand-new venue, and many interesting features and attractions, Toku Con Manila went on strong on its second day with the promise of being one of the newest, most exciting otaku and cosplay event this season. ICozplay Events Management in cooperation with MyPhone and Green Sun have teamed up to bring the Philippines’ first major tokusatsu-themed event as Toku Con Manila on October 18-19, 2014 at Green Sun in Makati, with everyone invited to come and enjoy in the festivities of this two-day spectacle.
Tokusatsu is a Japanese term that applies to any live-action film or television drama that features considerable use of special effects and these often deals with science fiction, fantasy or horror. The most popular types of tokusatsu include kaiju monster movies like the Godzilla and Gamera film series; superhero TV serials such as the Kamen Rider and Metal Hero series; and mecha dramas like Giant Robo. Tokusatsu is one of the most popular forms of Japanese entertainment, and here in the Philippines, generations of Filipinos grew up watching tokusatsu shows on free TV, as they admired the interesting stories, flashy action scenes, and the colorful characters that play in them. Toku Con wishes to grasp that nostalgia and admiration and hold an event that celebrates fan’s unceasing love for this genre.
The new venue at Green Sun featured an astounding 360-degree video wall to add a whole-new dimension to the otaku convention experience. The event featured exhibits and toy galleries from the country’s top collectors and shops, like the Godzilla gallery. All around the event hall are various booths with a variety of merchandise that cater to all sorts of fancies.
There was a film showing and digital raffle draws throughout the duration of the event, with the program hosted by the incomparable Ms. Faith. She had kept the attendees alive and on their toes as she facilitated the many games and surprises Tokucon had prepared for everyone. All-girl dance group Raindrop was thereto delight the crowd with exciting dance numbers.
There was a panel discussion about tokusatsu shows and toys led by prominent local voice dubbers Montreal Lipuyan, Earl Palma and Danny Diamante, and some avid toy collectors, getting into very interesting and fascinating discussions with the audience who too are well familiar with the subject at hand.
Cosplay is an important part of Toku Con, of course, and contests will ran both days: Day 1 for the Group and Chibi Open Genre Cosplay Contest and Day 2 features the Individual Category – Open Genre Cosplay Contest (Except Tokusatsu), Tokusatsu Battle Royale Cosplay Contest (Individual Vs. Chibi Vs. Duo Vs. Group). A lot of folks came in tokusatsu-themed cosplay, and they reveled in the chance where their particular genre get the spotlight.
The toy and item auction held at the end of the program was surprisingly a big hit as attendees battled it out for great deals on various merchandise. I personally was not spared as I bought 3 items which I later gave away to friends.
Carlo Pablo, head of IEM Events, organizer of Toku Con, personally thanked everyone who attended and promised even better and even bigger events in the near future. All in all, Toku Con Manila 2014 was truly a one-of-a-kind event as it brought tokusatsu fans together and gave the rare chance to celebrate and share the fun and excitement that it has given to generations of followers all over the world, with Filipinos showing they truly are some of the most ardent fans in existence.
Thank you for dropping by, and do visit us again for more features here at arkadymac.com. Please click on an image to view slideshow. If you are a cosplayer and have a photo here, feel free to grab and use as you wish. Thank you for posing for us.
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