Usapang Anime Fest 2022: Our Experience

Date: 13th to 19th July, 2022

Location: NCCC Mall Buhangin, Davao City

A whole week to geek out? Sign me up!

Keeping in line with the current trend of the reactivation of cosplay cons in the height of this part of the year’s convention season, Davao offered seven days worth of chances for the local cosplayers to show up once again in their wigs.

NCCC Mall Buhangin, in collaboration with AMBOX Davao, had graciously offered their venue once more to host Anime Fest: a week-long event, not just of cosplay, but also of a wide selection of anime movies in their theaters: mostly Makoto Shinkai works, among others, which one may book a ticket for. Those who did purchase tickets to said movies are entitled to the various amusements on offer in the mall (Human Pick-up Crane, Ice Cream Machine, etc.) and the chance to participate as a voter in the program's Open Cosplay contest.

The highlight of this event was the aforementioned Open Cosplay contest, held on the 16th and 17th. On those days, those who purchased tickets for the anime movies had the chance to vote upon their chosen cosplayers, as officially photographed by the event staff and featured upon a dedicated wall installed in the event area, by placing a star-shaped sticker upon the aforementioned photographs of said cosplayers. Those with the most stickers, wins the contest. The registration was quick and easy, being mainly a walk-in affair, reflecting the equally quite off-the-cuff business of posing on the, how should one put it, very “intimate” (read: small) stage area, where the official portraits of those wishing to participate in the cosplay contest was being taken.

Though the main action was during the previously mentioned Saturday and Sunday, as the movies were playing for the standard one-week movie schedule, it was most welcome for cosplayers to be in costume in the event area for whole duration of the week, making this seven straight days of opportunity for the local cosers to raid and flaunt their wardrobes. And, indeed, there were reports of those who did manage to cosplay for seven days straight. Most though only accomplished around 70%

of attendance; a lesser number of days even more so.

And, indeed, one could imagine the scene in the “off-days”: a more quiet and slow affair, with those present more indulged with their own company than that of the event proper. Or, said attendees have opted to take advantage of the quite well-equipped arcade which is just beside the event hall. Relaxing, calm, even peaceful at times, while still being legitimately in a cosplay event.

In stark contrast though, the weekend very truly brought was is expected of fetes of weebery: crowds, noise, colours, action here and there – all in one big blur. As exhilarating as it is energy-exhausting, even bordering claustrophobic at times, but, nonetheless the feeling which many of the Otaku persuasion can call “at home”, in terms of common interest at least. Costumes and con-goers converging into a large mass, albeit as clumps of acquainted company minding their own businesses at most times. But, on occasion will exhibit borderline cult-like behavior in the name of geeky randomness, namely the mass choir singing from the crowd when the audio operator at the staff booth belts out the appropriate tune. In a nutshell, what was the typical experience of a cosplay convention pre-pandemic had returned, albeit with masks.

Costumes featured in the event was a wide spread. Being a week long affair, there were many titles being shown. But in general, the usual expected Genshin cosplays have made their more-than-due representation on the floor. Of course, as the hot thing these months, there were also a healthy number of SPYxFAMILY cosplays brought out – mainly Anyas and Yors with the occasional Yuris. Beyond the trending, titles as old as from the early 2000’s to everything in-between from today has been spotted there.

General experience of the said event was indeed positive – an event that did its job with no notable quarrels as far as it was heard. The people had their fun and the running of the whole event was smooth from start to finish. Venue was more than accommodating enough despite its relative small size. There is nothing really to complain about. Having said that, the venue may well benefit from an installation of a more significant presence of food and drink concessions for the convenience of the guests.

The Usapang Cosplay Staff, specifically the Davao Station, and the rest of the Davao and general Mindanao cosplaying community look forward to the next installment of cons in the next months.