For a long time, it has been a stereotype that those who attend comic or gaming conventions are nerds and geeks. One example of this is Japanese anime and manga. But in fact, it's now appealing to a wider audience.
With
SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show coming to Sydney Town Hall on Saturday 7 August, it will give newbies, as well as fans of the Japanese pop culture sensation to meet and show off their own creative talents.
The earliest known adoption of
anime, which is any form of animation from Japan, dates back to 1917 and is heavily influenced by
manga, also known as Japanese comics. One popular form was and continues to be is the character of
Astro Boy.
SMASH! will feature a number of events, including the popular
cosplay competition where fans dress up as characters from Japanese animation, comics and video games. There will also be art competitions and workshops, as well as gaming and
karaoke events. And for the first time, the event will play host to the finals of the
Bandai Action Kit Universal Cup, an international model-making competition where the winner will be able to represent Australia in the grand final in Hong Kong.
Five international guests will also be arriving just the event: Japanese voice actress
Yuko Miyamura, whose most famous for her role as Asuka in Neon Genesis Evangelion; writer, producer and director
Matt Greenfield; published comic artist
Mikiko Ponczeck; concept and freelance artist
Shaun "Endling" Healey; and American voice actress
Tiffany Grant.
Tickets for SMASH! are on advance sale for $20 and will be available on the day for $25.
