After a three-year hiatus from the J-culture events scene, De La Salle University’s Japanese organziation, the Nihon Kenkyuu Kai (DLSU-NKK) is set to have its triumphant return with Tamashii Convention 2015.
The last TamaCon event was held back in 2012 at SM Megamall’s Megatrade Hall 1 in Mandaluyong City, which was marred by long delays, where many bands performed which resulted into delaying the event’s cosplay competition for a several hours. As a result, the organization apologized for the gaffe and promised to do better in their next event.
And, after three years, TamaCon is back, and better than ever with more surprises and events to expect… the long wait for the event is sure to be worth it.
Anime Pilipinas once again brings you a preview of what will possibly happen in this reloaded and re-upped anime event that is surely going to sizzle your summer this Saturday.
J-Culture Overload in One Place
As you may know, this year’s TamaCon will be held at the SMX Convention Center – Manila in Pasay City, which means there will be more room for events & activities that will hopefully reflect the spirit of Japanese pop-culture in the country.
First off the list is a discussion with DLSU-NKK adviser and DLSU International Studies professor Dr. Benjamin San Jose on “The Shojo in Japanese Pop Culture: Hayao Miyazaki and its Resonance to the Philippine Social Experience”. The discussion will surely be facination as he will discuss how Hayao Miyazaki’s films connect with the Filipino psyche.
It will be followed by a fashion show, organized by Kawaii Philippines, which will set the venue with the vibe of the streets of Shinjuku and Harajuku. A J-pop Idol competition will also be held in the event with Mika Mikachu, Miki Kun and Mimi Monster judging the event, so better prepare those vocal cords!
The Cosplay competition, arguably, one of the most awaited activities of the event, with Cosplay Photographer Kira Hokuten and cosplayers Azelela Petrova Salvatore and Kuri Curry serving as jurors for the competition. A total of PHP20,000 worth of Gift Certificates and gifts from Great Toys Online await the winners in the Individual and Group cosplay competitions.
A great anime event is not complete without the bands that will electrify the stage with pulsating anime music. Five bands, Asterysk*, Strange Orange, Veralia, Hoshi to Sora, and Dimension Line, are line-up that will rock the TamaCon stage with their beats of J-rock and J-pop covers that will surely excite everyone.
Maids, Butlers, Figures, and Arts
Of course, The excitement will not just happen on the stage, but also on the convention floor as well with numerous activities and booths to choose from.
The Cake and Coffee Club Cafe will be serving not just a cup of coffee, tea and lots of food choices, but there will be butlers and maids to make yourselves at home at the café and serve you… and according to the TamaCon organizers, there will be a side event that will happen in the afternoon at the Cafe.
Matsuri booths will also be set-up to feel the vibe of the Japanese Summer Matsuri festival here in Manila, whoch includes an Omikuji fortune telling booth, Ema wish booth & skills games like the “Target Game” and Kingyo Sukui booths. Meanwhile, The OtaKai Figure Society and Team Oniichan will be setting up figures for you to wonder and take photos.
There will also be an Artist’s Lane, where you can meet up your favorite artist that you follow on DeviantArt, or even commission an “anime” version of you, while different merchandise booths will sell different items that will cater to your interests.
Lastly, as a special treat to all attendees, a special photobooth will be installed at the area where you can take selfies as souvenirs. Of course, a special twist is in store as the photo booth is inspired by a known Japanese meme, so do watch out for it.
No Ticket, No Entry
And yes, we go to the part where we tell you all the important details, including how much the tickets will cost at the day of the event and will you be able to get in without a ticket.
The Organizers of TamaCon 2015 will carry out a very strict “No Ticket, No Entry” policy, which means you will not be able to enter inside the SMX entrance unless you bought yourself a ticket, which was similar to what happened at The Best of Anime last year.
Again, the purpose of the policy is to ferret out those people who simply want to freeload themselves on the event to those people who paid for the cost of comfort and enjoyment.
The ticket pre-sales have closed since March 20, and the only way to get inside the SMX is to buy the ticket at the side facing The SM Store (the one near the Conrad Hotel construction site, facing the MOA Eye).
Those who have Eventbrite ticket vouchers will also enter on the same entrance but will be advised to enter the “Express lane” for their convenience, while those who have bought their tickets earlier are advised to enter the SMX Main Entrance.
The entrance fee for the event will cost PHP250 (about USD5.60), and considering all the events that will happen on the day, we’re sure that your PHP250 will go a long way.
Three years of waiting, this is how DLSU’s Nihon Kenkyuu Kai invested on what could be their most awaited return on the J-culture event scene.
And with the very loaded lineup of events, activities and other surprises in store for us eventgoers… we can be sure that Tamashii Convention’s return after a very long hiatus is surely going to be worth the wait.
Tamashii Convention 2015 will be held at the Function Room 1 at the SMX Convention Center – Manila on March 28, 2015, which will runs from 10:00am to 08:00pm.
For more information, please visit the official event primer or via their Facebook page at facebook.com/TamashiiConvention. For questions about entry, check out this post.
Anime Pilipinas is an official media partner of Tamashii Convention 2015.
DISCLAIMER: Anime Pilipinas is not responsible for any changes that will happen beyond what is written in the article, which were collated from their official primer and social media postings. All events are subject to change without prior notice.
