My 1st Anime Festival Asia (AFA) was in 2009, when there was student price with no distinction between the exhibition and stage area. Then 2010 comes the "Festival + Stage Access" concept, but it was still largely affordable at $15/day.

Fast forward 13 years later, after a 213% inflation the ticket price has soared to $32 for a mere "exhibition" only access... Naturally I was not inclined to support such price hike and protested by attending and hanging out along the taped-out area.

While I was slightly bummed to miss out on the figurines showcase and booths hopping experience, I was not disappointed by the quality of cosplayers who guarded the free alleyway with me.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

Attendance time: 14:00 - 15:24

Immediately the Bleach cast caught my attention and I drifted to the main character to kick off my 1st shot. I noticed that he probably cut and put together the Shinigami outfit from rough cloths, kudos!

Hi Shinji, appreciate the funky expression & canon-slanted-straight bangs

Renji was a strong presence with the bankai props...

...Though not as strong as Urahara's giant puppet that helped to clear the pathway

A crazed-looking Sanemi Shinazugawa from Demon Slayer

One of the impressive Madoka Kanames spotted; due to the shooting hijack attempt I failed to notice the wings were perfectly perpendicular to the camera...

A pretty elf lady chilling by the figurine table

Of course, I had to throw in the iconic Ai & her "brother" Aquamarine. Also, her permed wig was looking fire

One of the favourite cosers (and is male!) whom I was admiring from afar who happened to bang into my shoulder, and I had to seize the opportunity ₍₍⁽⁽(ી(´◐ω◑` )ʃ)₎₎⁾⁾

Another dynamic pair who walked past & dazzled me with their coolness

Final coser from Brisbane is presents Rei from the classic Neon Genesis Evangelion, very petite & friendly lady *◡*

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

I hope to be able to continue the annual AFA tradition & there's some slim chance that they will adjust the tickets rates to Budget Friendly ｡ﾟﾉ

For the 1st time, the annual Cosplay Festival organised by the Singapore Cosplay Club was no longer held at the far East (i.e: D'Marquee @ Downtown East) & by virtue of the new location, I had to attend. It was a 1-day event held on 8/04/2023 (Sat), starting from 12:00 - 20:00.

How lucky for the tourists! I had a fun time rather openly watching their curious expressions.

Unfortunately, I did not purchase the $23 ticket to enter the Cosfest Hall. Thankfully, there were a sea of sight worthy cos-ers hanging out by the flooding entrance. No Itachi spotted, although his partner Kisame must have snuck out:

I was prepared for a gathering of the repeat Genshin characters (5 same character cosplay was the max spotted) and was pleasantly surprised by the unusual Bleach pairing strolling by:

Abarai Renji

Urahara Kisuke

(Really cute irl ><)

V-Tuber Shxtou

(Pronounced Shoto; I'm not well-versed in the virtual Youtuber scene, but apparently this was voiced by a Vietnamese-Amercian behind the avatar)

Doctor Strange: Scarlet Witch

Pulled off by resident Sephiroth & Alucard (feat. in EOY & AFA posts~) Imagine my delight spotting him again & again fufu

(Unknown) A beautiful sight captured in time

(Unknown) Another striking babe

(Unknown)

Immediately caught my attention, she literally just stood there & embodies elegance

A breath of fresh air to spot a hanfu lady

(This affirms my goal to do a hanfu shot in China)

Genshin Impact: Kamisato Ayaka, Springbloom Missive edition

(A very meticulous cos-er who ensured the chain behind her costume was properly fastened before attending to me)

Genshin Impact: Nahida

I did an internal fist of victory at her choice of camp site; the background could not have accentuated her elf theme better...

Genshin Impact: Hu Tao, a very popular character choice

Kamisama Hajimemashita: Tomoe

Whom I had interrupted amidst his (her) Mac lunch

Conclusion

Honestly, the experience was not the best - it was way too humid, crowded with insufficient photoshoot clearings. I experimented with close-up shots and realised it was compromised with the busy background and bad lighting. I also made a mistake and took some against the sunlight (which explained the overcast faces in some photos).

Regardless, I have met my photos KPI and might return to cos in the next event (かな?)

Signing off with Hako-san whirling a hammer~