Welcome, anime fans and fans of Japanese pop culture! If you're counting down the days, here's some exciting news for you – Anime Asia Singapore 2023, also known as #AFASG23, returns to Suntec Singapore Convention Center from November 24-26, and will be held by ACG (Anime, Comics, and Games) Amazing like never before!
From its humble beginnings in 2008 with just 30,000 attendees, Anime Asia Festival has grown five-fold, hosting a whopping 145,000 attendees in 2022. It's clear that anime has transcended niche interests to become a sensation. In 2023, the festival is set to return to its pre-Covid-19 glory, promising the most popular and sought-after content on the market right now. Get ready to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Asian Anime Festival!
Now let us delve into the most important events of this year:
Three star-studded nights of concert entertainment
From November 24 to 26, music and anime fans will enjoy three nights of entertainment featuring more than 20 amazing artists and bands. Tickets are selling like hotcakes, with AFA x hololiveMeet on November 25th already sold out, but you can still grab some tickets for AFA x I LOVE ANISONG on November 24th and AFA x SACRA MUSIC FES. On November 26th.
Highlights of AFA's nightly concerts include:
- November 24: I love Anisong which features artists like ASTERISM, Liyuu, May'n, NANO, Survive Saad The Prophet, and Tatsuya Kitani.
- November 25: hololive Meet, featuring a star-studded lineup like Sakura Miku, Hochimachi Suisei, Ayonda Risu, and many more.
- November 26: Sacra Music Fez. With artists like FLOW, ASCA and a special appearance by Nami Tamaki.
And if you were hoping for a VIP experience, we're sorry to break the news, but 3-day VIP ticket packages are already sold out. But do not be afraid; There is still a lot to look forward to!
Private cooperation
This year's festival presents a series of special collaborations that are sure to impress:
- Bushiroad Expo Asia 2023: Get ready for the Trading Card Game Championships, the 2023 Bushiroad Championship Series Regional Championship, and the Shadowverse: Evolve World Invitational 2023 Regional Qualifier. And if you're new to these games, there are merchandise sales, video game demos and tutorial sessions to help you learn the rules. Additionally, Japanese professional wrestling group STARDOM is scheduled to appear as part of the Bushiroad Expo.
- Ultraman: Brought to you by Tsuburaya Productions, enjoy Ultraman appearances, live stage performances and booth activities. And you won't want to miss the only life-sized inflatable Gomora at AFASG23. You can also be the first to play the Ultraman Card Game and get exclusive PR cards!
Highlights of the daily stage
The AFA Day Stage, in Hall 406, will be home to a series of performances, guest talk shows and more from November 24-26. Here's a sneak peek at what's in store:
- November 24: Special premiere of Chained Soldier and Tales of Wedding Rings with special guests Iori Moe and Shigure Ui.
- November 25: Seiyuus Ai Kayano, Yumi Uchiyama, and Sumire Uesaka will share their thoughts on the daytime stage.
- November 26: Seiyuu Soma Saito will be a special guest, and MAPPA will have special guests like Manabu Otsuka, Yuiichiro Hayashi, and Mari Okada. In addition to the card battle!! The Vanguard Talk Stage will feature even more exciting guests.
Exhibition: Akiba City
Get your wallet ready because Akiba is the place to shop! With over 70 exhibitors showcasing their latest merchandise, some of which are exclusive to the festival, you're in for a real treat.
Highlights include:
- HoYo FEST 2023: Online and offline events, exclusive merchandise, prizes, and live stage interactions. Participate in web sharing events to earn in-game rewards and physical prizes.
- Kotobukiya Store: In celebration of its 70th anniversary, Kotobukiya will be offering exclusive offers such as “TRANSFORMERS NEMESIS PRIME LIMITED EDITION BISHOUJO STATUE” and “DARKSTALKERS MORRIGAN LIMITED EDITION BISHOUJO STATUE”.
- Lead Inc.: is back with their line of plush toys, including huge 120cm plush toys.
- Media Link: Exclusive merchandise from popular anime such as “Oshi no Ko”, “Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury” and “Chainsaw Man”. In addition to special animation bags from Muse Communication.
- RURUSAMA: The creator/cosplayer is back with her own merchandise and her biggest booth yet.
Exhibition: Akiba Theater
Located within the exhibition areas, AFA's Akiba Theater will showcase dazzling performances by Japanese and local artists and talent, including:
- Japanese idol group DEAR KISS
- The forbidden equation of the idol group
- Singaporean virtual idol group SO*DA
- Popular idol group KissBee
- A musical showcase by four of V-Reverie's talents
- Friday Music Show on TikTok Live
- Virtual talent test
- Performed by Amelia Khor
- Pentel ft Manda Dayoyo on stage
Creators Center and Cosplay Center
More than 120 of the best innovators from around the world will participate in AFA's upcoming Innovators Hub. And if you're a fan of cosplay, you'll be happy to know that 26 famous cosplayers are making their way to AFASG23!
Enhance visitor experience
AFAVERSE is back to deliver a more immersive, game-like experience on site. Visitors will receive NFC-enabled bands to enhance the festival experience and interact with various touchpoints to earn AFA tokens for exciting prizes.
but this is not all! Organizers make sure your entry experience is smooth and efficient, with advanced recovery times, dedicated entry lanes, and streamlined security checks.
So what are you waiting for? Get ready to delve into all things Japanese culture at AFA Singapore 2023 with #AFASG23. It is a ticketed event, and all AFA tickets are available online via Ticketmaster at https://ticketmaster.sg/activity/detail/23_afasingapore. Ticket prices start from just S$28 per day for the exhibition sector.
Follow the official website or connect on social media to get the latest updates about the festival.
Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2023
- Dates: 24 – 26 November 2023
- Location: Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, Levels 3 and 4
- Timing: 10 AM – 8 PM
Get ready for a weekend filled with animation, music, cosplay and more
