Some of us might have the misconception that cosplay conventions are only for the hardcore anime-lovers and socially awkward otakus, but that’s not true. Anybody and everybody can appreciate cosplay – it’s an art form.
Even if you’ve only watched Doraemon or Pokemon growing up, you’ll still be able to enjoy the experience of taking pictures with some bomb-ass cosplayers and admiring their insanely elaborate costumes.
Here are 7 cosplay conventions you need to check out in Singapore over 2019:
Gardens by the Bay is holding a Sakura Festival where you’ll get to see cherry blossoms without having to travel overseas.
There’ll be loads to do, from playing traditional Japanese festival games to sampling authentic Japanese food, and viewing family-friendly anime films such as Crayon Shinchan the Movie: Bakumori! Kung Fu Boys -Ramen Chaos-.
Image credit: @asanoyasg
Cosplayers can hold photoshoots there with the cherry blossoms as the backdrop – no need to book an expensive studio or Photoshop extensively. And visitors can look forward to spotting their favourite anime characters IRL and celebrity cosplayers such as Mon from Taiwan, and Luffy and Olivie from Hong Kong.
Image credit: @monpink11
Date & Time: 30th-31st March 2019 | 4PM-11.30PM
Venue: The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay
Admission: Free
Doujin Market is a place where aspiring artists congregate and sell their fanart or self-made merchandise. Pick up some cute keychains of your favourite anime character or a few art prints to show your support for the artists.
Besides that, you might get to meet some well-known veteran artists and learn more about anime and manga here.
Date & Time: 4th-5th May 2019 | 12PM-7PM
Venue: Hall 401-402, Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre
Admission: Free
Image credit: Cosfest
Cosfest is one of the few events held specifically for cosplay in Singapore, with each year having a different theme for cosplayers to follow.
This year’s theme, Waterworld, follows the story of a water cosmos dragon, and all event activities, as well as the cosplay competition, will be in line with the given concept.
As with many of the other conventions, there will be artists setting up booths to sell their merchandise and cosplay-related items.
Date & Time: 20th-21st July 2019 | 11AM-7PM
Venue: Downtown East – Wild Wild Wet (Waterworld) and D’Marquee (A Link to Your Fantasy)
Admission: Free
Image credit: @mrdeadpoolio
SG Comic Con has a pretty self-explanatory name. If you’re big on Marvel and DC, and love comics or gaming, you should definitely mark this event down on your calendar.
You’ll find your favourite superheroes strutting around in their costumes, from Spiderman to Deadpool and Transformers. There’s also a cosplay competition, so expect to see some seriously detailed and elaborate costumes.
Date & Time: December (TBC)
Venue: Sands Expo and Convention Center, Marina Bay Sands
Admission: TBC
If you wake up in the morning thinking about games, you can’t miss out on GameStart. Many of the newly released card games, board games and of course, video games are gonna be there for you to check out.
Image credit: GameStart Asia
Game lovers might even get the opportunity to find out more about upcoming games at this event, or speak to game creators themselves and get some juicy BTS details.
Image credit: GameStart Asia
There’s a cosplay competition and tons of cosplayers will be walking around, so grab the opportunity to snap a commemorative selfie with your favourite in-game character.
Date: 12th-13th October 2019
Venue: Hall 401-403, Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre
Admission: TBC
Image credit: @foodchow
Most anime fans would know of Anime Festival Asia (AFA). It’s the biggest anime convention ever in Singapore – last year alone, it attracted over 105,000 visitors.
Visit the creator’s booths and fill your bag up with keychains, posters, standees and more.
Talks and performances will be held at the main stage while meet-and-greet sessions are scattered across the convention hall booths so you can catch your favourite celebrity cosplayers.
Date & Time: End November to early December (TBC)
Venue: Hall 401-403, Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre
Admission: TBC
The EOY J-Culture Festival is a convention for everything and anything Japanese-related. It’s basically a rojak of Japanese fashion, cosplay, anime, and food all tossed together.
Image credit: @oc_kun_7alp959
Don’t forget to buy a waifu body pillow or a printed hoodie while you’re there!
Date & Time: 28th-29th December 2019
Venue: Hall 401-403, Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre
Admission: TBC
Some of us grew up on legendary anime series such as One Piece, Naruto and Bleach – so attending cosplay conventions are a regular thing for us. After all, it’s always thrilling to see our favourite characters come to life.
But even if you’ve never watched anime, you can still attend a cosplay convention to learn more about this intriguing hobby. You may not be able to recognise the characters, but you can still appreciate the blood, sweat, and tears that the cosplayers have put into making their costumes.
Here are all the best things to do this weekend in Singapore.
Just an hour away from KL!
Taichung is only an hour by High Speed Rail from Taipei or Taoyuan station.
No more stressing over what to get your loved ones for Christmas.
Gone are the days when family photoshoots used to be boring and extra formal.
Meet new-to-Singapore species as well.