It’s only a few weeks to go until the 7th SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show, is ready to dominate Sydney’s pop-culture scene on 10 August 2013 at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre (Darling Harbour). If you buy your tickets before the end of July, you’ll get them at the discounted price.
High profile guests in the industry this year include animation director Matsubara Hidenori (Neon Genesis: Evangelion, Ah! My Goddess); voice actor and pop-idol Haruko Momoi (Steins; Gate, Tales of the Abyss); and in conjunction with the Japan Foundation, Sydney, voice actor Masakazu Morita, who is best known for his roles as Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach) and Barnaby J. Brooks (Tiger and Bunny).
Of the expected 6,500 attendees to come through the doors at this year’s convention, people can get involved in anything from the regular cosplay events and cosplay parades through to an academic panel on the Evolution of Cats in Japanese culture.
Gamers can enjoy Card Game Tournaments or the Bushiroad Card Games Workshop, or you can get started on building something in the Beginners HobbyCo Gundam Workshop (there’s an Advanced one for the adventurous).
Artists can study Cosplay Life Drawing or try their luck in several competitions, and a Fanfiction Competition ensure writers can be involved too. Artists come in all shapes and sizes, so maybe you feel confident enough to compete in some Karaoke?
Of course, the main attraction will always be the cosplay. Guests can come dressed as their favourite characters, or compete in the Cosplay Battle Royale or go for gold in the Madman Cosplay Competition, where JAL will send you on a return trip to Japan if you win! Improve your chances for next year by visiting the Cosplay Panels that tackle everything from armour making to special effects makeup and photography.
Photo credit: Kris Ezergailis
If it all sounds a little too exhausting, simply relax in the Maid Cafe. A full list of Events can be found on the SMASH! website. Advanced ticket sales will end on Wednesday, July 31! You can buy them online for $29, or you can come to the SMASH! ticket booth on Saturday 27, just outside Sydney bookstore Kinokuniya. We will be there from 12pm until 6pm, and if you buy a ticket you can also win a $30 Kinokuniya voucher and an anime DVD gift pack!
Behind the Panels will be out and about at SMASH! this year, so be sure to look out for us. If you are cosplaying, then you may wind up on our photo and video specials!
