Last year, The Best of Anime did what was their biggest coup yet, as it played host for Japanese songstress Eir Aoi’s first-ever live performance in Manila, where she was also seen banging her head and raising her fists during UchuSentai:NOIZ’s set before her own.

This year, expect The Best of Anime (BoA) to upstage their own 2015 event with the addition of two first-time Manila visitors, alongside a bevy of cosplayer guests, local bands and side events and activities that will surely entertain everyone, whether hard-core anime fan or not.

In keeping with tradition, Anime Pilipinas brings to you a preview and analysis of what will you expect, what to do and of course, what to take note when the big event rolls around this weekend. Ladies and Gentlemen, This is your Pre-Show for The Best of Anime 2016.

 

ONGAKU FEST: A Celebration of Japanese Music

The Best of Anime 2016 - Ongaku Fest

The Best of Anime has surely become a landmark when it comes to inviting top-flight Japanese music talent.

From Joe Inoue, to Starmarie,  heidi., and Eir Aoi, the concerts have become a collective experience for the audience to experience Japanese anime music here in the country. And this year, Primetrade Asia, Inc. is pulling out all the stops in bringing nothing but the best.

For the first time ever, Luna Haruna and INKT will be gracing their Manila fans in BoA’s first ever Ongaku Fest, which aims to be a celebration of Japanese Music

 

Luna Haruna is a model and singer who became famous for singing “Overfly” and “Startear”, both of which were used as ending theme songs for the popular anime series Sword Art Online, as well as singing the opening theme song of Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend, “Kimi-iro Signal”. She has two albums, “Oversky” and “Candy Lips”, and nine singles to her belt.

 

INKT, meanwhile, is a Japanese rock band fronted by former KAT-TUN member Koki Tanaka. Together with his co-members, guitarist Kei, drummer Sassy, and bassist mACKAz, they are expected to sing songs from their two albums in their arsenal.

 

Both Luna Tanaka and INKT will be performing at the Ongaku Fest stage at the SMX Convention Center Function Room 2 on Sunday, September 18 starting at 7:00 PM, Gates will open at 6:00 PM

In addition, the two artistes will have a Meet-and-greet sessions on the same day, with Luna Haruna holding her session from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm and INKT from 1:00  – 2:30 pm at the Meeting Rooms 8 and 9.

 

The Best of Anime 2016 - UchuSentai:NOIZ

UchuSentai:NOIZ, fresh from their stint at the ABS-CBN show “I Love OPM”, will be rocking the Main Convention stage on Saturday, September 17 together with local band Tanya Markova.

 

HERO FACE OFF 2016: A Return to the BoA Stage


The Best of Anime 2016 also marks a return for HEROtv’s cosplay-centric event, HERO Face Off 2016, as it returns to the event after holding its own event at the SM Mall of Asia in celebration of their tenth anniversary.

For this year, HERO Face Off is reverting to its old format that they instituted in 2014, the “Kids Squad” category and the “Face Off” category, The winners for the event will receive cash and prizes.

The event will be hosted by cosplayer Christine Blardony, MYX VJ Sunny Kim and HEROtv Anime Jock and ABS-CBN Artist Myrtle Sarrosa, with performances from Gracenote and Callalily. The “event-within-an-event” is scheduled on the second day of BoA on Sunday.

Aside from the HERO Face Off segment, BoA will also hold the grand finals of their “Interschool Cosplay Competition” and the “BoA All-Star Cosplay Competition”, as well as the “Superstar Karaoke Competition” and the “Battle of the Bands”.

 

A Varied Lineup of Cosplayer Guests and Activities

Of course, The Best of Anime will be complete without the guest cosplayers who will be gracing the event as well, and for a change, three of the notable cosplay guests are homegrown cosplay talents!

Local cosplayers Liui Aquino, Chun WX and Suzume will join cosplay notables Misa of Taiwan, Yau of Hong Kong, Jun Kaise of Japan and the returning Sara Tousa-Bao of Singapore to showcase their craft and wow everyone in the BoA stage and also to meet and greet with their fans.

This is despite the fact that Reika was supposed to take part in the event, her first Manila-based event in two years. She cancelled her guesting a few weeks after the announcement.

Film Showings of The Last: Naruto the Movie and One Piece Film Z, Kendo demonstrations and segments from band fanclubs and other activities complete the entire Two-day BoA experience.

 

Also, be on the lookout for the booths that will sell different merchandises and also items for your fandom. Among the notable exhibitors for this year is Bushiroad, the Japanese producer and creator of trading cards and smartphone games.

This will be Bushiroad’s first ever appearance in a Philippine event convention, and they will sell original and licensed items from different anime titles like Cardfight!! Vanguard and Love Live! School idol project, among others

 

Ticket and Venue Information

The Best of Anime 2016 - Tickets

Entry to the event costs PHP350 per day, but it will only be applicable for the events at the Main Stage area, located in Function Room 4, including Hero Face Off 2016.

For everyone who wants to attend the Ongaku Fest concerts, featuring Luna Haruna and INKT, you will shell out an additional of  PHP2,000 for the chance to experience their concerts, which will be located at the Function Room 2.

Different passes are also available for the Meet and Greet sessions, while the Saikou pass is their top tier pass, enabling one to enter not only the main stage activities and the Ongaku Fest concert, but will also be given access to the meet and greets of the guests performers and cosplayers, plus VIP seating.

Online selling of tickets has been closed since September 12. Tickets will now be available on-site on event days, while special passes are still available depending on availability.

 

In light of the recent events that has happened in the country today, expect more tighter security measures at the vicinity of the SMX Convention Center and the Mall of Asia complex, as it will hold not only The Best of Anime, but also the yearly Manila International Book Fair and SM’s yearly mall sale.

Also, be wary of the different rules and regulations for the Meet and greet sessions. The full details of the rules and regulations are posted on their official Social Media accounts and website as well.

 

The Best of Anime has surely become an tradition for everyone for the past six years, and with this year’s guest lineup and activities. BoA is expected to hit another milestone that will surely mark an unmatched anime event experience, whether for a first timer or a frequent convention goer.

Because in every The Best of Anime, Primetrade Asia, Inc. always makes it a point to always continue to become the very best at what they do.

 

The Best of Anime 2016 is happening on September 17 and 18, 2016 at Function Rooms 2-4 of SMX Convention Center – Manila at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City. For more information, you can check out their website at thebestofanime.com and their official Facebook pageSubject to change without prior notice.

Anime Pilipinas is an Official Media Partner of The Best of Anime 2016. Follow our social media accounts for the very latest updates during the event.