Singapore, 1 August 2012 – Immerse in the latest trends and content of Japanese anime and popular culture this November, as Anime Festival Asia 2012 (AFA2012) returns to Singapore. Top tier anisong artistes, the latest content and a multi-national team of maids and butlers were among the early highlights announced today, as the festival organisers gave a preview of its three-day extravaganza from 9 to 11 November. Top Japanese record labels and management companies will also set up showcases during the festival, giving visitors a holistic view of the Japanese entertainment industry's latest offerings.

Following Anime Festival Asia's first successful satellite event in Malaysia in June, which saw over 40,000 visitors, another satellite event will be held in Indonesia in September. The satellite events, which focus on content relevant to the local markets, will lead up to the flagship regional festival in Singapore - expected to attract at least 85,000 visitors.

Festival organisers, Dentsu Singapore and SOZO, shared the first round of highlights for the home-grown festival, now in its fifth year. Held at Singapore Expo, AFA2012 expects to attract both local and regional visitors – from anime enthusiasts, music lovers, to anyone who is interested in Japanese popular culture. Signature offerings including its I Love Anisong concerts, maid and butler cafes, and stage activities will continue to wow the crowds with top industry talent and premium content. A new experience zone, the Japan Future Entertainment Zone, will provide a platform for visitors and businesses to come face-to-face with the companies who have nurtured some of Japan's top stars.

Highlights of the festival include:

• I Love Anisong Concerts: "Electric Groove"
  Anisong fans and J-pop music lovers can look forward to three evenings of star-studded concerts with powerful performances. Six artistes and artiste groups have been confirmed so far, with more to be announced later. From heavy-weight artistes making their Singapore debut to returning favourites, the wildly-anticipated concerts are a must-see, guaranteed to leave concert-goers spellbound and craving for more high quality performances.
  
  Concert tickets sales will begin from mid-August 2012. More details will be announced on a later date.


• Regional Cosplay Championship
  The Regional Cosplay Championships will see top cosplayers from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines pit their skills to win the coveted championship. Helmed by a high-profile team of judges, including some of Japan's top cosplayers, the competition is an annual highlight for local and regional cosplayers and anime fans alike.
  
  Calls for entries for the Singapore preliminary round will start from mid August 2012. More details are available on the official website.


• Moe Moe Kyun maid and Atelier Royale butler Cafes
  Having soared in popularity after making their appearances in Singapore and Malaysia (they will be appearing in Indonesia in September), the cafes will see a highly energetic team of talent from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia to provide a personalised dining experience like no other.


• Japan Future Entertainment
  AFA2012's outreach to businesses keen to explore collaboration opportunities will continue this year. For the first time, top Japanese artiste management companies and record labels will pool together resources to showcase some of their latest artists, dramas and movies, in a Japan Future Entertainment Zone.


• Special Guests, Celebrity Cosplayers, Featured Anime Content
  Visitors will have the chance to hear first-hand from industry pioneers and producers, on the behind-the-scenes work of some of the latest as well as upcoming anime offerings. Celebrity cosplayers from Japan will showcase their craftsmanship and costumes during the festival as well. The festival will see the launch of one of Japan's latest anime project.


• Details on other festival offerings will be shared closer to date.

AFA2012 will be held for the first time at Singapore Expo Halls 7 and 8. For more information on the festival, members of the public can check out www.animefestival.asia and www.facebook.com/animefestivalasia.

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About Dentsu Singapore
A wholly owned subsidiary of Japan's Dentsu Inc. and an 'Asian-born' agency, Dentsu Singapore is a fully integrated communications agency, providing total communications solutions to both regional and local clients. The Dentsu network dates back to 1901 and has at its disposal powerful network support and resources. According to Ad Age Global, it is now the world's number one agency brand and the biggest among all major networks in Asia. Dentsu is today an award-winning player, spearheading innovation and changes in the global digital landscape. For many years, it has also ventured into many successful anime franchises and has a dedicated entertainment and contents division overseeing its operations.

For more information about Dentsu Singapore visit: www.dentsu.com.sg

About SOZO
SOZO represents a cutting edge entertainment and youth-marketing driven company. Made up of a diverse talented pool of industry professionals, SOZO is focused towards interactive marketing, developing animation and entertainment content and service platforms geared at engaging young adults at both regional and global levels. SOZO's main mission is focused on delivering highly entertaining pop culture experiences, contents and products that will constantly engage, thrill and excite this young and restless market. For more information about SOZO visit: www.sozo.sg.