Huney'Z World: The IdolM@ster

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!

Hi Huneybees,

Were you at Anime Festival Asia AFA 2014? It was an amazing day for me as I had a great time snapping pictures of the cosplayers as well as checking out the displayed figurines. It's all so kawaii and I can't help speaking in Japanese when there. Hehehehehe...

Walking into the hall, I was already attracted to the GUNDAM Wall of Fame. There's so many of them in their different models, I just kept pointing them out to hubby... LOL!

Opposite that is the display for The IdolM@ster. They started as an idol producing game in 2005, meant for arcade game machines in amusement centres, and gamers were placed in the role of the producer and given the opportunity to produce their chosen idol to stardom. With a large, varied cast and a plethora of accompanying music, the game garnered great support, and next year in 2015, THE IDOLM@STER will celebrate its 10th anniversary. The franchise has also expanded from a console game into various other media such as comics, radio, a televised anime series and live events. So there were also some costumes from the live performances displayed at AFA.

Next up was my favourite! Sailor Moon!!!!

You guys may have seen these beautiful eyeliners in Watsons Singapore, but this Crystal Brooch compact powder and Moon Stick lipstick is exclusively brought in from Japan and after craving for them for so long, I knew, I couldn't leave for home without them. It's my favourite all-time anime and who don't wana transform into Sailor Moon?!

And whilst on the subject of Sailor Moon and its celebration of 20th anniversary, there were also tons of Sailor Moon memorabilia on sale at the Bandai booth.

Of course, there's alot more at the Bandai booth, with more Gundam figurines as well as Mask Rider, Dragonball and Mario figurines too!

The displayed Mirai Suenaga Smart Doll booth was packed with fans. It's no wonder, coz this highly animate-able, realistic looking dolls are so detailed and life like. Check out the Canon camera prop, it's as though you can start snapping pictures with it!

And who remembers Death Note? It's now made into a musical! I wonder would they be having a special tour here in Singapore, I would love to catch it! Wonder how the real life L will look like Kenichi Matsuyama... >.>

When it comes down to gaming, Cherry Credits is one of the leading mobile game and their latest game - Puzzle Coin Hunter has been peeled to the game, not letting go of my phone at all. I can play this game for hours! They were giving away this cute thumbdrive for those who can hit the high score!

Their other game - Million Arthur also added new characters and one special one was the AFA character - Seika. She's so adorable, how can you miss it right?!

Of course, for gamers, PlayStation has unveiled the limited PlayStation®4 20th Anniversary Edition at AFA 2014. They have also announced “PlayStation® 20th Anniversary Online Contest” whereby fans have to use their creativity to win a purchase pass to purchase the limited edition PlayStation®4 20th Anniversary Edition. I'm still thinking should I get one... Should I?

There was so much happening at AFA and here's more photos from my visit... Stay tuned in MAarch 2015 as Anime Japan: Anime Japan 2015 work together with AFA to cross-promote and introduce AFA to visitors during the event. Anime Japan 2015 will feature a new area to target trade visitors keen to discuss business collaborations and programmes.It will happen between 21st and 22nd March 2015.

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!

Top 8 Showcases You Must Visit At AFA Singapore 2016

All Things Kawaii At Anime Festival Asia AFA 2014