Sneak Peek SGCC 2022 At City Square Mall This Weekend

Hi Huneybees,

As Singapore becomes more COVID-resilient and the easing of measures, events are coming back and one to look forward to is the annual Singapore Comic Con (SGCC). There's a sneak peek at what's to come this weekend (8 and 9 October 2022) at City Square Mall, where you can get to see some of the exclusive merch, meet and greet local artists as well as cosplayers from Impact Fantasy. Here's more of the lineup:

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Meet P4L

Kickstart the day by saying hello to the Official Mascot of SGCC who will be making its appearance for the first time ever! Meet P4L* ("pop culture 4 Life!") uniquely designed by Mighty Jaxx up close and personal, all decked out in its adorable robo-onesie and very own homemade tricked-out robo helmet. An avid lover of all things fun and trendy, P4L will be your guide for the entire day at City Square Mall.

*P4L appearance: 12pm - 12.30pm, 3pm - 3.30pm, 4.30pm - 5pm, 6pm - 6.30pm & 7.30pm - 8pm

FightSaber Singapore & Kranak Clan

Feel the force with FightSaber, an international Star Wars costuming organization bonded by a common appreciation for the movies, costuming, and a love for the performing arts, and be wowed by the Kranak Clan - Mando Mercs Singapore. The Jedis and Mandalorians promise to bring a spectacular representation of the all-time fan favourite Star Wars movies. Don’t forget to snap a picture during the meet and greet sessions at 1pm and 3pm on both days.

Learn to play Dungeons & Dragons with Gamersaurus Rex

With the recent hype after being featured in the Netflix originals Stranger Things and Riverdale, pop culture fans are no strangers to this best-selling fantasy game from the 1970s. Dungeons & Dragons sessions are hosted by Gamesaurus Rex and are free for all. Come down in groups of 4 to kickstart your own game of Dungeons & Dragons or party up with fellow adventurers! No prior sign-ups are required.

Paint a Space Marine miniature with Gamersaurus Rex

For a more therapeutic experience, try your hand at painting a space marine miniature with steady precision and focus. Materials are provided for free and no prior sign-ups are required for your enjoyment through this art session which is suitable for fans of all ages.

Snap a photo at the Transformers wall & get an exclusive Transformers: EarthSpark collectible pin

Get a first look at the Nickelodeon Transformers: EarthSpark art and be introduced to a new generation of Transformers robots - the first to be born on Earth. Stand to take home a limited edition collectible pin* by simply snapping a picture at the photo wall and by tag @sgcomiccon, @Nick_Asia,

@citysquaremall, #SGCCxCSM #SGCC #EarthSpark on Instagram. 

Show it to the staff at the event ticketing info counter and claim your exclusive Transformers: EarthSpark collectible pin.

*Limited to the first 50 per day. 1 redemption per person per Instagram post

Check out the new products at the Exhibitor Showcase from 52Toys, Bandai (Gundam) & OSIM

52Toys

The classic MECHA MICKEY MOUSE is precisely deconstructed by mechanical art. In addition to the

mechanical joints, Mecha Mickey Mouse also has the latest electronic brain. Its input and output systems are displayed in the mechanized facial features. Each limited-edition toy has a unique serial number and a #NFC chip to verify its authenticity. Classic IP X Deconstruction Art, Explore unlimited possibilities with MECHA MICKEY MOUSE.

Bandai

Explore the rare Gundam figurine items for the first time on physical display by The Bandai Event

Exclusive, a premium carrier of limited action figures, model kits, and collector toys. With 2 exclusive

Gundam robot figurines are exclusively available at the prelude, there’s bound to be a long queue for this!

OSIM

Check out the latest limited edition collaboration with TRANSFORMERS x OSIM. The OSIM uThrone V continues to be the only ergonomically designed gaming massage chair from OSIM, with built-in massaging capabilities. With over 40 years of massage expertise incorporated, the OSIM uThrone V delivers targeted massages on the neck and shoulders. It provides unrivaled comfort to gamers who sit for prolonged periods when gaming - pain relief of their neck, shoulder, and lumbar. Not to mention, its 4-directional armrests allow gamers to adjust its width, height, and angle to their liking for maximum comfort. To put the icing on the cake, its lumbar press glides and presses along gamers' lower back area to relieve back pain and reduce back stiffness.

Meet regional cosplayers from Impact Fantasy - Diane Sabandeja & Lia Bear

Immerse yourself into the world of Impact Fantasy as it comes to life with regional cosplayers, dressed in intricately recreated costumes from your favourite characters. Be it angels or demons, the elves are here to play!

Diane is a cosplayer from Cebu, Philippines. She loves singing, dancing, and hosting various events. Besides cosplaying, she is also a Gaming Ambassador, model/actress, and Streamer. She commented that Impact Fantasy has a vision that she also believes in, that all cosplayers, fans, and like-minded people are able to create a cosplay world that belongs to them.

Lia Bear is a cosplayer from the Philippines, she has been cosplaying for the past 8 years. Cosplaying has pushed her to become a better version of herself, like her favourite anime characters. This hobby has made her feel accepted by people, as she didn’t have many friends when growing up. Through cosplay, she was able to gain confidence and try things outside her comfort zone. It has been a scary ride, but it has made her feel the most alive.

Artist Alley Creators

Take a walk through the Artist Alley which showcases 14 independent local artists who will have original artwork collectibles on display for purchase. Grab the chance to have a chat with creators like BunnyAndYarn, Bobblejot, and Monster Little about their adorable heartwarming digital comic characters and crochet work. With each of the items being one of a kind, take your pick from a range of apparels, stickers, enamel pins, merchandise, manga, comics, and more!

Promotions for Ticket Holders

Of course, other than these activities, there are also some promos to look out for SGCC 2022 ticket holders! Tickets to the main SGCC event happening in December 2022 can be purchased at this exclusive prelude event as well. Every ticket purchased at the prelude event will be entitled to 1 spin on the Insta-Win Wheel.

This City Square Mall exclusive Insta-Win Prize will run from 8 to 9 October 2022 from 11am to 8pm, giving ticket buyers a chance to win various prizes such as blind box toys from 52Toys, vouchers from Blanco Court Beef Noodles, Cat & the Fiddle, LiHO TEA, Go Pizza and even CityMusic headphones.

On top of that, the first 100 ticket holders each day who purchase their ticket in person will be able to redeem an additional $10 City Developments Limited (CDL) voucher from the event ticketing info counter at L1 Atrium.

Blanco Court Beef Noodles Take part in the “SURE-WIN WITH BCBN '' by simply liking and following their Instagram and Facebook pages to enter the sure win lucky pick. Prizes include BCBN $3 & $5 vouchers that you can use for a bowl of Blanco Court Beef Noodles! You can grab a free balloon for your kid too! Flash your digital SGCC ticket at the Blanco Court Beef Noodles outlet (#B1-31) and enjoy 15% off the total bill.

LiHO TEA Get an exclusive sneak peek of LiHO TEA’s upcoming collaboration drink launch with Comic Con only at City Square Mall! Purchase an SGCC ticket and stand a chance to win a FREE M-size drink e-voucher on the insta-win wheel. Don’t forget to sign up for #myLiHOTEA membership to receive a 1 For 1 voucher!

So, see you this weekend at City Square Mall.

Don't forget to leave your mark on the Doodle Wall before you leave!

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Top 8 Showcases You Must Visit At AFA Singapore 2016

Hi Huneybees,


Anime Festival Asia (AFA) has returned to Singapore again at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hall 406, from 25th November (Friday) to 27th November (Sunday).

From my experience today at the festival, there seems to be greater focus on showcases than last year.
To avoid mental stress trying to navigate between booths and stages through thousands of anime fans at the festival, here are my Top 8 recommended showcases that you must visit.

1. Kodansha VR Idol "Hop Step Sing!" booth at A188

If you are looking for an upgrade experience to your typical idol anime, Idol anime VR, a system that takes you for an immersive idol anime experience may be what you need. Similar to THE iDOLM@STER: Cinderella Girls Viewing Revolution for Playstation VR, this system works using Steam VR instead, with an original cast of characters.

2. BANDAI Model Kit at booth A21 & A24

There is a life size Gundam model for photo opportunity but the real star is the 1/60 scale Premium Bandai featuring Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex in Perfect Grade on display. You can get this limited edition, shiny gold coating model kit at SGD550 with free shipping if you pre-order at the booth during the festival.

3. KOTOBUKIYA at booth A09

Frame Arms Girl reminds me of KanColle. Assembled in a similar fashion to Gundam models but with more customization in terms of weaponry, these kawaii plastic model kits have been well received so far since its launch in 2015.  Do note that the new models HRESVELGR (SGD64.99) and INNOCENTIA (SGD44.99) are coming out in January and March 2017 respectively. There will also be a anime release scheduled in 2017.

4. Sword Art Online at booths A29 & A35 

Sword Art Online has two booths (A29 & A35) this year. One of them features life size cut-outs of Kirito and Asuna dressed in costumes related to different countries such as Singapore, Germany and South Korea. Other products related to the new movie, Sword Art Online The Movie - Ordinal Scale -, were on sale at the booths. There was also a special anime showcase for the movie featuring Kanae Ito and Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, the VAs of Yui and Kirito respectively.

5. Ghost Parade at Booth A89

Ghost Parade, a new game by Indonesian company Lentera, is currently in the beta stage. The game is about a young girl who gets lost in a forest on her way to school and meets many different ghosts. The ghosts are friendly and this young girl helps them by solving their problems. Players also get to "collect" the ghosts and learn more about their underlying legends, and in the end, they shall see that perhaps these mysterious legends aren't as scary as what we often make them out to be.

The game currently focuses on Indonesian ghosts and spirits, but is intending to expand to include other Asian legends as well. The game is expected to launch early 2017.

To show support for Ghost Parade, you can check out their Facebook, Instagram, Official Line account or their ask.fm page. You can also find out more at their webpage.

6. Cool Japan at Booth A105

Robi, a easy-to-assemble part-work robot from Japan standing at 34cm in height and weighing 1kg, was on showcase during the festival under Cool Japan (Booth A105) together with RoBoHon, a robot smartphone by SHARP.

Also at the booth are 5 recommended Apps and 88 Japanese animation spots (seichi) selected for anime fans.

7. WAKUWAKU Japan at Booth A97

Want to have a chance to meet & greet Pikotaro also known as Mr. PPAP in person? 

If so, you need to join the PPAP challenge by uploading to Instagram of you dressing up as Pikotaro himself and perform PPAP!

8. SONY at Booth A101

Experience Artificial Intelligence at work by interacting in real time with adorable character "Megumi Kato" from "SAEKANO ~How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend~. "MAIN HEROINE KATO MEGUMI"is available for Android App download on Google Play.

Have a Kawaii Sunday!

Don’t forget to stay tuned to my blog / like my blog’s Facebook page / follow me @huney_84 on Twitter & Instagram  for the latest updates!

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Kengo Kawanishi, Yuka Terasaki & TRUE To Make Special Appearances At Gunpla Expo 2016 Tomorrow!

Hi Huneybees,

If you are Japanese Pop Culture enthusiasts and “Mobile Suit GUNDAM” fans, be sure to be at Gunpla Expo 2016 tomorrow for there will be a line-up of special guests and events to fill your Sunday with a blast!

Bandai Namco Singapore, one of the leading toy makers and arcade, mobile and home video game publishers in Japan has arranged for 2 special mini-stage programmes - 2 voice actors, Kengo Kawanishi and Yuka Terasaki, from Gundam’s latest series Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans, will be in Singapore for the first time and you can also look forward to a live performance by TRUE, the artiste who sang the ending theme song for the show.

Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans, introduced in October 2015, is currently the latest anime series for “Mobile Suit GUNDAM”. Details for the mini-stage programmes are:

Gunpla Expo 2016 – Live Mini-Stage Event

Date & Timing: 19 June 2016 (Sunday), 2pm and 6pm

Venue: Mini Stage at Takashimaya Square, B2

If you plan to grab some merchandise, don't miss out on the STRICT-G tshirts that comes with an exclusive Gundam figurine hanger!

The Gunpla Expo 2016 is held till Sunday, 26 June 2016 at Takashimaya Square, B2. Aimed at celebrating the art of building the model kits, it includes showcases, exclusive merchandise, and activities for fans and the general public to enjoy and learn more about one of Japan’s top Popular Culture Icons. Admission to the Expo Grounds is free. For further information, please visit https://www.takashimaya.com.sg/.

Voice Actor: Kengo Kawanishi

Born on 18^th February in Osaka prefecture, Kengo Kawanishi has played a wide range of voice-acting roles in anime, games and movies since his debut. He also specialises in dancing, karaoke and gaming.

Some of his notable roles over the years are:

TV Animation

• Mikazuki Augus – Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
• Shoji Sato – Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma
• Aoi Shima– Prince of Stride: Alternative
• Kisaki Matsuribi – Aldnoah.Zero
• Gaku Egawa – Nagi no Asukara ( A Lull in the Sea)
• Akira Kagetsuki – Monster Strike
• Muku (Teenage) – Boruto: Naruto the Movie

Voice Actress: Yuka Terasaki

Born on 4^th August in Kumamoto Prefecture, the multi-talented voice actress, TV actress and singer Yuka Terasaki has played a wide range of characters from numerous popular anime titles, movies, stage plays and dramas. She enjoys landscape photography as a hobby and is skilled in Kimono dressing.

Some of her notable roles include:

TV Animation

• Kudelia Aina Bernstein –Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
• Hephaestus – Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?
• Heinz Nerich Windermere/Heinz II – Macross Delta
• Sasha Kreuzhev; Misha=Krushchev – A Certain Magical Index
• Raquel – Dokidoki! Precure
• Renka Ariake – TV Animation Mahou Shoujo Taisen (Magica Wars)

OVA

Zushi –  Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission

Musical

Meyrin –- Kuroshitsuji: Chi ni Moeru Rikorisu - (Black Butler: Licorice that Blazes the Earth)

Performing Artiste: TRUE

TRUE was born on 15 July in Tokyo. She debuted in the year 2000 under her own name, Miho Karasawa.  Her songs have been featured in drama series as well as taking top spots on the Oricon ranking charts over the years.  It was in 2011 that she became a full time lyricist and in 2012 when she began working on anime-related projects. She has written lyrics for many popular artistes such as Emi Nitta, Eir Aoi, SPHERE, Yuka Iguchi and StylipS.

2014 marked the first year of her artiste activities under the name “TRUE”. She sang the theme songs for popular anime titles such as Buddy Complex, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Maria the Virgin Witch, Sound Euphonium. More recently in 2015, TRUE performed the opening theme songs Beautiful Bones: Sakurako's Investigation, Undefeated Bahamut Chronicle, and not forgetting the ending theme song “STEEL – Bonds of Blood and Iron” for the well-received anime series Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans!

Gunpla Expo 2016 Exclusive Bear Guy III (Double Happiness Version) is too cute not to grab a picture with!

With so much to do, so much to play, it's a date with Gundam tomorrow! See you there!

Don’t forget to stay tuned to my blog / like my blog’s Facebook page / follow me @huney_84 on Twitter & Instagram  for the latest updates!

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Come & Soak In The Japanese Culture At Anime Festival Asia 2015!

Hi Huneybees,

Hooray! The region's biggest premier festival for Japanese Popular Culture and anime returns to Singapore starting today till 29th November with a refreshed I Love Anisong Concerts that comprises almost all-new artiste line-up.

Up Close with Yurika Endō (遠藤 ゆりか), Yumiri Hanamori (花守 ゆみり ) and MICHI, the voice actresses.

Come and take pictures with your favourite Japanese idol from CHEERZ

This year's Anime Festival Asia 2015 (AFASG15) is certainly bigger and better than before. Covering all 6 halls of Level 4 and with an extended area on Level 3 for the first time, the festival ground features close to 200 booths, almost doubling last year's number, that includes an expanded Creator's Hub with over 100 booths of fan-made merchandise from book marks to fan arts plus more anime-themed food options, such as Love Life! Parfait, for anime fans to enjoy while refuel and recharge. Perfecto!

BEARGGUY by BANDAI

Remember to get your Manga character created by Manga artist at NHK World TV booth!

Take a picture with DOMO or use your artistic talent to win a DOMO plushie!

Get refuel and recharged at LoveLive!

While Anime fans could look forward to exciting themed anime showcase, including the first ever Movie  International Premiere of Garokawa - Restore the World, AFASG15 will for the first time introduce a comedy component with 10 Japanese comedian groups such as household names like Seiji Chihara, Tomonori Jinnai and Tutorial.

Cosplay is always associated with anime, among others (such as well as manga and video games), and for AFASG15, there is no exception. Apart from die-hard cosplayers coming together in force to support the local cosplay culture, AFA's Regional Cosplay Championship will be held today, as five regional cosplay groups from Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand, competing for the ultimate cosplay honors.

With so much happening within these three days, no wonder many anime fans actually camped overnight since last evening inside Suntec City Convention Centre just to be the first few to grab those merchandises and/or the spot for an artiste autograph!

Queue, Queue, Queue...Buy, Buy, Buy....

There was already a long queue to ODEX Anime Merchandise store at 930am on Friday!

Just to give you a prospective, by 12 noon on the opening day, many AFA products have already been sold out at many stores! Interestingly, I noticed die-hard anime fans putting up signs in hope for a swap of autographs slot and/or even offering to buy specific artist's autographs from lucky anime fans!!

Die-hard Anime Fans waiting orderly for the next Artiste Autograph session

Everything is selling fast at AFASG2015!

While at a corner outside the festival hall, I bumped into Misuta Kobai who has prepared packs of sweets for anime friends that he has made on Facebook as a gesture of gratitude towards them! What a sweet guy!

There are many things to see, experience and discover daily at the Anime festival, so do come down and join the fun even if you are clueless about the whole anime, manga, gaming and cosplay cultures.

Hope to bump into my Huneybees at the festival this weekend!

Don’t forget to stay tuned to my blog / like my blog’s Facebook page / follow me @huney_84 on Twitter & Instagram  for the latest updates!

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