Anime Festival Asia Singapore Review AFA Concert Comics Games Cosplay Exhibition Stage Programme 2023

Celebrating 15 Years of All Things J-Culture, the Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2023 features the latest anime titles, the best of Japanese entertainment, gaming and popular culture icons. 

A showcase with over 70 local and international exhibitors at Akiba Town, the region’s best creators at Creators' Hub, special Day Stage Line-up, Akiba special showcase and regional talents, concerts, festival highlights like AFA X SACRA Music Fest, Iori Moe AFA 2023 Ambassador, Artists and Cosplay guest appearances with meet and greet, fans sessions, premiere screenings, talk shows, Japan food street and more at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre Level 4 from November 24-26.

Held across Asia since 2008, the AFA is the largest and most-followed J-Culture & Anime Comics Game (ACG) Festival in Southeast Asia. In 2019, AFA Singapore alone attracted over 120,000 attendees and anime enthusiasts excitedly thronging through the doors of Halls 401-406, immersing themselves into all things J-Culture, a showcase of pulsating live performances, dozens of toy art, merchandise booths and stunning-looking cosplayers aplenty. 

AFA Stage Shows & Exhibits 

Besides the ticketed nightly concert event in Hall 406 which featured 20 artistes the likes of Japanese-American singer Nano and instrumental heavy metal band Asterism, fans also got to enjoy vibrant day-long live performances at the Akiba Stage with special showcases from regional artistes like Japanese idol group DEAR KISS and professional cosplayer Hiroto Kuramasu, to the hilariously fun Ultraman Gard Game Live shows.

AFA exhibitors presented their ACG-related products like well-known anime retail shop Hakken, local brand Secretlab showcasing their Demon Slayer gaming chair collection and Hoya, the Number 1 hair colour brand from Japan, displaying a range of colorful hair dyes and bleach.

A total of 125 artists and creators from across the region had their own booths featuring their works of art and craftwork like paintings to printed T-shirts, keychains to stickers. 

One of the most unique exhibitor is anime and manga streaming platform Crunchyroll. Its Jujutsu Kaisen Experience offered fans a very cool mini-IMAX-like viewing within a domed space as they immerse into the world of sorcery and cursed energy based on the hit dark fantasy series.

Over at the Bushiroad Expo section, there were serious TCG (Trading Card Game) tournaments being conducted, as well as anime game demonstrations. There were almost crowd-pleasing WWE-styled matches at the Stardom Wrestling Ring.

Japan Food Street is where anime lovers had their fill of Oishi Japanese Food and Drinks where booths like Mutsu Aomori Food Market, Nissin noodles, Ito en Japanese green tea and the SMU-based Daijoubu cafe to name a few, offered a wide selection of Japanese street food which one could eat on the go or at a secluded corner at the venue.  

Cosplay Haven

What really caught everyone’s eyes though were the professional cosplayers from around the region, all immaculately costumed and made-up whilst sitting pretty in their booths in the Cosplay Hub. 

Fans literally queued round “the block” in order to get their favourite cosplayer the likes of Xiaoyukiko from Singapore and Yuii from Malaysia to autograph purchased photographs and other items.

Last but by no means least, adding much colour to AFA2023 were the hundreds of non-professional cosplayers who turned up to the 3-day festival simply to have fun and in turn created glee and joy for the other attendees upon seeing the effort put in for the costumes and make-up.

From Demon Slayer to Chainsaw Man, Spy x Family, Sword Art Online to Attack on Titans,  there were many tributes to characters from these anime hits and a host of other popular anime, manga and mobile game characters. Among the most impressive was a Rem the Shingami from Death Note and a Hua Cheng from Heaven Official’s Blessing.

The Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2023 was held at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, level 4, from 24-26 November. The Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2024 will be abuzz with the best and latest of J-Culture Anime, concerts, gaming and entertainment. 

#AFASG23

Nintendo Singapore Store Pop-Up Shop at Jewel Changi Airport & Super Mario Christmas Festive Celebration

Nintendo POP-UP STORE in SINGAPORE featuring Super Mario, Animal Crossing, The Legend of Zelda, Murabito and Shizue, Inkling, Splatoon and Pikmin merchandise previously only available at Nintendo TOKYO, Nintendo OSAKA and Nintendo KYOTO stores, open for the first time in Southeast Asia, at Jewel Changi Airport, Level 04-220/221, operated by Avex Asia for a limited period from now to 1 January 2024. 

A key highlight of the product line-up is a special illustration with Nintendo's Super Mario leading the way with characters including Inkling and Squid Ring from Splatoon, Murabito and Shizue, Link from The Legend of Zelda, Pikmin, Luigi, Isabelle and a villager from Animal Crossing and more will cross game borders to welcome all at the store.

The illustration is featured in special original merchandise like plushies soft toys, figurines, T-shirts, sweaters, kidswear, bags, stationary, cushions, tumblers, lunch boxes, homeware and other exclusive product range. More curated merchandise items will be unveiled in coming weeks. 

A ticket will be given for entry into the store and purchases are limited to maximum 5 items per product.

Nintendo X Singapore Special Postcards

Celebrating Nintendo POP-UP STORE in SINGAPORE, six exclusively designed postcards featuring Nintendo Characters special illustration on the back of the post cards with Singapore landmarks like Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore Merlion with Marina Bay Sands and Arts Science Museum, Gardens By the Bay, Singapore Central Business District Skyline sunset, Chinatown and Old Hill Street Police Station (ex MICA Building) are available as collectables. Shoppers who spend S$80 or more in a single transaction at the store will receive 1 of these limited-edition postcards, while stocks last.

Nintendo Account Check-in Sticker Campaign

Players who check in to their Nintendo Account at Nintendo POP-UP STORE in venue can collect special stickers, once a day to receive 1 sticker from the 18 designs, issued randomly, to mark this special event.

To redeem, fans can log into their registered accounts and check-in to the store by displaying the QR code issued onto a tablet device located at the store’s entrance and after verification by the on-ground staff, fans will receive the sticker.

In celebration, a Super Mario-themed event, Pipe Around the World at Jewel is a first-of-its-kind in Singapore with Super Mario characters and power -up items at 10 photo spots and 56 pipes around Jewel, Mario and Luigi exclusive meet-and-greet sessions at South Gateway Garden on Level 2 (November 18 and 19, 12 noon, 2pm and 4pm) and Nintendo X Jewel Changi Airport limited-edition Pipe Around the World premium collectibles like 2-in-1 cushion & neck pillow, eco friendly canvas tote bag and travel pouch for purchase with every S$50 spend in a receipt.

At the Shiseido Forest Valley, Super Mario fans can embark on their Super Mario adventure and 'jump' and pose with Super Mario world characters like Super Mario, Princess Peach, Toad, Bowser, Goomba, Yoshi , iconic Super Mario colourful warp pipes, five-metre-tall 3D centerpiece installation, Three larger-than-life displays – a ? Block, a Super Star and a Super Mushroom – each two metres tall. 

Soak in the 2023 Christmas season  ambience as you take a walk through the 16-metre-tall Alipay+Jewel Christmas tree, into the garden of lights at the Shiseido Forest Valley and Canopy Park where magical fairy lights, lighted arches Christmas trees with other festive decorations comes alive. 

The Jewel Christmas Light & Sound Show take center stage at HSBC Rain Vortex every evening at 7.30pm, 8.30pm, 9.30pm, with an additional show on weekends (Fri – Sun) at 10.30pm or experience an enchanting snowfall for wintery wonderland ambience every evening at 7.35pm,8.35pm, 9.35pm and 10.35pm.

For an Evening of Enchantment, purchase ticket for the special concert on 23 December 2023, from 7pm, at the Shiseido Forest Valley, featuring local artistes, Benjamin Kheng, Annette Lee and Naomi Yeo where the audience can sing along to their latest hits and Christmas classics.

Nintendo Southeast Asia first POP-UP STORE is in SINGAPORE, retailing exclusive Super Mario, Animal Crossing, The Legend of Zelda, Murabito and Shizue, Inkling, Splatoon and Pikmin merchandise is located at Jewel Changi Airport, Level 04-220/221 and open daily from 10am to 10pm. For more information, visit Nintendo Singapore POP-UP STORE . @nintendopopupsg #JewelChangiAirport #PipeAroundTheWorld

MartiDerm Shots Serum Anti-Aging Skincare & Proteoglycans Vitamin C ampoule dermatological brand favourites

MartiDerm, the leading prominent, pioneering and dynamic anti-aging dermo cosmetic laboratory brand from Barcelona, Spain is recognised as one of the world’s top anti-aging international renown brands with proven revolutionary scientific innovation and skincare excellence by its creator, Pharmacist Josep Martí Tor since 1952, trusted by Dermatologists, Pharmacists and consumers.

Pure Synergy with Maximum Efficacy Smart Aging is Martiderm skincare philosophy. Retailing in more than 50 countries, the first MartiDerm ampoule Skin Advanced Complex was created in 1989 and more than 180,000 ampoules are sold per day around the world. 

The MartiDerm Proteoglycans and Vitamin C ampoule in its innnovative topaz glass format keep the precious ingredients in the purest active form for maximum effectiveness was an amazing skincare revolution and had achieved ISO quality standard since 2013 in its Spain Smart hub sustainability manufacturing facilities.

MartiDerm created 10 different ampoules to meet the different needs of the skin - 

1. MartiDerm Proteos Hydra Plus Ampoules -Moisturises, brightens and firms dry skin

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4. MartiDerm Photo Age HA+ Ampoules - Firming, repair, photo-ageing

5. MartiDerm Formula Nº 10 HD Color Touch SPF 30 Ampoules - Moisturising, protective, firming and with a hint of colour

6. MartiDerm Skin Complex Advanced Ampoules Intensive nutrition, chrono-aging

7. MartiDerm Flash Ampoules - Anti-fatigue effect

8. MartiDerm Epigence Optima SPF 50+ Ampoules - Protection, radiance and firmness

9. MartiDerm Night Renew Ampoules - Renewal and hydration

10. MartiDerm - DSP-Bright Ampoules -Depigment, brighten and even tone

The new MartiDerm SHOTS range with Shot Hyaluronic Firm, Shot Vitamin C Antiox, Shot Retinol Renew, Shot Arbutin Dark Spots and Salicylic Imperfections Shot offers possibly the best anti-aging results clinically proven for serum with a combination of two pure highly concentrated active ingredients in a lightweight fresh texture in cream gel, gel and melting balm, which adapt to your skin.

Targeting skin health and imperfections like improving the appearance of wrinkles, the level of skin hydration,  reduction of brown spots, even skin tone and texture, Martiderm shots deliver smart anti-aging maximum efficacy to address the specific skincare needs and concerns, visibly maintaining the skin in optimal conditions.

Start a daily facial skincare routine today with specific and concentrated treatments from MartiDerm and discover the shots that could create healthy skin that is essential to look good.

● Martidrem Shot Vitamin C Antiox with 15% Pure Vitamin C + Ginger is a melting balm developed with a formula that multiplies the antioxidant power of vitamin C by three and prevents skin ageing. Daily usage will reveal a more revitalised, uniform and luminous skin.

● Martiderm Shot Retinol Renew with 0.3% Retinol + Niacinamide is a melting balm, suitable as a nightly facial routine that renews your skin without any greasy residue or sticky feeling. Daily usage will help improve the appearance of wrinkles and expression lines, and achieve more uniform, soft and smooth skin.

● Martiderm Shot Hyaluronic Firm with 2.5% Hyaluronic Acid + Proteum 89+ is a concentrated gel with a fruity floral scent that offers intense and long-lasting hydration for your skin. Suitable for all skin types, the  lightweight texture has a plumping effect when applied on skin.

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MartiDerm Proteoglycans and Vitamin C and MartiDerm SHOTS dermatological skincare range are available online at the MartiDerm Singapore website, U-Scents Website, U-Scents official MartDerm shop in Lazmall on Lazada and Shopee. 

Visit U-Scents retail store to experience the Martiderm full range of products, promotions, offers and loyalty rewards at 12 Jalan Klapa, Singapore 199324, open from Monday – Friday, 10.30 am – 7:30 pm, Saturday – 10:30am – 3:30pm, telephone +65 6988 6679 or email:info@martiderm.com.sg .