[Singapore] Anime Festival Asia 2011

Anime Festival Asia 2011 (AFA11) is back in Singapore for it's 3rd year running. Located in the Suntec City Convention & Exhibition Hall from November 11th to 13th, this year's AFA promises to be bigger and more exciting not just for the public, but also for those in the industry.

Anime Festival Asia 2011
Date: 11 November 2011 - 13 November 2011
Location: Suntec City Halls 402 - 404

Official Website: http://www.animefestival.asia
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/animefestivalasia
Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/animefestival11

Spanning 3 days with lots of big artists and loads of events taking place, lets take a look at them day by day.


November 11 2011

On the first day is the Cool Japan Forum. The industry side of AFA. Want to work in the anime or pop culture industry in Japan in the future? Then be sure to attend this 1-day conference with the tops minds from various industries in Japan.

The guest list for the Cool Japan Forum are:
Mr. Keiichiro Hirano: Renowned Japanese Novelist and Akutagawa Prize Winner
Mr. Haruhiko Mikimoto: Renowned Japanese Illustrator and Character Designer
Mr. Sampei Yamaguchi: Sony Music Artistes
Mr. Tow Ubukata: Renowned Novelist
Dr. Nissim Otmazgin: Japanese Pop Culture Specialist

Tickets are priced at $85 and does not include entrance to AFA11.

And in the evening is the first of the 3 day I <3 Anisong concert. A huge sellout the past 2 years, this year's I <3 Anisong will take on a rockish theme titled [ROCK YOUR SOUL!!!].

And to kick off this wonderful mind-numbing experience is the world famous Hatsune Miku, who will be singing and dancing on stage in 3D holograph as if she was alive, and accompanied by 5 live musicians.

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November 12 2011

Day 2 begins with Culture Japan: Season Two Showcase presented by Danny Choo, one of the most famous and influential bloggers in Japan, and is also the AFA11 Main Stage Host.

Are you a fan of self-declared tsundere, Senjougahara Hitagi from Bakemonogatari? What about Akemi Homura from Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica? Look forward to seeing the person behind those characters, Saito Chiwa, on Day 2! She will also be doing a live-dubbing season of her past roles, including her most recent role in Madoka Magica.

There will be an anisong concert featuring FLOW, Mizuki Ichiro, LiSA and Sea☆A in the evening. More details on each artiste here.

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November 13 2011

I'm sure this is the day many of us have been waiting for. An AKB48 Special from 12pm to 12:45pm. No other information on this event is available at the time this article is written.

AnoHana showcase with the Director, Nagai Tatsuyuki, Scriptwriter, Okada Mari (she will also be in charge of the script for the upcoming AKB48 anime), and the Character Designer, Tanaka Masayoshi.

For fans of cosplay, the Regional Cosplay Championship 2011 featuring top cosplayers from various South-east Asia countries will be held on the last day of the festival. Celebrity cosplayer, USAGI, will also be one of the judges for the event. Her phototaking sesson will also take place during the event.

Again, there will be an anisong concert in the evening, this time it features angela, Kalafina, Ito Kanako, May'n and Milky Holmes. More details on each artiste here.

Other than stage events, be sure to check out Akiba Town, featuring an even wider selection of toys and merchandise from top Japan brands and anime titles as compared to previous years, spanning almost entire two halls of the exhibition grounds. And of course visit the Moe Moe Kyun Café and Wonderland Atelier Royale, the maids and butlers surely will make you feel at home. お帰りなさいませ、ご主人様、お嬢様。

With all these amazing performances and events, what are you still waiting for? Get your tickets now at various outlets in advance or you can choose to purchase them on the day of the event itself. More details on ticketing here. Please take note that the tickets for the festival and concerts are sold separately.