Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2023, also known as #AFASG23, is returning to the Suntec Singapore Convention Centre from November 24 to 26, 2023. The event, which celebrates 15 years of bringing Anime, Comics, and Games (ACG) enthusiasts together, promises an array of exciting offerings and has grown significantly over the years.
Founded in 2008 with just 30,000 attendees, the festival has significantly grown, with 145,000 attendees in 2022. Shawn Chin, Founder of SOZO and organizer of AFASG23, noted the transition of anime from niche to mainstream, and in 2023, they’re excited to offer popular and trending content, returning to pre-COVID offerings.
One of the major attractions of the festival is the three nights of star-studded concerts featuring over 20 artists and groups. Notably, tickets for the AFA x hololiveMeet on November 25 have already sold out, but a few tickets remain for the AFA x I LOVE ANISONG on November 24 and AFA x SACRA MUSIC FES. on November 26. The concert lineup will feature:
- I Love Anisong: Artists include ASTERISM, Liyuu, May’n, NANO, Survive Said The Prophet, and Tatsuya Kitani.
- hololiveMeet: Nine artists, including Sakura Miko, Hoshimachi Suisei, Ayunda Risu, Moona Hoshinova, Pavolia Reine, Kobo Kanaeru, Mori Calliope, IRyS, and Hakos Baelz, will participate in talk shows and a concert.
- SACRA MUSIC FES.: This lineup features FLOW, ASCA, halca, spira spica, and a special appearance by Nami Tamaki.
The festival will also host special collaborations, such as Bushiroad Expo Asia 2023, featuring trading card game tournaments and appearances by the Japanese women’s professional wrestling group STARDOM. Tsuburaya Productions will bring Ultraman to life with appearances, live stage performances, and exclusive activities.
For those looking for a more laid-back experience, the AFA Day Stage at Hall 406 will offer screenings and guest talk shows. The stage will host prominent figures like Seiyuus Ai Kayano, Yumi Uchiyama, and Soma Saito, along with representatives from MAPPA. Additionally, Cardfight!! Vanguard Talk Stage will feature Seiyuus Amane Shindo, Yuka Nishio, and Hina Aoki.
The festival’s Exhibition: Akiba Town will be a paradise for shoppers, with more than 70 exhibitors showcasing their latest merchandise. Highlights include HoYo FEST 2023, Kotobukiya Store exclusives, Lead Inc.’s cat plush toys, and exclusive merchandise from MEDIA LINK. RURUSAMA, a content creator/cosplayer, is also making a return with her biggest booth yet.
AFA’s Akiba Stage will showcase Japanese and local artists and talents, including performances by popular idol groups like DEAR KISS, Forbidden Equation, and KissBee’s selected members. Virtual Talent Audition by Ziku-management Inc. and a multimedia project by Merryweather Media, ASTRALINE, are among the various entertainment offerings.
Cosplay enthusiasts can participate in the Cosplay Singles Competition, where the winner not only receives a cash prize of $1,200 but also a chance to establish themselves as a professional cosplayer.
AFAVERSE, an immersive game-like experience, will return to the festival grounds, offering NFC-enabled bands to enhance the visitor experience. These bands allow attendees to access schedules, and floorplans, and interact with various touch points, earning AFA-Coins to redeem exciting prizes.
To streamline entry, organizers have implemented advanced redemption times, dedicated entry lanes for different ticket types, and efficient security checks, ensuring a seamless festival experience with safety in mind.
Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2023 is a ticketed event, and tickets are available online via Ticketmaster, with prices starting from S$28 per day for the exhibition segment.
Stay updated on the latest festival details through the official site and social media channels.
