Japan is undoubtedly one of the world’s most visited and well-loved countries. Many love the place for its many attractions, but many also love the culture there, including the otaku culture. Even with the recent announcements that we can travel to Japan now, many of us wouldn’t be able to, but fret not, because with Anime Festival Asia (AFA) returning to Singapore, we got a little slice of Japan coming to us!
Held from 25 to 27 November 2022 from 10am to 8pm at the Suntec City Convention Centre, it will be AFA’s first physical event for the first time in two years. This year’s theme of “AFAverse” promises to cater to ACG (Animation, Comics and Games) fans, as well as Japanese pop-culture enthusiasts. The convention will be gamified, with game-like elements strewn all around the festival ground, ranging from anime and game experiences direct from Japan, to an expanded AFA Creators Hub, allowing local creators to showcase their works.
Part of the first wave of entertainment events that will take place during AFA includes AFA Night Live! which will be held from 26-27 November 2022. It will include acts such as “hololive Meet”, “Watame Night Fever”, and “I Love Anisong 2022”.
hololive Meet allows fans of the popular Vtuber group “hololive” to have an interactive live talk show, as well as a meet and greet with some of the most celebrated Vtubers in the world. With a star-studded lineup consisting of talents such as Gawr Gura and Mori Calliope from hololive English, Moona Hoshinova and Anya Melfissa from hololive Indonesia, it’ll be one to remember for its fans.
Focusing on Watame Night Fever, held by hololive Japan’s Tsunomaki Watame, who will be performing a live virtual 3D concert for the fans, including her singing and fan interactions, so do look forward to this too!
Last but not least, there’s I Love Anisong 2022, where four artists and artiste groups, together with three special showcases by virtual talents, make up a four-hour concert which is sure to live long in the memory of the viewers. Some of the artists announced are: JUNNA, May’n, nanawoakari, NHOT BOT and Yuka Nagase, who are all prominent figures in the Anisong scene.
Fans can purchase a 2-day VIP Ticket Package right now, where they can stand a chance to ballot for a meet and greet during the hololive Meet event, along with a chance to get autographs for selected I Love Anisong 2022 performing artists, or win autographed posters!
Regular ticket prices start from S$21, for a Day Pass with access to the Exhibition Hall. You can also upgrade it to get a Day Pass to the Stage for S$32. With these tickets going on sale from 30 September, move fast, or you’ll miss your chance to attend AFA 2022.
More details can be found on AFA’s social media and the AFA official website. They will also be updating the artist roster frequently, so be sure to check them often!
Event Details
Date: 25 to 27 November 2022
Price: S$21 (Day Pass; Exhibition Hall), S$32 (Day Pass; Exhibition Hall + Stage), S$188 (Full Pass (Both Days); Exhibition Hall + Stage + AFA Night LIVE!)
Location: Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, 1 Raffles Blvd, Singapore 039593
Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster from 30 September.
Visuals courtesy of AFA 2022 and SOZO.
