Richard Esguerra Blog: Best of Anime 2018

We have decided to attend different conventions in the country since me and my friends started our geek blog (soon to be a site) called "The Con Artists PH".

This time we were invited by one of our friend JM to attend the Best of Anime 2018 event since he will also be there to judge a singing battle and perform with his band on the second day of the event.

I cannot remember when was the last time I have attended a cosplay convention with the exception of APCC and Toycon which has cosplayers as well.

I got a media pass for the event so I was able to get inside the event for free and at the same time attend the exclusive interview and meet and greet with the guest.

"The Best of Anime" convention is the yearly event that anime fans have been waiting for.

Now on it's 9th year in the Philippines, the two-day event runs from August 25 to 26 at Hall 4 of the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. The event starts at 10 AM to 8 PM.

For tickets a one-day convention pass is 450 pesos, BOA premium (Day 2 plus Ongaku Regular) is for 1,500 pesos and the BOA Extreme Pass (2-day pass plus Ongaku VIP) cost 2,500 pesos.

* tickets for Meet and Greet with guest is sold separately

I was able to visit day one of the convention with my friends JM and Jensen and check out what the event offers for this year.

Just like the BOA conventions from the previous year, the event has different competitions, dubbing workshops, cosplay workshop, battle of the bands, dance battle, tons of anime merchandise, toys, games, food and more.

Of course there's a lot of cosplayers in the event roaming around.

Also, Best of Anime will not be complete without the special guest.

Starmarie (Japan)

All female Japanese idol group is one of the guest for this year. The group is famous for performing the theme music of anime's Cardfight!! Vanguard G and Onigiri.

Formed in 2008, the group is consist of Nozomi Kishita, Shino Takamori, Monya Nakane, Hiroka Matsuzaki and Kaede Watanabe.

Starmarie performed in the main stage and also had a booth where they sell merchandise like poster, CD, photobooks and more.

Onnies (Thailand)

Female cosplayer from Thailand who loves Bubble Tea. This is Onnies second time in the Philippines and she was one of the guest 4 years ago.

She cosplayed Rinoa, Tifa, Hatsune Miku, Mikasa Ackerman, Ahri, Misa Amane and more.

Mon (Taiwan)

Taiwanese cosplayer Mon who is a first time visitor in the Philippines is happy with the hospitality of the Filipinos.

She cosplayed Neko, Emiria, Ruby Kurosawa, Rei Ayanami, Annie Leonhart and more.

Hyko (Taiwan)

Cosplayer from Taiwan who is known for cosplaying GACKT, Rin Matsuoka, Koujaku, Ren Jinguuji, HYDE and more.

Kors K (Japan)

Also known as Kosuke Saito is a DJ from Japan and a music game composer. Known for his works that were featured in games like Guitar Freaks, Drum Mania, Dance Dance Revolution and more.

Valshe (Japan)

Japanese female singer Balshe is know for his ability to sing both male and female voice.

She is also know from her songs called "Jester" which is the theme song of the PSP game Kannou Mukashibanashi, "Butterfly Core" and "Lie to You" from the anime Detecive Conan and more.

An Cafe (Japan)

Last but not the last is Japanese pop rock band Antic Cafe.

The band is known in different countries including Europe, Korea, China, Brazil, Canada and the United States.

Best of Anime also sells meet and greet tickets for the special guest where fans can ask interact, have an autograph and photo-op with the guest.

For day 1, I was able to meet Starmarie and have my CD signed by each member.

Guest cosplayers and artist also sells their merchandise in the venue like DVD, CD's poster and photo books and can be signed in the meet and greet session.