Anime Festival Asia 2016 - Ending 2016 With A Bang!

Here it is, Anime Festival Asia! An annual anime exhibition event held in Singapore, AFA now is in its 9th iteration. In years before, I used to attend this event mainly for the anime / manga content, pretty cosplay included. However, my interests waned and now jumped towards the idoru sub-culture. Unless AFA has something that pips my interest, I would give this event a miss.

AFA again pulled out all stops to bring in the best content for the masses. From seiyuus, producers and cosplayers to the massive showcase that is the "Anisong Concert", loads of notable people graced this event. AFA has been well-aware that to bring the crowd, they have to diversify. We do see non-anime content like Moshi Moshi Nippon and NHK booths. What does this translate to? It means 'idols' graced the stage once again!





Apart from the 'anime themed idols' likes Wake-Up Girls and select members of the Idolm@ster & Love Live seiyuu groups, AFA brought in actual performing idol groups. First up we have NHK bringing in 3 members from Tokyo Performance Doll for their Domobics collaboration.

Tokyo Performance Doll: Nana-Domo, Kaho-Domo & Rako-Domo

I could'nt contain my joy because one of the members attending is Nana Terashima! Truthfully, I missed all TPD's performances in TIF this year. So, this chance isnt one to be missed. Nana speaks fluent English. This is due to the fact she resided in Singapore for 3 years before. The high energy performance from TPD draws quite a crowd though the setlist they played is the full version of Domobics and the condensed version of their own songs.

After their stage events, they held a mini "Meet & Greet" session at the NHK booth. There, they promote their 'Domobics' collaboration. And those who downloaded the NHK app will be presented a ticket that allows them to enter the mini 'Jankenpon' tournament at the end of the session.

Nana Domo

Rako Domo

Kaho Domo

Those enter can also join in their competition where they can upload their dance videos of Domobics and NHK will pick the best ones. Nana said a special prize awaits the winners!

Fan won a TPD signed folder!

IKETERU HEARTS, Winners of CHEERZ Contest 2016

Next on the idol list is the return of Iketeru Hearts! Member Yuyu Arata won a contest on CHEERZ which resulted in having Iketeru Hearts to perform in Singapore again. As with last year, they have some high energy performances on the Akiba Stage. Sadly, member Usami Madoka was unable to attend due to falling sick. However, it doesnt deter Iketeru Hearts from giving a solid performance.

Iketeru Hearts & Natsuiro Party together

Cute Nijika

Yuno!

I also did a collaboration with Daniel again, this time we did an interview with them. You can read the article here! > http://xdanthemanx.blogspot.sg/2016/12/iketeru-hearts-afa-interview-making-iketeru-a-universal-word.html



On sidenote, Karin Ochi remembered me and got frustrated when I asked her to do the Heart Pose.

Karin with Haato Possu

Niji No Conquistadors: The Final Gachikoi!

Lastly, Nijicon again returned to AFA! This time is a cut from 5 members to 3 attending. No regrets though as I managed to see the other members during TIF and AFA TH. The members for this event were Akari Nakamura, Moe Tsurumi and Nonoka Okumura. This time is special because all of them are in cosplay for both days.

The trio in cosplay

Although they only fly off on the evening before and just landed in the afternoon, they still put a professional front. The performance that is 'Triangle Dreamer" unites everyone and the gachikoi cheer was shouted in unison.

Fans from all background cheering for Nijicon

After their performance, we can have photos taken with them at the Canon booth and they would give out CDs and 'uchiwas'. Also, similar to how they do it in Thailand, theres another collaboration at the Moshi Moshi Nippon booth. This time is giving out miso soup. End of the event, another photo session where you can take selfies with individual members.

Nijcon serving Miso soup

Manager-san, Akarin and Nonota

Nonota blur look

And AFA exhibition stage ended in a unique fashion with Pikataro doing his famed PPAP performance. Yeap, Pikataro attended AFA too! Look at the video shared by XDanTheManX Online below




In conclusion, my body becomes weary now and seriously unable to catch up with the latest anime / manga trends. With AFA going to it's 10 year anniversary next year, I'm guessing that will be the final AFA I be attending. Hopefully it be the biggest ever and more idols are able to attend. Heres to wish for a Nijicon full team and perhaps Momoiro Clover Z to grace the stage!