Cosplay Mania (CosMania) 2022, the largest and most anticipated cosplay and J-pop culture event in the country, will be taking place next weekend through October 1-2, 2022 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City, Philippines. It’ll be another cosplay-centered convention like the recent Cosplay Carnival, Anime and Cosplay Expo and FanFes, but this time, it’s hyped to “Re:ignite Your Passion” as it makes its epic comeback.
Cosplay Mania (CosMania) is one of the four annual events organized by Cosplay.ph. According to their website, they aim “to catch the best of everything related to Anime, Cosplay, Games, Collectibles, Virtual Idols, and J-Music at a Convention like no other.“ The event was first held in 2008 and continued on until the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, this will be the first Cosplay Mania in two years.
At its core, the convention features various events and experiences for its participants, especially beginner and veteran cosplayers. This year, the main exhibit hall will be holding fan fairs and stage programs where iconic CosMania talent competitions and guest appearances will take place. Meanwhile, the Special Performance Hall (Hall SP), will be holding the Cosplay Mania Cup, Fan Meet-and-Greets, and lastly, the anticipated event called the JAM (Japanese Anime Music) Concert where invited artists perform anisongs. To get everyone hyped up this year, they released a Cosplay Mania 2019 highlight reel.
Aside from joining in on the convention experience and meeting fellow con-goers, another thing to look forward to 2022’s Cosplay Mania is the unique lineup of guests of honor.
The first three cosplayer guests were already revealed during the last ACX 2022. The cosplayer guests are Yosuke Sora, a renowned cosplay personality and streamer in Singapore; Thames Malrose, who also attended ACX 2019 and just recently won the World Cosplay Summit Thailand; and lastly, Onnies, a passionate cosplayer and costume maker from Thailand who won the first runner-up at the AFA Regional Cosplay Championship.
In addition, cosplayer Hiroto Kuramasu, Japan’s popular Ikémen Series’ resident cosplayer, will also be making a special appearance. He is famous for “delivering hear-pounding memories to more than a thousand fans through kabedon events worldwide.” Another highlight of Cosplay Mania 2022 will be the appearance of the esteemed Nozomu Sasaki, the distinct voice of Yusuke Urameshi from YuYu Hakusho (Ghost Fighter), better known as “Eugene” in the localized Tagalog dub version.
Like the last Cosplay Mania in 2019 (and the recent Conquest Festival last July), virtual special guests will also join in. Vtubers Ayunda Risu and Kureiji Ollie from Hololive Indonesia, as well as the Cosmic Fox girl Kiichan, will be making a special appearance. Yashin Live will also be at Cosplay Mania 2022. Lastly, the anticipated JAM Concert will be featuring three performers; Vtubers Pavolia Reine, Moona Hoshinova, and Thai anisong singer, MindaRyn (Theme singer from Tensura, Arifureta, and Sakugan).
The special guests will also be hosting their respective Meet-and-Greets at Cosplay Mania 2022. Merchandise pre-orders, stage event schedules, meet-and-greet rules, and concert details are available to read on the Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQ) post made by the organizers of Cosplay Mania. Yashin Live’s event details are also posted on their website. They also remind fans that, while photos are allowed, they request that the talents’ faces be covered when posted online.
September 22 Update: According to a post by Manga Planet, Nozomu Sasaki will not be able to come to the Philippines anymore, but he will still be joining Day 2 of Cosplay Mania online. Manga Planet is also having a Twitter campaign for free tickets and meet-and-greets with the voice actor.
Local guests also include the J-pop song & dance performance group Seishun Kakumei, and the Filpino indie-idol group LoveSo. Girl groups Festa and DNE, as well as MJU:Z Kiss, will also be having a special performance on stage. Fans will be able to find cosplayers Lilith, Chichi, Mika Daime, and Asahina at the Codashop booth.
Like all other conventions hosted by Cosplay.ph, Cosplay Mania will once again be holding many cosplay-themed programs. The official program schedule has already been released.
These include Cosplay Anisong-It Challenge, Facepalm The Music, and Cosplay Conquest. Winners from previous conventions will face off at the cosplay contest, Cosplay Mania Cup, and the singing contest, Cosplay Karaoke Cup. Another costume contest called the Hall Cosplay Masquerade will be held on Day 2 of Cosplay Mania 2022. The registration process will be on-site only. Cash and prizes will be given to the winners.
District Cosplay Studio will also be returning with its pop-up studio for cosplayer con-goers to use for their photoshoot needs. In addition, the event sponsors Manga Planet, The Japan Foundation Manila, futekiya, Rotobox, Tamashii Nations, Codashop, Tower of Fantasy, Globe, Brother, and Aniporium (who we featured during ACX 2022 ) will also be having their respective exhibits.
Hotel101 Manila is offering discounts for Cosplay Mania 2022 attendees. Bilibili Philippines, the official anime and game streaming partner, will be live-streaming from 1:30 PM to 6:00 PM on both days of the event. Watch their Cosplay Mania 2022 teaser video with clips from the previous events:
Unfortunately, as of writing, all the tickets to Cosplay Mania 2022 have officially sold out. The organizers of the event prepared a ticket system that varies per price and access. To simplify, VIP ticket holders (PHP 1999.00 per day) will have full access to the Exhibit Hall and Special Program Hall (including reserved seating at the JAM Concert), and lounge access. Meanwhile, Gold ticket holders (PHP 899.00 per day) will also have access to the EX Hall and SP Hall (only free seating at the JAM Concert). Lastly, Silver ticket holders (PHP 499.00 per day) will only have access to the EX Hall and the day programs in the SP Hall.
There were also options for Silver and Gold ticket holders to upgrade to VIP. The previous discounted Ultra ticket (PHP399.00 per day) and Plus ticket (PHP 449.00) sold out quickly last July 17 and 22. There will be no ticket booths on-site.
Cosplay Mania (CosMania) 2022 is now just a week away! The entrance to the SMX Convention Center will open at 9:00 AM, while the doors will officially open at 10:00 AM. Entry for Silver Tickets and Tyvek Holders will be at the SMX Main Entrance, while entry for Gold, VIP, Titanium Holders, and Priority Lane will be at the SMX MOA Side Entrance.
The convention will be using the spaces of Function Rooms 1-5 on the second floor. Information such as the event map and exhibitor list, and program schedule is available to view and download on their website. See you there!
Source: Cosplay.ph Official Website, Official Cosplay Mania Facebook, Twitter
Disclaimer: Anime Corner is a media partner for Cosplay Mania 2022.