Anime Festival Asia in Singapore

I missed out Singapore’s inaugural Anime Festival Asia held at Suntec City Convention over the weekend.  I had to attend another convention elsewhere over those 2 days.  It was an unfortunate clash of events for me.

One of my pony collector pals went there on those 2 days and told me it was so-so.  He was there to check out the prospects of working in the anime industry.  He found the school fees (about SGD 8,000 per semester, for 4 years) for a graphic design diploma course being offered by one of the exhibitors there, really high.

My other pony collector friend, (known as “Yuanie” on MLP Arena) also was there to participate in the Cosplay competition on Sunday and her team won!  Congratulations to her once more!  She has her own Cosplay website and matching Cosplay blog too.  Check them out to view Cosplay costumes made and worn by her!

According to the local papers, the turnout of the Anime Fest was about 80,000, as compared to the 140,000 crowd during the Singapore Toy and Comic Convention (STCC) held there in June 2008.  The Anime Fest charged SGD 5.00 per entry (or SGD 8.00 for 2 days entry) while the STCC was free entry.  As the visitors’ demographic for both events were quite similar, there was talk that the 2 events might be merged next year.

I hope that whatever the organisers decided for next year, they will not charge for entry to both events.  That should encourage more visitors to come and shop.  I would feel reluctant to enter if I had to pay for it.  After all I’m not that a hardcore fan that I must enter.