Goldfries' Report (Continued)

Anyway, let's get back to the topic of the anime exhibition.

I was really disappointed with the exhibition. It was more like a promotion for the Malaysian version of Ragnarok Online, with a bunch of Ragnarok Online (English beta test version) CDs being given away. Here are some of the main exhibitors…..

Litt-Tak - with their range of Japanese toys like Crush-gear, Gundam, Black Mask Rider and Zoids.

ASTRO - with their usual promotion of satellite pay-TV service (what else could they be promoting?)

Multimedia University - with their range of courses for studies in multimedia.

Anime-Tech - with their range of Anime VCDs and DVDs on sale, which is a good effort but you can actually find more titles at their shop just outside.

Kodak - as usual, promoting their range of Kodak EasyShare range of digital cameras.

I will admit that I did not visit every corner of the exhibition hall as the crowd was just overwhelming. Getting from one point to another was more than just an ordeal. It was really quite disgusting to brush skin with sweaty people!

The two high points of the event were the Cosplay competition and Sumo Wrestling match. The Cosplay competition was a "beauty pageant" type of event, where participants dress up as their chosen Anime characters and pose on stage. The judges will then decide on the winner, based on their set of criterias. It was actually the main crowd magnet at the event.

People cosplaying as Ragnarok characters

As for the wrestling event, you don't have to strip off everything and wear that skimpy loin cloth. Nor do you have to be super over-weight just to participate. In fact, all you need to do is get into the provided sumo wrestler costume and you are on your way! It was exactly like the sumo wrestling scene in Charlie's Angels where Bill Murray and Tim Curry wore those "fat suits" and bumped at each other!

The sumo wrestling game!

However, the costumes were not as nice as those used in the movie. They looked worn, with tears here and there. But I can see that people were really enjoying it. I myself planned to challenge my friend in the sumo ring but we simply didn't have any good reason to prolong our visit to the AXN Anime Festival.

So my friends and I left the exhibition center feeling disappointed. All I saw was just a few dismal displays of miniatures that you can easily see at your regular model-kit shop. Furthermore, the range of toys sold at the Festival was no better than those found at your regular toy store or toy department at major supermarkets.

More details can be found here if anyone is interested in this event - http://www.axn-asia.com/anime-festival2003/default.asp

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