AFA12 is just around the corner and I can already see the excitement building up by the minute around the social network. This year’s event is definitely one to look forward too. AFA is celebrating its 5th year of existence and has expanded its wings, opening in both Malaysia (held in June) and Indonesia (held recently in September). The organisers made sure to take things to a whole new level; the announced special guests, featured anime and artiste line-up for the ever so anisong feels like a combination of all the AFA’s put together, basically its gonna be huge!

While myself im pretty much stoked I cant help notice how time is going fast worried that the event will just come and go although that was the case the previous years. Anyway Im going to go through what can be expected from this years AFA12. Also for those that hasnt gotten there tickets yet should hurry up! more ticketing information for the anisong concert and Festival + Stage can be found on the main website.

One noticeable change is the venue, The Singapore EXPO will be the new home of the event located in Changi, taking over its predecessor the Suntec Convention due to apparent renovations. This might seem a blessing in a way that the new venue is twice the size which means more space for more booths and such! Singapore Expo is most easily accessible by the MRT system, with the Expo stop less than five minutes from the entrance of AFA12. You get the whole picture from what you can expect from this AFA12, Like mentioned this is really a whole new level, make sure to check out these exciting content they’ve got installed for you! Here is AFA12′s official festival grounds floor plan. As you can see there are so many Anime related exhibitors from around the region, compared to last year there’s just so much more to see and do. Like last year Danny Choo will have its own Culture Japan booth where he will showcase these wonderful Mirai-chan goodies which you can get your hands on! For Japanese Fashion Lovers, your wait is over. AFA12 will be Introducing, for the first time ever – The Marble Collection in Singapore. The KAWAII Fashion style defined through top models and performers direct from Shibuya and Harajuku! Jump in to catch a unique hybrid fashion story unfold. For more information regarding ticketing and such head over to the main website. Check out MY-CARTOON at booth A06! they are a website providing the hottest news of Japanese animation & comic and also e-shopping for merchandise which you can get your hands on them! The ever so present Moe Moe Kyun Maid Cafe returns and proudly presents AFA2012- Moe Wonderland: Highschool Cafe!!! Starring: Mio, Ringo, Momo, Kiyo, Reiko, Chizu, Risa and Tora! who will be delighted to serve you! Similarly, For the ladies Come on down to Gakuen Royale at AFA12! the butlers now come from various school clubs and will welcome their princess! SAO fans rejoice. AFA12 has recently Announced the Sword Art Online concept booth which will bring various merchandise to its fans exclusively for AFA12! COSPA is surely a booth not to miss, they return yet again to bring you there latest goodies which include Hatsune Miku! Accel World! and more! Pokemon’s will make its first appearance in AFA, check out the latest in Pokemon merchandise! Like the picture says, you’ll probably witness the largest collection of dolls ever to set foot in Singapore! The complete AFA12 Main stage highlight which will be at hall 8 of Singapore expo, make sure to jot down the time and day of the event you have your eyes on! For more head over to the main section on the website. Make sure not too miss out on this Main Stage Highlight featuring Amuse Inc. – Japan Future Entertainment Showcase. As one of Japan’s largest talent management agencies, Amuse Inc. will showcase the very best that they have to offer, including Perfume, BABYMETAL, FLOW and the Samurai X live-action movie! HoriPro will be bringing and showcasing to fans their own featured talents at AFA12, including performing stalwart May’n, local talents Sea*A and the talented Daisuke Kishio. Don’t miss Sphere’s live dubbing session which will be on Sunday the 11th of november no the main stage area. The 4 members of Sphere are behind the voices of many popular anime characters;
Haruka Tomatsu: Asuna from “Sword Art Online”, M.M. from “Kemeko Deluxe!” etc
Minako Kotobuki: Blue Rose from “Tiger & Bunny”, Tsumugi Kotobuki from “K-On!” etc
Ayahi Takagaki: Wakana Sakai from “Tari Tari”, Feldt Grace from “Gundam 00″ etc
Aki Toyosaki: Chiyuri Kurashima from “Accel World”, Yui Hirasawa from “K-On!” etc
They will also be performing at the AFA12 ANISONG WORLD STAGE: DIAMOND STAGE on the same day (nightime) at the Max Pavilion at Singapore Expo. There will be an Exclusive Seiyuu Appearance – Daisuke Kishio from Horipro Japan Future Entertainment Showcase! There’s also the chance to have an exclusive moment with the editor-in-chief of Japanese Anime Music Magazine Lis Ani – Fumiaki Nishihara! Renowned director Kenji Kamiyama will also make an appearence previewing of his recent work on the new 009 RE:CYBORG 3DCG movie which you can also catch at AFA12! The event organizers are pushing cosplay to the next level this year at AFA12 with their strongest level of competition yet, featuring top teams from 5 countries in SE Asia. What’s more check out special performances by Team Shikon (2012 WCS Champions) and Lunar Asterisk! Judging and making special appearances throughout AFA12 and on the main stage will be the stella cast to celebrity cosplayers and judges. Concerning the featured anime youll get the chance to see the exclusive screening of multiple blockbuster Anime Movies such as Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Fairy Tail: The Priestess of the Phoenix and more! Now be a part of the strongest lineup of J-Pop artistes to ever grace Anime Festival Asia at the ANISONG WORLD STAGE I LOVE ANISONG MEGA CONCERT! Featuring 10 international artistes direct from Japan, delivering close to 10 hours of your favorite Anime songs, over 3 days!
Friday 9th November: ELECTRO STAGE – T.M Revolution
Sat 10th Nov: JUMP STAGE: BABYMETAL – FLOW – fripSide – LiSa – M.O.V.E
Sun 11th Nov: DIAMOND Stage – May’n – Minami Kuriyabashi – Sea*A – Sphere
For more information on ticketing head over here. hurry seats seems to be going fast! There was a last announcement by the organisors which the DIAMOND Stage ANISONG concert with also be Featuring renowned Vocaloid DJ and Producer Hachioji-P! his first ever performance in AFA and Singapore!

- Images used are copyright to their respective owner Anime Festival Asia. Anyway just a few more days, Ill be arriving in Singapore on the 8th hope to see you there!