Finding fun in the rain can be as simple as embracing the weather and enjoying indoor activities or venturing out for some unique outdoor adventures, or in this case, an anime convention in Manila called the Anime and Cosplay Expo 2025.
A cozy, lighthearted yet lively festival in the rainy season– the Anime and Cosplay Expo is one of the biggest cosplay and anime events organized by Cosplay.ph throughout the year. Also known as ACX for short, the event is a festival meant to celebrate our favorite things about the anime and cosplay culture in the Philippines.
From the loud anime music (everyone unites to the songs of KPOP Demon Hunters) to the colorful shopping booths, to the bubbly interactions from one fangirl to another — the ACX 2025 halls were brimming with excitement and energy despite the gloomy weather outside. Many con-goers and cosplayers came through! Everyone, in their own ways, joined in on the raindrop reveries of cosplay competitions, crazy auctions, shopping at the hobby stores, all-star alleys, artist tables, picture-taking at the roaming grounds, and many more.
However, what makes ACX 2025 truly unique among all the other events this year is the vibrant energy of the special guest, who brightened everyone’s rainy day.
Anime and Cosplay Expo 2025 Guest Spotlight – Kanalyss
The highlight of Anime and Expo 2025 was no other than the cosplay special guest Kanalyss, coming all the way from the U.S. On the first day of the event, she beautifully performed “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Sign wa B,” “Baka Mitai,” and “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again.” From ballad to pop to trumpet solos — Kanalyss showed off her amazing vocal talents while dressed as Lili from Tekken.
Despite the storm that day, plenty of her fans came to see and cheer for the multi-talented internet-famous cosplayer. I myself was part of the second batch of meet-and-greets, and my experience talking to Kanalyss is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I will treasure. She was so friendly and fun (she liked my RuJinu shirt) and was actually much cuter and dazzling in person.
On the second day, she adorned an adorable Marcille cosplay from Delicious in Dungeon and indulged the audience with her cosplay journey and tips. She shared that all her hobbies are connected to cosplay, like being an otaku, photography, sewing, propmaking, makeup, singing, and enjoying brainrot memes. She also likes doing cosplay photoshoots for other cosplayers when she’s not shooting her own photoshoot. Her creative process includes: watching the anime and saving the references, preparing the costume and wig, choosing the location and props, and lastly, after practicing, doing the shoot and editing the footage.
Kanalyss also imparted some meaningful advice: “Just do what you like. Do creative things and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do anything. If something doesn’t work the first time –your first photoshoot, your first cosplay, if it doesn’t feel as good as you like or it’s not as good as other people or anything like that — just try again! Keep improving and keep evolving!”
A lot of the con-goers dressed up as their favorite anime characters and whatnot. Perhaps others would agree when I say that the building was very full of fun energy and inspiration with all these creative people making the most out of the weekend. Some cosplays were radiantly put together, while some were more humorous or simple than others
Of course, my article can’t conclude without the cosplay gallery! Head to the next page to see more of our Anime and Cosplay Expo 2025 cosplay gallery.
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