OTAKUFEST, the most anticipated hobby convention in the Visayas, is back! It promises yet another year of new and exciting events for anime fans, cosplayers and hobbyists everywhere.
After innovating with a purely online convention in 2021, Otakufest blooms this year with the theme, “Rebirth,” to celebrate the country reopening to physical events after two years of lockdowns. The event will officially run from Nov. 12 to 13, and will take place at J Centre Mall’s Convention Hall.
The event has always found a way to return every year thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Otakufest staff and volunteers. But Otakufest 2022 will certainly be a new experience for all—even for the team, with its first collaboration between the anime and manga enthusiast group, Cebu Cosplayers Guild.
Con-goers will be thrilled to find that Otakufest’s signature segments will once more be on the big stage: Cosplay Competition, Asian Pop Dance Competition, and Japanese Singing Competition. The event has also added new activities to its roster this year, such as the Mobile Legends Tournament, Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament, Cardfight Vanguard Tournament, and plenty more on-the-day events everyone can participate in to win prizes.
That’s not all Otakufest 2022 is bringing to the table! Con-goers will get the chance to meet guests such as Cebuano cosplayer Charess and Malaysian cosplayer Sally - Dorasnow. With the rise in popularity of Vtubers in the country, Vtuber Pokato Grylls will also make a brief appearance at the event to say hello.
As an event that has always been for people with a passion for fandoms, Otakufest 2022 has gathered booths selling a variety of merchandise ranging from anime figurines to K-pop merch The convention will also be featuring various talented and local artists who will be selling art and personalized merchandise on both days of the event.
For people more interested to learn a thing or two, Otakufest 2022 will also be hosting free workshops. Aspiring animators and artists can look forward to the animation workshop by Emot Toons and Cebu Animation Guild held on both days. Meanwhile, cosplayers who’d like to refine their craft and talent can come to the cosplay skit-making workshop by Team Class S, and the prop-making workshop by Team Zero Cosplay.
Walk-in rate for the event is P220. For more details, follow its page for updates at facebook.com/ofest, twitter.com/otakufestph, instagram.com/otakufestph.
Doors to Otakufest 2022 are open at 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 12 and 13. The event is presented to the public by: Phoenix Kospurei Shoppu and Cougar, and is co-presented by: Jellyfish Education and Nonki Japanese Shop.
Otakufest 2022 is brought to the public by major sponsors: URC, Jack n’ Jill, and Great Taste, as well as minor sponsors: Inkplace, Little Kyoto, Sachi Cabancalan, Dual Story and Nature’s Springs. (PR)