What to expect at AFA 2023: Women's pro wrestling, J-pop singers and the Ultraman Card Game debut

Singapore’s largest Japanese pop-culture event is back after the success of its 2022 iteration, and Anime Festival Asia (AFA) looks set to expand its offerings this year.

With anime premieres, some of Japan’s hottest pop culture icons and idols, and some of the top cosplayers (like Xiaoyukiko, Amelia Khor, Charess, Larissa Rochefort, and Ying Tze) descending on AFA 2023, there’s plenty for everyone.

Curious about what you can expect when AFA hits the Suntec Singapore Convention Centre from 24 to 26 November?

Check out the highlights for AFA 2023 below - and you’ll want to stick to the end to check out the special collaborations.

Night Concerts

Making a return are the night concerts, which will run from 24 to 26 November, where fans will be treated to performances from across 20 artistes and groups.

Kicking off the first night is I Love Anisong, featuring some of Japan’s hottest artistes (who have sung for pretty big anime titles like Jujutsu Kaisen) and the lineup consists of ASTERISM, Liyuu, May'n, NANO, Survive Said The Prophet, and Tatsuya Kitani.

Then on the 26 November, the SACRA Music Fes will see FLOW, ASCA, halca, and spira spica take the stage. There will also be a special appearance by Nami Tamaki, who sang theme songs for Mobile Suit Gundam Seed, Gundam Seed Destiny, and D. Gray-man.

VTubers aren’t going anywhere anytime soon with their massive popularity, and they’ll be taking over on the night of the 25 November. Unfortunately, tickets are sold out, but, there are still limited tickets left for 24 and 26.

Day Stage

The Day Stage will occupy the whole of Hall 406 this time and attendees can look forward to a series of screenings and guest talk shows across the three-day festival.

On 24 November, there will be the special Southeast Asia premieres of anime titles Chained Soldier and Tales of Wedding Rings, followed by an appearance by Iori Moe (AFA 2023’s official ambassador) and illustrator Shigure Ui.

The next day, voice actresses Ai Kayano and Yumi Uchiyama (Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2), and Sumire Uesaka (Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian) will be present to talk to attendees.

Finally, the Day Stage concludes with a packed lineup of comprising special guest Soma Saito (Rurouni Kenshin), the Cardfight!! Vanguard Talk Stage (with voice actresses Amane Shindo, Yuka Nishio, and Hina Aoki), and a MAPPA talk show.

The animation studio is responsible for some of the biggest anime titles now, and Manabu Otsuka (CEO), Yuichiro Hayashi (anime director) and Mari Okada (anime director and screenwriter) will be present to talk to fans.

Perhaps this might be a good time to discuss the death of [angry editor noises over spoiler in original draft] in Jujutsu Kaisen? Oops, spoilers!

Exhibition: Akiba Town

Wallets burn and hearts ache whenever one attends a convention such as this, but, it’ll also be the place where you can get your hands on such exclusive merchandise.

So for those with spare cash to spend, shop to your heart’s content at Akiba Town, where more than 70 exhibitors will hawk their wares.

Keep an eye out for HoYo FEST 2023, which will bring a series of online and offline events, exclusive merchandise, prizes, and live stage interactions around HoYoverse titles like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail. Attendees can also take part in web sharing events to get in-game rewards and physical prizes.

Celebrating their 70th anniversary, Kotobukiya Store will be bringing in exclusives such as the Transformers Nemesis Prime Limited Edition Bishoujo statue and Darkstalkers Morrigan Limited Edition Bishoujo statue.

MEDIA LINK will also be bringing in exclusive merchandise from popular anime titles Oshi no Ko, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury, and Chainsaw Man. This will be sold for the first time in Singapore, so may the odds be in your favour.

Following a successful debut at AFA Creators Super Fest 2023, Lead Inc. returns to bring back its sold-out line of cat plush toys for the festival. The product line-up will also include their new gigantic 120-cm plush toys. Go big or go home, right?

Exhibition: Akiba Stage

If you can’t secure a spot for the night concerts, you can get your fix with the Akiba Stage which will see Japanese and local talents perform.

The lineup includes Japanese idol groups - like DEAR KISS, Forbidden Equation, and KissBee (only four selected members), Singaporean virtual idol group SO*DA, and a music showcase by V-Reverie talents (Lilrya Prisvielle, Nova Aokami, Ophelia Midnight, and Akiko Sushi).

Golden Mix, an anime music party, as well as Malaysia songstress Amelia Khor will also take the stage if you want sick beats to headbang to.

Special collaborations

Saving the best for last, AFA 2023 will host a series of special collaborations - notably the Bushiroad Expo Asia 2023 and Ultraman.

There will be trading card tournaments by Bushiroad - The Bushiroad Championship Series 2023 Regional Championship and Shadowverse: Evolve World Invitational 2023 Regional Qualifier - but for the casual attendees, there will also be merch, video game demos, and learn-to-play sessions.

World Wonder Ring Stardom, also known as STARDOM, is a Japanese women's professional wrestling group and they are scheduled to appear as part of the Bushiroad Expo. That’s right, there will be an actual wrestling ring at AFA 2023.

Finally, for the special collaboration with Ultraman, attendees can enjoy a series of activities from Ultraman appearances, live stage performances, to booth activities.

But, the crown jewel of this definitely has to be the exclusive launch of the Ultraman trading card game by Tsuburaya, where you can not only be the first to play, but also get your hands on exclusive cards.

AFA 2023 will be held from 24 - 26 Nov, at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, Levels 3 & 4. For more information and the latest updates, check out the official AFA website or Facebook.

Tickets are available here, along with details about the different tiers, and it starts from $28 per day for the exhibition segment.