AFA 2013: I ♥ ANISONG ELISA (Interview)

ELISA

Photo Credits:  Project Harata

ELISA is a singer and model from Kanagawa Prefecture. She entered the music industry through a modelling contest in high school. Known for her wide vocal range, she has performed in Japan's largest anisong festival, Animelo Summer Live for four consecutive years since 2008.

Valvrave the Liberator 2nd Season ED: REALISM

Image Credits: SUNRISE/VVV Committee, MBS

This year, after a 16-month-hiatus, ELISA is back, singing the ending theme songs for Valvrave the Liberator. Like angela, ELISA performed in I ♥ ANISONG: Valvrave Night, with this concert being her first in Singapore.

Read on to find out more about her in Project Harata's interview!

Note: As this was a round robin interview,  we would like to credit the various media entities who were in the same group as us!

~Cheryl

AFA 2013: I ♥ ANISONG angela (Interview)

Atsuko and KATSU from angela

Photo Credits:  Project Harata

angela is one of the most popular Anisong bands in Japan, known for catchy theme/ending songs, such as "KINGS", the theme song of K. They made their debut in 2003, with "明日へのbrilliant road", the opening of Stellvia, and this year marks their 10th anniversary! Together with other Anisong artistes like T.M. Revolution and Elisa, angela performed in AFA'13 I ♥ ANISONG : Valvrave Night.

Read on to find out more about them in Project Harata's interview!

~Cheryl

[Photos] Preview to Comic Fiesta 2013 @ KLCC

Hello everyone! This year, the Project Harata team made it down to Comic Fiesta and had a chance to view the exhibition while it's being set up!

Check out the really huge exhibition area!

~Emi 

AFA 2013: Guest Cosplayers Angie and Ying Tze (Interview)

Angie as Kotori from Love Live! and Ying Tze as Enoshima Junko from Dangan Ronpa
Photo Credits:  Project Harata

At AFA'13, Project Harata had the chance to interview guest cosplayers from Malaysia, Angie and Ying Tze who are also known as MMK meidos Ringo and Mio! They are rising cosplay stars in South East Asia known for their handmade costumes and amazing portrayals of characters. Both of them juggle their studies while going to international events.

Read on to find out more about their cosplay lives!

Note: As this was a round robin interview,  we would like to credit the various media entities who were in the same group as us!

~Cheryl

AFA 2013: AFA Cafe Experience

Picture Credits: MMK Facebook

AFA Cafe
(Moe Moe Kyun Cafe + Atelier Royale)

Event: Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2013

Organised By: Sozo, Dentsu

Date: 8th - 10th Nov 2013

Location: Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre

Link: http://www.animefestival.asia/

For lunch, we headed down to AFA Cafe with Jimmy (representing Tokyo Otaku Mode) to check it out! Click to read about our experience there (with a short bonus clip!)

~Emi

Anime Festival Asia (AFA) 2013 Day 2 & 3 (Part 2)

Event: Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2013

Organised By: Sozo, Dentsu

Date: 8th - 10th Nov 2013

Location: Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre

Link: http://www.animefestival.asia/

Continuing on from Day 1, here's a summary of Day 2 and Day 3! 

If you have not seen part 1 of our coverage, click HERE.

Or copy and paste this link: http://projectharata.blogspot.sg/2013/11/anime-festival-asia-afa-2013-day-2-3.html

~ Cheryl 
(with tiny inputs from Emi in greyish purple)

STGCC 2013: Redjuice (Interview)

A picture of the man himself, Redjuice!
Photo Credits: STGCC

A popular illustrator from the Kouchi prefecture in Japan, Redjuice (a.k.a. Shiru) blessed this year's Singapore Toys, Games and Comics Convention (STGCC) with his presence! For those who do not know who Redjuice is, maybe if i told you that he was a key character designer for the anime "Guilty Crown", then it would ring a few bells in your mind. Project Harata was lucky enough to squeeze in a quick interview with this awesome artist, and I sure was glad to meet such a well reknowned illustrator :)


Photo Credits: STGCC

Without further ado, the interview!
~ Rian

Anime Festival Asia (AFA) 2013 Day 2 & 3 (Part 1)

Event: Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2013

Organised By: Sozo, Dentsu

Date: 8th - 10th Nov 2013

Location: Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre

Link: http://www.animefestival.asia/

Continuing on from Day 1, here's a summary of Day 2 and Day 3! Even after walking around the event repeatedly, I have to say I was kept entertained with the many stage performances and booths!

~ Cheryl

STGCC 2013: Aza Miyuko (Interview)

Aza as Inori from the popular hit anime, Guilty Crown
Photo Credits: STGCC

A cosplay sensation, Aza Miyuko is a well known cosplayer hailing from Korea. She made her way down to this year's Singapore Toys, Games and Comics Convention (STGCC) to be a VIP of this year's annual event. She was definitely a hit with the crowd at the main event, with many people queuing up to take pictures with her and trying to talk to her. I'm just glad that Emi and I were able to get to sit down and talk with her for a quick interview :) I hope she'll be able to get to return back to Singapore for another event!

~Rian

*Note: As this was a round robin interview, not all the questions were asked by us. Credits to all the other media entities who contributed questions!

Event Update: Anime Festival Asia 2013 presents 3 Days of Japanese Popular Culture Extravaganza

Artistes at the media preview yesterday

Photo Credits: AFA

Singapore, 8 November 2013 – Anime Festival Asia, South-east Asia’s largest premium experiential festival for Japanese Popular Culture returns for its 6th year today. For the first time, exhibition grounds, stage and concert halls are open for all three days from 8 to 10 November 2013 at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre. Jointly organised by Japanese investors Dentsu Inc & Zepp Live Entertainment, and Singapore-based organiser SOZO, Anime Festival Asia 2013 expects to welcome over 80,000 local and overseas visitors.

Anime Festival Asia (AFA) 2013 Day 1

Event: Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2013

Organised By: Sozo, Dentsu

Date: 8th - 10th Nov 2013

Location: Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre

Link: http://www.animefestival.asia/

Project Harata headed down to Suntec on the first day of AFA for a media preview! Unlike previous years, the exhibitions were open on Friday as well, and it was already quite crowded (The SAO booth was mostly empty by 3pm)!

~ New Junior Writer, Cheryl
Emi is busy with studies so I will be covering the event this time! よろしくお願いします！

Event Update: Anime Festival Asia 2013 Singapore

Event: Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2013

Organised By: Sozo, Dentsu

Date: 8th - 10th Nov 2013

Location: Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre

Link: http://www.animefestival.asia/

Looking forward to Anime Festival Asia (SG) tomorrow? Check out some of the offers that they will be having at the event!

(Note: These updates were gathered from AFA's Facebook as well as Sony's Facebook Pages)

~Emi

Singapore Toys, Games and Comic Convention (STGCC) 2013 Day 2

Event: Singapore Toy Game & Comic Convention (STGCC)

Organised By: Reed Exhibitions

Date: 31st Aug - 1st Sept 2013

Time: 10am - 8pm

Location: Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre (MBS)

Link: http://www.singaporetgcc.com/

On the first of last month, the Project Harata team went down to Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre (MBSCC) in the heart of Singapore’s business district for the annual Singapore Toys Games and Comics Convention (STGCC for short). However, as it was Emi’s birthday on that day, I worked alone that day to let her do her own thing for her birthday. So here’s my recap of a sad, lonely time at STGCC (sobsob).
[just kidding, haha! (: ]
  ~Rian

Singapore Toys, Games and Comic Convention (STGCC) 2013 Day 1

Event: Singapore Toy Game & Comic Convention (STGCC)

Organised By: Reed Exhibitions

Date: 31st Aug - 1st Sept 2013

Time: 10am - 8pm

Location: Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre (MBS)

Link: http://www.singaporetgcc.com/

*Warning: Tons of photos ahead!

Part 2: http://projectharata.blogspot.sg/2013/10/singapore-toys-games-and-comic_14.html

Last month we headed to the Marina Bay Sands Convention and Exhibition Center for the Singapore Toy, Games & Comic Convention. This year marks the second since Singapore’s largest toys and comics convention has shifted to MBS from Suntec. 

~Emi

STGCC 2013: Vampy Bit Me aka Linda Le (Interview)

Picture Credits : STGCC

I'm sure that a portion of you will jump at the sight of this beautiful girl's name.
Vampy Bit Me, also known as Linda Le, is a western cosplayer hailing from the US of A.


Picture Credits : STGCC
Meeting her was a very exciting thing for me, because for once i was able to meet a cosplayer this popular and all. (Still a newbie at media here, haha..)
So anyway, enough about me and more onto Vampy!~

~ Rian

*Note: As this was a round robin interview, not all the questions were asked by us. Credits to all the other media entities who contributed questions!

[Sponsored] Naoki Yoshihara by Ash

Thank you Street Angels SG and Naoki Yoshihara by Ash for this wonderful opportunity to get my hair cut and permed at the newly open salon @ Liang Court! 

Naoki Yoshihara by Ash

Phone: 6333 5662

Location: 177 River Valley Road #02-15/16 Liang Court

Singapore, Singapore 179030

Disclaimer: Whilst I was sponsored this hair cut by the salon, the review will be 100% true to my experience!

~ Emi

AFA SG 2013 Announcement!

SOZO has just release the website for Anime Festival Asia (Singapore) and announce the lineup for the concerts. Fan of the invited guest prepare to shell out money for tickets~!

Event: Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2013

Organised By: Sozo, Dentsu

Date: 8th - 10th Nov 2013

Location: Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre

Link: http://www.animefestival.asia/

Check out the announcement below!

~Emi

STGCC 2013: Hideo Baba (Interview)

Picture Credits : STGCC

Some of you will know this Japanese game producer from his popular game series, the "Tales of" series. This series includes titles like Tales of Xillia and Tales of Graces, released in 2011 and 2009 respectively.

Picture Credits : STGCC

It was an honour to meet such an awesome game producer, although this is my first interview.

I was nervous at first, so i couldn't really churn out many questions to ask..

Will try to become a better interviewer!

Before i go and babble on, here's the interview with Hideo Baba!

~Rian

We would also like to credit the other bloggers who were in the same round robin interview group as us, so if you're interested, do check out their blogs too!

The Neo Tokyo Project
Ani-Culture
Speedknight

//If we missed out anyone, please drop a comment and we will credit you too!

~Emi

STGCC 2013: Media Preview - Photo Pimp!

Singapore Toy, Games and Comic Convention (STGCC) 2013

Date: 31st Aug & 1st Sept (Sat/Sun) 

Time: 10am - 8pm

Venue: Hall B & C, Level 1

Sands Expo & Convention Centre

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 

Nearest MRT: Bayfront MRT (Circle Line)

The Project Harata team was invited to the Media Preview for STGCC on Thursday, 28th August 2013. 

Last year, I (Emi) went together with Seren, but since she's overseas now pursuing higher education, there' s a new junior writer taking her place ~ *drumrolls* Rian! 

Media Release: STGCC sets off on an exhilarating pop culture expedition

STGCC sets off on an exhilarating pop culture expedition

• Star-studded league of 24 celebrated personalities from 8 countries
• Over 180 exhibitors with toys, games and comics offerings
• Close to 120 STGCC exclusives and product launches

Singapore, 31 August 2013 – The Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention (STGCC)has swung upon the shores with a splash of pop culture coolness and heavyweight offerings. Taking place over the weekend of 31 August and 1 September at the Sands Exhibition and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, this year’s STGCC boasts a power-packed line-up from exhibitors to pop culture personalities alike.

With over 180 exhibitors, this year’s STGCC is expected to attract massive crowds of 38,000 local and regional fans over the weekend. Fans will be delighted with near 120 exclusive pop culture offerings from headline exhibitors such as entertainment giant Disney, premium toy figurine companies Hot Toys and ENTERBAY, and famous game developer NAMCO BANDAI.

Not only are the 24 notable personalities from both Eastern and Western pop culture scenes here to meet and greet fans, but some of them have brought their very own crafts to STGCC. Simone Legno, inventor of the much raved tokidoki brand, has brought in a limited edition vinyl unicorno which was first launched at the San Diego Comic Con 2013. David Mack, famed for his Daredevil and KABUKI, has brought in his newest Neil Gaiman print and original art pages from his highly-acclaimed works. From the East, illustrator and designer redjuice will arrive armed with his most popular art books. Get your collectibles autographed by the creators themselves at STGCC!

Be dazzled by the interactive exhibition booths and exclusive show screenings on the show floor. Don’t forget to snap photos of the spectacular display of the Hall of Armor and holographic display showcases, which recreate the movie setting from this year’s blockbuster Iron Man III.

Media Release: Hot Toys gears up for action at STGCC 2013

STGCC is happening just next weekend! Are you ready for it? Check out the latest updates from the organisers:

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Singapore, 16 August 2013 – With just two more weeks to an explosive action-packed weekend, the Singapore Toy, Game and Comic Convention (STGCC) unleashes the crowning content from Hot Toys, together with more talented pop culture personalities joining the Walk of Fame.

Image Credtis: STGCC Official Website

Media Release: Constellation of Star Toy Designers and Toy Exclusives at STGCC 2013

More Asian pop culture personalities coming aboard the show

Image Credtis: STGCC Official Website

Singapore, 25 July 2013 – Members of the illustrious toy-designing faculty have confirmed their presence at the Singapore Toy, Game and Comic Convention (STGCC), and this army of toy designers is sure to set tongues wagging and hearts aflutter. These incredibly gifted toy designers with huge international cult followings include Angry Woebots, Jesse Yu akaJ★RYU and Luke Chueh.

Adding on to the impressive list, premium toy figurine company ENTERBAY marches in with their exclusive NBA collection, and this will be their first launch in Singapore at STGCC. Perennial crowd favourite Hot Toys returns with its 2013 Toy Fairs Exclusive, comprising three macho figures from The First Avenger, G.I. Joe Retaliation and Superman III. Founder of the much-lauded tokidoki, Simone Legno is back in town with his popular merchandise.

As the spotlight shifts to highlight the eastern pop culture personalities, fans will rejoice at the sight of more famous names joining the line-up. From Korea, we have cosplayer Aza(previously known as Miyuko) with her dashing costumes, and from Japan, we have Yuyoyuppe, vocaloid producer with his ground-shaking pieces. Also from Japan, NAMCO BANDAI Games brings in Hideo Baba, who oversaw the birth of the Tales of series, one of the most critically acclaimed Japanese role-playing game (J-RPG)franchises. Baba-san will be here to experience his first trip to Singapore for STGCC.

Media Release: Go “MAD” with Joe Madureira at STGCC 2013!

Image Credtis: STGCC Official Website

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Joe-Madureira/157043750975722

Singapore, 10 July 2013 – Come September, Joe Madureira will make his first paramount appearance in Singapore at the highly-anticipated Singapore Toy, Game and Comic Convention (STGCC) 2013. Marvel Comics book writer/artist and game developer, he is acclaimed for his works on Marvel Comics’ Uncanny X-Men and his creator-owned comic book Battle Chasers.

Affectionately known as Joe MAD among his fans, his latest art style is coloured with influence from Japanese manga and anime.

Recently, Joe MAD is working hard to dish out more fascinating artwork of fans’ favourite characters from Marvel Comics. Reunited with writer Zeb Wells for the latest Savage Wolverine, which started an arc pitting Wolverine and Elektra against formidable agents of the ninja cult, the original Avenging Spider-Man creative team has once again combined forces to create earth-shattering works for avid comic fans.

Joe MAD will be here in Singapore for the first time at STGCC, and he will be joining the Walk of Fame to get up-close and personal with his fans. He will be bringing along some surprises as well, exclusively for fans only.

Be sure to catch Joe MAD in action at STGCC, which will be held at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Marina Bay Sands from 31 August to 1 September 2013.

Media Release: STGCC 2013 returns to galvanise Singapore’s pop culture sphere!

Image Credtis: STGCC Official Website

Marvel Comics’ artists Adi Granov and David Mack headline the first wave of pop culture personalities

Singapore, 17 June 2013 – The annual Singapore Toy, Game and Comic Convention (STGCC) is back for another electrifying weekend to satisfy the pop culture cravings of fans in the Southeast Asia. Fans can look forward to meeting Marvel Comics’ artist Adi Granov, the designer behind Iron Man’s trademark red and gold armour on the silver screens, as well as David Mack, famed for his works Daredevil and KABUKI. Both will be in Singapore for the first time at STGCC.

From the popular cosplay scene, cosplayer Vampy Bit Me will jazz up the show floor with her enticingly gorgeous depictions of famous characters from the universe of DC Comics, Marvel Comics, anime and videogame. Fans will be delighted to know that Vampy will be donning brand new costumes at STGCC.

Redjuice, a rising star in the anime industry and the gifted character designer of the hit anime Guilty Crown, will be joining the line-up of comic artists at STGCC. The riotously creative design team behind the highly sought-after TO-FU OYAKO, DEVILROBOTS, will also be back in town due to popular demand.

Up-and-coming music producer DJ kz (livetune) will also rock the floor of STGCC with his latest creations of masterful mixes. This year’s STGCC will also see TAM, armed with his classical violin, performing uniquely refreshing renditions of musical tunes from genres like Anime and Game, which will definitely captivate the senses of fans from both the East and West. Listen up as TAM will be doing a special set list exclusively for STGCC.

Cosmo Youth Parade 2013: King x Mon, Misa,Yui & Saffron (Interview)

From Left: Misa, Saffron, Yui, Mon, King

KingxMon FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/kingxmon

Yui's FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/yui930

Saffron's FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/saffroncosplay

Misa's FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/misapage2

As part of Cosmo Youth Parade's International Cosplay Exchange and Meet and Greet segments, cosplay guests King x Mon, Misa, Yui & Saffron were in Singapore for the weekend. We were lucky to score a group interview with all five of them recently. 

If you haven't heard of these international guests (KingxMon and Misa are from Taiwan, while Yui and Saffron are from Hong Kong), do check out their FB pages for awesome cosplays and news about their stay in SG! 

The interview was conducted in a mix of English and Chinese, so we have translated it into English for the ease of our readers. 

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EOY 2012

Image Credtis: The EOY Website

EOY this year was held at Marina Barrage, and featured many local talents. Activities included a Cosplay Parade as well as Stage concert items such as singing, dancing and many more!

Japan Cultural Night 2013 @ NUS!

Hey guys! Sorry about the huge gap between posts – we’ve just been really busy with school starting and things like that, but we’re back on again!

Some of you might remember that recently (or not so recently by now), NUS’s Japanese Studies Society held their annual Japanese Cultural Night. Emi and I were very happy to be able to go because although Singapore has a substantial number of events centred around anime/manga, cosplay, J-music and the like, events focusing on traditional Japanese culture are few and far between. We were treated to a series of performances by the students of NUS as well as two local J-music bands, and emerged from the theatre satisfied.