by From October 27 to 29th, the Japanimation event “SAUDI ANIME EXPO 2022” was held at “Riyadh Front” in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under the sponsorship of the Royal Government of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Entertainment (GEA) and SELA. Rice field. Due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, this time, it was held for the first time in three years since the first held in 2019.
‘Saudi Anime Expo 2022’ Overseas fans enjoying cosplaySaudi Anime Expo 2022 ) was held. However, due to the new coronavirus infection’s spread, it was held for the first time in three years since the first was born in 2019.
“Saudi Anime Expo 2022” is an official Japanimation event where Japan’s leading anime content and anime song singers gather together. The charm of Japanese animation is transmitted through various exhibitions, hands-on content, stage performances, etc., and 41 companies exhibited for the first time in 2019. About 35,000 people visited over the three days.
This year’s event, held for the first time in three years, was reduced to about 1.5m from the previous event due to the popularity of Japanese anime in Saudi Arabia in recent years.
It expanded five times, and 11,000 people visited on October 27, the first day. Voice actors Hideo Ishikawa and Shiori Mikami, along with many artists such as FLOW, TRUE, TAM, kz, Higuchi Ai, Shinsei Kamatate-chan, Takayoshi Tanimoto, Yohei Onishi, DOES, DJ Kazu, and many other artists also participated and excited the venue.
From a religious point of view, in the first edition of 2019, there were conspicuous restrictions on expression, such as blindfolding the relevant parts of the characters whose skin was often exposed in posters and the like.
However, due to the increasing understanding and tolerance of anime culture, which has surged in popularity in Saudi Arabia in recent years, each IP holder’s exhibition seems relatively flexible this time.
In addition to the exhibition booths related to popular anime, the main stage is where you can enjoy anime song singer live shows, talk shows, and cosplay shows, and the cosplay zone where local general visitors can change clothes and enjoy taking pictures”, “Theater Area” where you can watch anime that represents Japan, and “Café Area” where you can enjoy Japanese cuisine.
In the cosplay zone, there is also a space for female visitors to change into cosplay, and you can enjoy taking pictures at the photo booth in your favorite character’s costume. Not only male fans but also more female cosplayers than last time. In addition, Japanese food such as ramen, udon, and rice balls prepared according to Halal was served in the cafe zone.
A visitor who thoroughly enjoyed Japanese culture said, “Usually, I just enjoy looking at the screen, but at this event, I was able to enter the world of anime, and it was a lot of fun.” Hideo Ishikawa, Shiori Mikami, FLOW, TRUE, TAM, kz, Higuchi Ai, Shinsei Kamatate -chan, Takayoshi Tanimoto, Yohei Onishi, DOES, DJ Kazu, and many other artists also participated and excited the venue.
From a religious point of view, in the first edition of 2019, there were conspicuous restrictions on expression, such as blindfolding the relevant parts of the characters whose skin was often exposed in posters and the like.
However, due to the increasing understanding and tolerance of anime culture, which has recently been popular in Saudi Arabia, each IP holder’s exhibition was relatively flexible this time.
In addition to the exhibition booths related to popular anime, the main stage is where you can enjoy anime song singer live shows, talk shows, and cosplay shows, and the cosplay zone where local general visitors can change clothes and enjoy taking pictures”, “Theater Area” where you can watch anime that represents Japan, and “Café Area” where you can enjoy Japanese cuisine.
In the cosplay zone, there is also a space for female visitors to change into cosplay, and you can enjoy taking pictures at the photo booth in your favorite character’s costume. Not only male fans but also more female cosplayers than last time. In addition, Japanese food such as ramen, udon, and rice balls prepared according to Halal was served in the cafe zone.
A visitor who thoroughly enjoyed Japanese culture said, “Usually, I just enjoy looking at the screen, but at this event, I was able to enter the world of anime, and it was a lot of fun.”
