After a big weekend of anime fun? Look no further than to the Madman Anime Festival, the biggest festival of its kind in Australia happening on the weekend of November 4 and 5.
As the country’s leading purveyor of anime, the festival (also called MadFest) promises to excite fans of anime, manga and Japanese otaku culture with its can’t miss events and must-see guests.
Australian premiere screenings
One of the biggest attractions during Madfest weekend is its series of Aussie premiere screenings.
Fans of Fate/stay night should not miss out on Fate/stay night [Heaven’s Feel], the newest movie adapted from the popular game series. If you love JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, be sure to see the live-action adaption directed by Takashi Miike, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable – Chapter 1. The highly anticipated prequel to MADHOUSE series No Game No Life will also premiere at MadFest as will Studio Ponoc’s Mary and the Witch’s Flower, the new film from Hiromasa Yonebayashi (When Marnie Was There).
See these films make their Australian debuts and see it before everyone else in the country!
Meet the professionals
Voice actors, anime creators and more will also grace MadFest with their presence to provide fans and attendees with insight on what it’s like to be part of the anime industry.
Shinichiro Watanabe, the legendary creator behind anime masterpieces Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, will be appearing at the festival to talk about his career and the lasting influence his series’ have had.
Bryce Papenbrook, who voices Eren Jaeger in Attack on Titan and Kirito in Sword Art Online, will also come on stage and talk about his voice acting experience.
And as part of the Fate franchise showcase, Madman has also invited voice actress Kana Ueda and producer Atsuhiro Iwakami to speak at its panel.
Idol performances
Don’t just hear from the professionals speak – listen to some of them perform as well! Australian-born personality. Ladybeard, the internet sensation who was included in idol gropup LADYBABY, will be performing at the the festival and spreading his unique brand of cuteness and destruction. Ladybeard has worked as a professional wrestler in Japan and is currently an actor, voice actor and J-Pop performer. Meet with Ladybeard across MadFest’s two days — attend his Q&A on Saturday and see him perform on Sunday!
Also, a special concert screening of LoveLive! Sunshine!! Aqours First LoveLive! ～Step! ZERO to ONE～ will also be featured during the Festival. If you are a big fan for this spectacular anime idol group, don’t miss out.
Cosplay Celebration
This year, as part of its marvellous cosplay celebration, MadFest have invited both local and international cosplay stars, including Ely (Taiwan), Orochi X (Australia), AmenoKitarou (Australia), Pinky Lu Xun (Australia), and Knitemaya (Australia).
There will also be a cosplay parade where attendees can dress up as their favourite anime characters and present their costumes on stage. The Madman National Cosplay Championship Finals will also be hosted during the festival where attendees can marvel at the country’s best cosplay artist. The winner of the event will win a trip for two to Japan!
Exhibitions, shops and maid cafes
Other things to do around MadFest include exhibitions dedicated to popular anime series such as Attack on Titan, Sword Art Online, Cowboy Bebop and Makoto Shinkai‘s hugely successful film, Your Name. The Akiba Shopping Zone returns where attendees can buy goods from their favourite anime franchises.
The Mai-Wish Maid and Butler Café will also return to the festival, importing similar maid/butler cafe practises from Japan. These café sessions run on an hourly basis and attendees will not only enjoy a meal but can also take personalised Instax photos with a maid/butler too.
The Madman Anime Festival will take place on November 4 – 5 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. For more information on the 2017 Madman Anime Festival, refer to their website.