Cosplay Mania 2024 took off last weekend and was brimming with excitement for everything anime, cosplay, and Japanese pop culture. As one of the biggest and most awaited events in the Philippines, CosMania brought together a lineup of amazing talents and a hall full of passionate creatives. Adding to the fun were the exciting gacha machines, anime figure displays, and even a large Pizza Hut for everything gaming. It was also cool to see the Embassy of Japan joining in on the culture exchange, and while the stage had its fun too, I think my favorite would be the Yoshinoya Gyudon Eating Contest and the karaoke moments. All in all, Cosplay Mania was a lively place to be — the ultimate paradise for every otaku and cosplay fan.
Aside from the JAM Concert guests (which I sadly did not get to see), the main highlights of Cosplay Mania 2024 were the esteemed cosplayers: Taryn from Italy, Byoru from Vietnam, and Lea from Malaysia. All of them were glowing with amazing talent. I was able to watch all of their interviews on stage, but the one that stuck with me the most was Taryn’s advice to his Filipino fans. He mentioned that you have to be open to learning something new in your craft and always stay motivated.
In a funny turn of events, the inspiring mood turned silly as the host proceeded to give Taryn the famous Jollibee Spaghetti (sweet-blend sauce), which was both hilarious and painful to watch. In the end, Taryn said that it tasted good but to also “keep it in the Philippines.”
One of the best parts of a convention is having the chance to roam around the place, meet people, take photos, and engage in conversation. Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, the idea of fitting in a place is always a good feeling! It could be one person or an entire community to open that door for you. At Cosplay Mania 2024, we give our appreciation to the people who make the place better.
There’s the FanFair with its creative artwork (RIP wallet), the All-Star Alley with amazing cosplay superstars, and the exhibits with their exciting merchandise. Although there was no photographer’s area this year, both cosplayers and photographers still made their photoshoots possible. The crafters, sculptors, and wig stylists also blended in as their workmanship went off to display in the crowd. All of this at the convention is not only a way to support local artists, but also as an inspiration and continued avenues for our hobbies, interests, and moments with friends.
It’s my third year covering these events with Anime Corner. I’ve written quite a lot of things by now: from how it felt to attend a convention after the pandemic, about a young Chainsaw Man cosplayer and crafter, a spontaneous T-Rex battle, appreciating cosplay photographers and their creative processes, and how it is “good people who make good places.” I’ve been going on and on about celebrating the arts and fandoms all this time. Although these events get tiring and repetitive sometimes, they also come with invaluable life experiences and memories. This year’s Cosplay Mania is no exception to that.
You could not miss the lively atmosphere inside Cosplay Mania 2024. Everyone was in high spirits, excited to see different cosplayers and creatives. It’s amazing to be a part of it, but this realization also strikes as a moment of wonder. Friends tell me they are burned out, tired, or are moving on to other things. All these people live a life as complex as my own, and as much as I love the community, I have to remember that the times move on. As the quote goes, “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.”
Nevertheless, Cosplay Mania 2024 is another one for the books. Some things change for the better, some do not, but others…well, some others are good just the way they are. Running into old friends, for instance, while sharing stories, is always a happy one. And to be reminded of the passion of their creative talents? You’ll want nothing but to give them all the love and support they deserve. That said, I invite you all to take a look at Eprim Digital’s vibrant photos of Cosplay Mania 2024!
As my Cosplay Mania 2024 article comes to an end, I become sentimental as I look back at everything. I feel incredibly honored to have had the opportunity to meet (and write about) so many talented and hard-working people who have found their passion and continue to stay inspired in each of their own crafts, be it cosplay, drawing, crafting, photography, and more. If there’s one thing I learned from these conventions, it is that passion inspires purpose. It is a lot of good energy shared, and if we keep at it, it’ll hopefully remain a place for us to come back to fondly every year.
Special thanks to everyone at Cosplay.ph and Cosplay Mania! Thank you as well to Kuya Ian, Tamara, and Eprim Digital for their support with my coverage.
Disclaimer: Anime Corner is a media partner for Cosplay Mania 2024.
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