Event Through Lens: Anime Festival Asia Indonesia 2012

There are many Japanese culture events here in Indonesia. Like Ennichisai in Blok M or Gelar Jepang in University of Indonesia (Universitas Indonesia) or TokyoPolis in Mangga Dua for the example. Now, this one is different. Because, for the first time ever, AFA was held in Indonesia! Yes, this is my report of Anime Festival Asia Indonesia 2012, or AFAID'12 for short, in JI Expo Kemayoran, Jakarta.

Some proof that I came to that event

AFA is originally from Singapore. And, of course, the event itself also being held there. AFA itself is a Japanese culture event that features anime as the main course of the event, which often people call it anime festival. It also comes along with some of its goods, merchandises, cosplays, and the most exciting from all, the anisong concert; making it the biggest anime festival ever in South East Asia. That event grows the popularity of Japanese culture a lot in South East Asia region. Because of that, they make other venue outside Singapore. First is in Malaysia, called AFAML. And second is this, the AFAID in Indonesia.

AFAID'12 was held at 1^st and 2^nd of September 2012. The ticket itself were separated in 3 types; exhibition only ticket, exhibition + stage ticket, and Super Anisong Stage ticket included with exhibition + stage ticket as well. And for the anisong concert ticket, you will get a price cut if you buy for both 2 days. I only came at the final day and also I only bought the exhibition + stage ticket. Not a good thing though, but also not a bad thing either. Because I ever come to the international event before, such as The Indonesian International Motor Show or World Stamp Championship. But that event was held by Indonesia. AFA is from Singapore. So that was my first experience of coming to the international event held by a country outside Indonesia. Well, next time, I'll buy the anisong concert ticket as well. Because my friends who watch the anisong concert said that it was cool. Well then, let me start the report!

Note: that was still in the morning 

The crowd still continues until the main entrance

Me (blue chequered shirt w/ long white sleeves) in the exhibition hall entrance

Good Smile Company booth

Danny Choo's Culture Japan booth

 Note: This is not Danny Choo's car

Even so, it's still a Mirai itasha, right?

 MiraiClock app for iOS. Will available for Android soon

Figure owner's club section

 Inside S.H.Figuarts Indonesia booth

Inside Figmania booth

 Inside Nendonesia booth

 MEME FACES!

 VGI (Video Games Indonesia) booth

 Inside, you can play Persona 4 Arena PS3 game. Maybe it was also for competition use

The crowd outside Moe Moe Kyun Maid Cafe. So much boys (and some girls) filled there

And so much girls at the Atelier Royale Butler Cafe

Animax booth

There were also a local hobby shops,

an AFA merchandise shop,

and also local toys shop

Bushiroad booth, which was actually right in front of the exhibition hall entrance, with Cardfight!! Vanguard as the main product of the booth

 Inside, they were also held a qualifier for Cardfight!! Vanguard World Championship 2012

They were also sell their product as well

Let's continue to the AFAID stage hall. In the stage hall, attendants were not allow to bring foods, drinks, and cameras. There were also some securities checking on it. But me, using my own skill, could pass through with all of those things in my bag. But, to make things fair, I wasn't use my camera, nor eating my food, though I still drank my water anyway. So, the only thing I did capture in the stage hall was this:

The AFAID main stage

The events in the AFAID stage hall were a talkshow with Taiwanese cosplayer, Akatsuki Tsukasa, a screening of Eureka 7 AO anime featuring Stereopony, and "K" anime talkshow with pre-air screening featuring angela and KANAME, the Super Anisong Stage artiste appearance (angela, KOTOKO, Sea*A, and Stereopony), ARCC Indonesia Qualifiers final, and CLAS:H cosplay experience. After that, the stage was closed for around 1,5 hours for the preparation for Super Anisong Stage. Since I didn't watch the anisong concert, so I went home.

That's about it for my journey to AFAID'12. Here's some extra for you. To you people who curious about how crowded the event was, here are some pictures for you:

This was taken at around 2 pm

And this was happened 2 hours later