Comic Fiesta 2023, Malaysia’s largest annual Anime, Comic, and Games (ACG) convention event, officially ended over the weekend and brought in waves of fun for attendees.

Last year marked the return of the event after the COVID-19 pandemic, this year, Comic Fiesta 2023 came back stronger and featured more esteemed guests from the anime industry. It was certainly a fun time at the event and there were many fascinating stories to tell, so here is our little experience throughout Comic Fiesta 2023.

Lines and More Lines

As with any convention, we start with the dreaded queue time. Thankfully, there are many improvements compared to last year’s queue with the introduction of an RFID system for convenient scanning upon entry, eliminating on-site ticket sales.

That being said, although the RFID system is expected to reduce queue time, inadequate use of the venue space still led to long entry queues on the first day and sparked confusion among attendees. Fortunately, the situation improved around noon and attendees began to have smooth access to the venue without waiting under the scorching hot sun for hours.

One thing for sure is that the booth layout this time around is more organized, especially those with seemingly perennially crowded booths such as hololive Meet and Coffytiam. The booths are now strategically placed by the organizers through the entrance area, eliminating overly long queues and excessive waits as attendees make their way to their favorite exhibitions.

Kudos to the organizers for setting up the KLCC Cafeteria on the first floor and providing a space for exhausted attendees to satiate their hunger as they rest up. This area was also utilized for early queues for stage performances, minimizing disruption to other attendees.

Fiesta Fun 

As mentioned previously, this year’s Comic Fiesta was jam-packed with anime fun and it can be easy to get lost. The official event booklet conveniently provided a comprehensive guide to the venue, including floor plans, exhibitor lists, cosplayer booth locations, and a schedule for both days. Quite a handle booklet, allowing anyone to quickly search for their desired destinations.

This year, Comic Fiesta featured a diverse array of exhibitors, cosplayers, and fan booths with major companies and brands such as SEGA, Magic: The Gathering, and Yu-Gi-Oh! attending.

The SEGA booth in particular was a highlight, making its debut in Comic Fiesta for the first time and granting fans a golden opportunity to try out some unreleased games before they go public such as Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth and Persona 3 Reload.

Aside from game demos and card games, well-known merchandise manufacturers like Bandai Namco, Banpresto, and Good Smile Company also had a presence, enticing fans to sink their wallets into some sweet anime figures and merchandise. Certainly a haven for fans.

hololive holoFUN 

The rising popularity of Vtubers in recent years is not slowing down any time soon and Comic Fiesta 2023 has some pretty famous Vtubers from Japan, Indonesia, or locally participating in the convention.

Sadly, this year’s hololive Meet booth did not feature large TVs that show off our favorite oshi for photos. In exchange, we did get “viv:ID CRUISE hololive Meet Asia Tour” concert for the first night, featuring Ayunda Risu, Moona Hoshinova, Pavolia Reine, and Kobo Kanaeru! 

Not only that, Sakura Miko, Hoshimachi Suisei, Fuwawa, and Mococo Abyssgard were the special guests from hololive.

Yukoku Roberu and Regis Altare from holostar were also invited as guests.

Jaw-Dropping Special Guests 

Aside from Vtubers, notable figures from the anime and manga industry also show up in Comic Fiesta 2023, including Studio TRIGGER’s director Yoshinari Yoh and producer Naoko Tsutsumi, who shared their experiences and industry insight on stage.

The presence of Aki Hamazi, the author of “Bocchi the Rock,” also added a special touch to the event. On the music front, apart from the previously mentioned hololive concert, Sacra Music artists ASCA and spira spica also had a performance in Comic Fiesta.

The venue, designed more like a concert space, allowed seated viewing, creating a comfortable environment for attendees to enjoy the performances. Despite being seated, fans showed enthusiasm, with some treating it like a rock concert, standing and cheering throughout the two-hour show.

Known for many popular anime theme songs, the singers even added a personal touch by learning some simple Malay phrases and greeting fans in English. One major highlight was their rendition of the “Naruto” theme song “Blue Bird,” sparking excitement and uniting the entire audience in a passionate sing-along. As anime enthusiasts, it was an emotionally moving experience that left a lasting impression.

Closing Thoughts

Honestly, a huge props to the organizers because the event is certainly a huge improvement from last year. Not only that, Comic Fiesta is seemingly evolving every year with more and more guests being invited and companies setting up their booths in the event.

I look forward to seeing what Comic Fiesta will bring next year and hope to see another Pokémon evolution happening for the event. For more Comic Fiesta 2023 coverage, you can find them here at GamerBraves