A celebration of Japanese culture and pop-culture
Presented by: Oz Asia Festival
Reviewed: 28 October, 2024
AnimeGO! has been a feature of Adelaide’s OzAsia Festival for many years, offering a celebration of Japanese culture and pop-culture.
In 2024 the attractions include all the essential Japanese pop culture trappings: original anime, manga, and cosplay competitions, dance performances, maid cafe, artist alley, karaoke and arcade games. Taking over the Adelaide Festival Centre foyer for the day, it is laid out like a convention style event, taking place over six hours.
The maid cafe is decorated with seasonally creepy pumpkins. It boasts cheerful hosts and a blossom photo wall. While the service is kawaii, the menu is not significantly different from a local cafe. The Main Stage is tucked behind the Quartet Bar, rather close to the cafe, which creates noise pollution (a recurring problem this year.) The seating for the Main Stage is somehow both cramped and inadequate, with people awkwardly watching as they stand in the back.
While the quality of the cosplay competition cannot be disputed, there are only seven entrants, which results in a very short parade. This is a shame considering the amount of people who attend AnimeGO! in costume, although perhaps these are store bought and not handmade.
By 4pm the event has become very quiet, except for the karaoke rooms which boom throughout. While obviously a popular attraction, the noise bleeds through the thin, temporary walls into the arcade next door. Here there is a wide selection of Japanese computer and arcade games. Crane machines generate more light and noise pollution, attempting to lure attendees with Pop Vinyl figurines, which are vaguely related to Japan. If you can work past the din, it is well worth spending a few hours exploring the different games on offer.
Artist alley features a mixture of talented local artists, kawaii clothes, and imported figurines. Sanrio and Sumikko Gurashi characters abound. The displays are colourful and the vendors are welcoming, happy to chat with passers-by. But for whatever reason, not many people make purchases.
Whether the planning, venue, or somewhat low attendance, it is difficult to say… The event is clearly organised by people with genuine interest in and enthusiasm for Japanese pop culture. There are many details that work. For example, the wealth of unique selfie backdrops, the Jessie Hui exhibit, music and dance performances, and the kimono for hire stall (for those who come under dressed.) However, this year AnimeGO! lacks heart and soul. Ultimately, it feels like kawaii stalls crowded into an awkwardly shaped foyer.
Reviewed by: Nicola Woolford
Photo credit: Xplorer Media George Chan
Venue: Adelaide Festival Centre
Season: 28vOctober, 2024
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