CharaExpo 2015 showcases top anime, manga and cosplay talent in Singapore

Leading Entertainment Company, Bushiroad Inc. has announced an impressive line-up of events and multiple guest appearances that will occur at the inaugural CharaExpo 2015, to be held 20–21 June 2015 at Hall 7 at Singapore EXPO. As the first major convention featuring Japanese content to be held in Singapore, the organisers expect to attract some 20,000 visitors.

CharaExpo 2015 will feature leading names from the Japanese manga, anime, games and cosplay industry. Luminaries include the anime creators, Akio Watanabe (Grisaia no Kajitsu, Bakemonogatari) and Masami Obari (Gravion, Cardfight!! Vanguard); voice artists such as Izumi Kitta (Milky Holmes, Cardfight!! Vanguard)
and Aimi (Cardfight!! Vanguard, Future Card BuddyFight); along with famed cosplayers Kaname, Sin Izumi and Tatsumi Inui and the all-stars of the New Japan Pro-Wrestling team.

Bushiroad Inc’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Takaaki Kidani elaborated on his vision for the event: “We have witnessed rapid growth in the anime community in this region and know that we have a ready fan base that is passionate about all aspects of this kind of Japanese content. CharaExpo will bring the top content developers, animators, celebrities, fans and titles deep into this region to grow and support this amazing community. Budding artists and developers will also have the opportunity meet and interact with top Japanese companies that will be sharing their experience in the industry.”

CharaExpo 2015 will be debuting convention “firsts” including:

• Cos☆Stage. From May 15 – 31 2015, cosplay fans stand a chance to win an exclusive, all-expenses paid, invitation to the Cosplay Collection Night at the Tokyo Game Show 2015. To participate, cosplayers have to submit three of their best cosplay photographs portraying different characters. The Top 10 will be invited to a final selection round at Cos☆Stage, on June 20 at CharaExpo 2015. Each finalist will be given up to two minutes for a short character performance on stage.
• New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW): The stars of NJPW will be showcasing their very first exhibition match that will be held on June 20 and 21. Fans will be able to catch stars such as Hiroshi Tanahasi, Jushin Thunder Liger, and Gedo in action.
• Card Game Tournament: Bushiroad’s annual tournament series, the Bushiroad Spring Fest, will be held at the expo and will feature a 600-seat card game area for both new and veteran players.

CharaExpo 2015’s exhibition floor will be split into three zones.

• i)The Exhibition will feature popular series titles and exclusive merchandise from Bushiroad Inc., Good Smile Company, Aniplex Inc., VisualArts, Kotobukiya and Banpresto.
• ii)The Creator zone will feature noted anime and manga character and series’ artists and the Entertainment zone where visitors can browse through the latest titles in anime. As a creator-centric event, CharaExpo 2015 will also feature “Creators’ Corner”, dedicated to both individual artists and artist groups or circles to showcase, feature and sell their work. The corner will feature work from Collateral Damage Studios, Daiyaku and Lion Geeks.
• iii)Additionally, an Entertainment zone will feature performances from rising pop singers such as Mashiro Ayano and Ayaka Kitazawa.

Kidani says, “Our goal is for CharaExpo to become an annual event that will cater to fans as well as expand business opportunities for Japanese companies within the region. Singapore’s proximity to other Southeast Asian countries, along with its thriving anime community, makes an apt location to host this event.”

About CharaExpo

CharaExpo 2015 is a Japanese manga, anime, games and cosplay event that will be held from June 20 to 21, 2015 in Singapore EXPO Hall 7. This is the first major Japanese content-related event to be held in Singapore.

CharaExpo 2015 aims to shine the spotlight on the people and team behind the scenes of these Japanese-related content. The event will feature prominent producers, manga artists, illustrators, cosplayers and more. Fans can look forward to meeting these special guests and learn more about their passion and work. Major Japanese anime, manga and game companies will also be participating in the event to showcase and offer event-exclusive exhibits and merchandise. For more information, visit: http://chara-expo.com/2015/

About Bushiroad

Bushiroad Inc. is an entertainment company known for developing Cardfight!! Vanguard, Future Card Buddyfight, Detective Milky Holmes, Weiss Schwarz and other card games, promotional items, smartphone applications around the world.

Bushiroad Inc. consists of 6 sub-entities: Bushiroad Inc., Bushiroad South East Asia Pte Ltd, Bushiroad USA Inc., Bushiroad Media, Bushiroad Music, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling Co., Ltd. Bushiroad South East Asia Pte Ltd was established in Singapore on November 12, 2011 in order to expand the overseas market for Bushiroad card games such as Cardfight!! Vanguard, Weiβ Schwarz, Chaos TCG and Five Qross.