In news which is sure to announce many Australian anime fans but be a horror to those who already booked out the first weekend of September with an unavoidable event (like myself), anime publisher Madman Entertainment have this morning unveiled Madman Anime Festival 2016. Brought to anime fans by Madman Entertainment alongside their anime streaming service AnimeLab, this inaugural event will be a celebration of anime and Japanese culture. Currently only one leg of the festival has been announced, which will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on September 3rd and 4th 2016.
This event boasts international guests and exhibitors, cosplay, live stage performances, pop-up shops, gaming, screenings and other exclusive events which they are keeping close to their chests for now. Some of their special guests include Yuko Miyamura (Asuka Langley in Neo Genesis Evangelion) and Tiffany Grant (Nojiko in One Piece, Martel in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood). This is just the start of their line-up, with more names to be announced as Madman Anime Festival 2016 draws closer.
Like video games with an anime twist? Bandai Namco Entertainment will be attending the festival with the latest releases and upcoming titles from companies including Square Enix, Bandai Namco and Nippon Ichi Software America. More announcements are set to be made in the future as well.
Madman Anime Festival 2016 will also be the first Australian home of the Tokyo Ghoul Art Exhibition, which features original storyboards, sketches, character settings and more straight from the production studio.
Madman Entertainment love cosplay, and they have confirmed that the Victorian preliminary round of the Madman National Cosplay Championship will be moved to this event. The winner of this round will be eligible to participate in the final event, still held at Supanova Expo Brisbane in late-November.
As with most festivals, attendance at Madman Anime Festival 2016 will come at a price. Slightlier than some other festivals, ticket prices at $40 for a single day pass or $60 for a weekend pass. They are also offering a limited number of Madman MegaFan Passes which are priced at $290 each. For this price, you get:
- Premium seating in the AnimeLab Arena
- Concierge Hotline
- VIP Lounge
- Priority queue for special guest autographs
- Early access to the exhibition hall
- MADFEST VIP exclusive merchandise pack, including a MADFEST VIP bag, lanyard shirt and more.
- Access to the event over both days (obviously)
Tickets can be booked via the event’s new website HERE.
