The Best of Anime (BOA), one of the biggest and most recognized Japanese anime and pop culture conventions in the Philippines, is set to return on September 16, 2023. It will be held at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City. Primetrade Asia, Inc. organizes this event with the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.
After three years of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event’s theme is dedicated to delivering and looking back on memorable moments. The event is officially titled “The Best of Anime (BOA) 2023: The Reunion.” The organizers aim to “thrill our loyal patrons and all anime fans with entertaining activities and outstanding performances.”
See the official BOA 2023 poster and event schedule below:
Tickets to BOA 2023 can be purchased through SM Ticket outlets or on the SM Ticket website. Regular Tickets are 410 PHP while Premium Tickets (with Fan Meets) are 1,345 PHP.
The Best of Anime’s Musical Guest Performers
UchuSentai: NOIZ is a Japanese visual kei band known for their highly energetic music and live performances, as well as their eccentric and unique outfits. They are currently holding their 20th-anniversary tour across Japan with band members ANGEL-TAKA (lead vocals), MASATO (guitar and vocals), KOTARO (guitar), KYO (bass), and YAMATO (drums).
Locally, the band is well-known for performing covers of popular OPM (Original Pinoy Music) such as “Narda”, “Liwanag sa Dilim” and “Pinoy Ako.” They also participated in the ABS-CBN reality talent show “I Love OPM” in 2016. UchuSentai: NOIZ first appeared at The Best of Anime in 2012 and has been a returning guest in BOA.
Starmarie is a Japanese idol group known for its music and charm that has been mesmerizing fans since 2008. They are currently composed of Nozomi Kishita (Nonchan), Shino Takamori (Shinohamu), Hiroka Matsuzaki (Hiichan), and Monya Nakane (Monya). Notable performances in their discography include “Mekurumeku Yuuki” as the ending theme song to Cardfight!! Vanguard G and “Natsu ni Nare!” to Cardfight!! Vanguard G NEXT. Starmarie first appeared at The Best of Anime in 2012 and has been a returning guest since.
Miura Ayme is known as the voice of the fabulous fifth born, Asmodeus, in the otome video game and anime series Obey Me! He also sang its opening theme songs “Sinful Indulgence,” “Celestial Ray,” and “Loveless.” If you didn’t know, he is the former lead singer of the visual kei rock band Ecthelion, where he was from 2013 to 2015 until he started his solo career in 2018. He has traveled and performed across the globe since then, but this will be his first time in the Philippines.
Chicken Blow the Idol is a Japanese rock idol group composed of Kazahana Assa, Touwa Mayoi, Akari Mikan, and Tsubomi Ruko. The group’s theme and story is how shy and timid girls become idols on stage while using their youthful rock music as their weapon of choice (the weak punch also called a “chicken blow”) and wearing school uniform-like costumes. The group has notably performed in different venues across Japan. Chicken Blow the Idol is also set to hold its first big solo concert on September 26 at Zepp Shinjuku.
Pastel Mix is a Davao-based J-pop idol group that has performed various cover songs from AKB48, Love Live!, Walküre, Babymetal, and more. The group first began in 2008 as Nyan Nyan, a cover group of the popular Japanese girl group Buono. The group is presently an official performer of Ambox Events.
The Best of Anime’s Special Cosplayer Guests
Reika Arikawa is a cosplayer who is well-known for her accurate portrayal of popular characters, as well as her incredibly detailed costumes. She has been a part of Japan’s rich cosplay scene for many years and has attended popular anime and pop culture events in over 50 countries around the world. Reika returns to The Best of Anime 2023 and will be holding a workshop to teach everyone how to properly do cosplay make-up. There will also be a special fan meet session.
AC Hernandez, a World Cosplay Summit (WCS) Philippines alumni, will also be holding workshops about making sword props including patterning, constructions, and using common materials. He will also be talking about why do-it-yourself props are better in the long run.
Hernandez is one-half of the group Team Namikaze with Jin Joson who won the Brother Award for Best Costume at the WCS in Nagoya, Japan in 2021. The Butuan-based cosplayer is also one-half of Team M.A.R.C.H. Omega who represented the Philippines and was awarded Grand Champion in the Asian Regional Cosplay Championship during the Anime Festival Asia (2011). He has also worked in theatrical plays such as Ibong Adarna by Ballet Manila and The Lion King musical (2017).
Monya from Starmarie will also be walking the BOA Cosplay catwalk and will be showing off her style and craft to everyone.
About BOA and Primetrade Asia, Inc.
The Best of Anime is an event that promotes Japanese Pop Culture through education, exhibition, and entertainment. Throughout the years, it had established its position in the anime scene earning its claim as one of the biggest anime conventions in the Philippines and its experience for con-goers to “indulge in all things anime.”
Primetrade Asia, Inc. is a pioneer in the field of event organization and management with more than 25 years of track record. Their experiences range from corporate to conference, trade fairs to exhibitions, logistics management to marketing and communication, advertisements, promotions, and event design. They are notably known for organizing the Manila International Book Fair, which is also set to take place on the same weekend and venue as The Best of Anime 2023.
Source: Press Release, The Best of Anime Facebook
© 2023 Primetrade Asia Inc.
