The Best of Anime returns after hiatus

The Best of Anime, one of the Philippines' major Japanese pop-culture conventions, is poised to make a comeback after the coronavirus pandemic forced its hiatus.

Dubbed as the Best of Anime 2023: The Reunion, the event slated to be held on September 16 will be headlined by UchuSentai:NOIZ, the Japanese visual-kei rock group who made waves with their cover renditions of Filipino rock songs such as “Narda,” “Liwanag sa Dilim,” and “Pinoy Ako”.

Japanese rock idol group Chicken Blow The Idol

A regular in the Best of Anime stage since 2012, the group, led by Angel Taka in lead vocals, Masato in guitar and vocals, Kotaro in guitar, Kyo in bass and Yamato in drums, are currently on a 20th anniversary tour across Japan but had made a stop in the country to grace BoA's convention return.

Another BoA regular, Starmarie, is making their Philippine convention return with their music that has enthralled their Filipino fans since their first appearance with BoA in 2013.

The group, composed of Nozomi Kishita, Shino Takamori, Horoka Matuzaki and Monya Nakane, has already released four albums and 12 singles, two of which became ending theme songs for the anime series Cardfight!! Vanguard G and its sequel, Cardfight!! Vanguard G NEXT.

First time to visit BoA and the Philippines is visual kei artist and voice actor Miura Ayme, who is the former lead singer of visual kei rock band Ecthelion from 2013 to 2015 before transitioning into a solo career in 2018.

He was later chosen to voice Asmodeus in the video game and anime series “Obey Me!,” while also singing its opening theme song “Sinful Indugence,” “Celestial Ray” and “Loveless”.

Japanese rock idol group Chicken Blow The Idol will also make an immediate comeback to the country after their debut performance at the Philippine Toy Convention 2023.

The group, composed of Kazahana Assa, Touwa Mayoi, Akari Mikan, and Tsubomi Ruko, goes with the theme of being shy and timid girls becoming idols on stage and using music as their weapon of choice, combining the concepts of a weak punch or a “chicken blow” with dhool uniform-like costumes and a youthful rock music.

Davao-based J-pop cover idol group Pastel Mix, who now has a solid following across the Philippines, will also be making their BoA debut.

Aside from the music performances, noted Japanese cosplayer Reika Arikawa and World Cosplay Summit Philippines alumni and Team Namikaze member Amado Carl Hernandez will also hold cosplay workshops for event attendees.

Tickets are now available at SM Tickets outlets for P410 for regular access and P1,345 for premium access.

The Manila Times is one of the media partners of The Best of Anime 2023, which is organized by Primetrade Asia, organizers of The Manila International Book Fair, and The Embassy of Japan in The Philippines.