Shopping Guide
On June 22 and 23, the Toyako Anime and Manga Festival will be held in the city of Toyako in Abuta, Hokkaido, Japan. It is a unique event packed with otaku content and representative tourist attractions of Hokkaido. Main features this year include performances by singers Eir Aoi and Luna Haruna, as well as talk events with voice stars Kazuki Yao and Jun'ichi Kanemaru.
Eir Aoi has become a popular artist by singing “Memoria,” an ending theme to Fate/Zero, and “Innocence,” an opening theme to Sword Art Online. Luna Haruna rose to stardom by singing “Sora wa Takaku Kaze wa Utau,” an ending theme to Fate/Zero, and “Overfly,” an ending theme to Sword Art Online. Fans are looking forward to the stage performances by these two huge stars.
In addition, fans are also looking forward to the talk events with voice stars Kazuki Yao and Jun'ichi Kanemaru. Yao is known for playing the role of Judau Ashta in Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ and various roles in One Piece. Kanemaru is famous for playing the role of Raizo Fuwa in Nintama Rantaro. Last year, Kanemaru also attended the event, and he is continuing his participation this year.
The Toyako Manga and Anime Festival began in 2010. This will be the fourth time the festival has been held. It started as an event related to the “Lake Toya Onsen 100 Year Anniversary Project.” The first event was carried out with the focus of “promoting subculture, tourism, and the region’s next generation” by the sightseeing tourism forum.
The festival includes voice star talk events, doujinshi markets, cosplay dances, cosplay performances, itasha gatherings, keyword rallies, food stalls, truck stages, tour buses, and merch areas. The abundance of such content is the secret of the festival’s popularity. For 2013, there also seems to be a project involving Kadokawa’s Newtype Ace. Fans are waiting in anticipation for further developments!
Toyako Manga and Anime Festival 2013
http://www.toyako-prj.net/tmaf/ (Japanese)
Source:
http://animeanime.jp/article/2013/05/03/13917.html (Japanese)
