Major global conventions like Comic-Con offer exclusive film previews, celebrity panels, and surprise live performances that bring fan communities together. (Image from @comic-con/R Manahan)
Is there a pop-culture franchise you’re a die-hard fan of? For fans, travelling for a major convention or festival can turn a favourite interest into a shared adventure, bringing together people who love the same stories, characters, games, and creative worlds.
From anime and comics to gaming and board games, these six fandom events around the world offer plenty of reasons to pack a costume, meet fellow fans, and experience a destination through a community you already have something in common with.
AnimeJapan:
An all-in-one celebration of Japanese anime
As one of the largest Japanese anime industry and consumer events in the world since 2014, going to AnimeJapan is more like visiting a theme park. You can find everything anime here, with over 120 companies exhibiting, including the country’s major animation studios, streaming platforms, merchandise manufacturers, and game producers. There will be announcements of upcoming anime titles, exclusive merchandise sales, voice actors’ stage events, and photo ops with cosplayers. For anime fans, it is also a chance to meet other fans and experience the latest developments in the industry in person.
When: Late March
Singapore Comic Con:
Where Eastern and Western geek culture meet
From toys, collectibles, comics, and video games to cosplay, there is something for everyone to experience at Singapore Comic Con (SGCC). The convention curates the best of Eastern and Western geek culture. Besides a festive atmosphere to bask in, there are plenty of exciting activities too, such as cosplay competitions, an esports arena, tabletop games, and guest segments with international and regional comic artists.
With its mix of fandoms, activities, and guests, SGCC is also an easy way to meet other fans while exploring Singapore.
When: Early December
Cosplay Mania:
A Philippine celebration of costume and character
Created and hosted by Cosplay.ph, a Philippine-based cosplay website and organisation established in 2006, Cosplay Mania is the event to celebrate a fandom by dressing up as your favourite character.
Cosplay Mania is actually a series of annual cosplay-centred events held in the final quarter of the year, with national cosplay competition legs in selected major cities in the Philippines. The convention brings together rookie and veteran cosplayers, costumers, and cosplay enthusiasts locally and abroad. There are a number of activities unique to the event, from cosplay performances to costume-making workshops. For travellers interested in cosplay, it offers a chance to experience the local scene and meet fellow enthusiasts from the Philippines and beyond.
When: From October to December
Gamescom:
The world’s biggest gaming gathering
Hosted annually in Cologne, Gamescom is the largest video game trade fair in the world by attendance. Major game publishers like Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo will be holding booths to showcase upcoming games and hardware releases, where you can get hands-on previews. Everything else game-related is also under one roof here, including indie developers, esports tournaments, and cosplay competitions.
For gamers, the event offers the chance to try upcoming releases, discover new games, and connect with a global gaming community in one place.
When: August
Asian Board Games Festival:
Play your way through Asia
Even in the digital era, board games are still growing in popularity. The Asian Board Games Festival (ABGF) is Asia’s largest English-speaking board game convention, with rotating stops including Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. The goal, as the organisers put it, is to help you “Play Your Way Through Asia!”
ABGF brings together board game designers, publishers, and enthusiasts from 12 different countries. Besides play sessions, visitors come to check out the latest in board, card, and tabletop games. Have an idea for a card or board game? ABGF may be the event for you to network with game publishers and make your idea a reality. It is also a good opportunity to meet other board game enthusiasts from across the region.
When: Varies throughout the year
San Diego Comic-Con:
The pop-culture convention that became a global institution
What started as a humble gathering for comic book fans in 1970 has evolved into the world’s best-known entertainment event, celebrating comics, movies, television, toys, and pop-culture fandom. San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) is one of the conventions that helped shape modern fandom culture, and remains a major gathering for fans of all kinds.
Besides announcements for major movie franchises, celebrity panels, exclusive merchandise, and cosplays, SDCC is also known for major entertainment announcements and exclusive previews.
Part of the appeal for fans is being surrounded by people who share the same interests, while experiencing San Diego and its wider pop-culture scene.
When: Mid to late July
Whichever fandom you belong to, these events offer a chance to celebrate your favourite fandom while discovering a new destination. So, make plans with friends and family who share your love for the same pop-culture property, or go solo and meet fellow fans along the way. A fandom you already love could be the perfect reason to explore somewhere new and find a community waiting to welcome you.
