Cosplay Carnival 2025: A Spectacular "Spring Serenade"
Cosplay Carnival 2025: Spring Serenade took place on March 22-23, 2025, at the SMX Convention Center Manila, celebrating its seventh year as a premier event for cosplay and anime enthusiasts in the Philippines.
The event featured an exciting lineup of stage activities, including Cosplay Karaoke, Cosplay Group Dance Battle, Cosplay Onstage Tag Pairing, and Just Duet, showcasing a wide range of talents. Beyond the stage, the bustling marketplace offered collectibles, lifestyle products, and food booths. Meanwhile, Cosplay Auctions delivered unbeatable deals, with some items starting at just one peso.
Internationally renowned cosplayer Baobao mesmerized audiences with a special Q&A session and an unforgettable mini-concert. She also hosted autograph signing and photography sessions, giving fans the rare opportunity to connect with their idol up close.
Attendees were also treated to electrifying performances by talented artists and VTubers such as Ecotone, Ivy!Musume, Mihoyana, and Radiant.
For the first time, Cosplay Carnival hosted its very own JAM (Japanese Anime Music) Concert! The highly anticipated inaugural concert featured two of the industry's biggest stars: Akase Akari and Shuka Saito. Their powerful performances captivated the audience, leaving a lasting impact long after the concert ended.
Before the JAM Concert, we had the privilege of conducting an exclusive interview with these special guests.
________________________
Shuka Saito Exclusive Interview: A Heartfelt Conversation with Fans in the Philippines
Shuka Saito, a renowned Japanese singer and voice actress. She is widely recognized for portraying You Watanabe in the multimedia franchise Love Live! Sunshine!!. Additionally, she is a member of the idol unit Aqours within the same franchise.
She sat down for an exclusive interview with various media outlets. During the conversation, she shared insights about her career, aspirations, and experiences as both a singer and a voice actress.
Passion for Expression
When asked about what she loves most about being a singer and voice actress, Shuka revealed that she enjoys expressing emotions—both through her music and the characters she portrays. For her, the ability to convey deep feelings is one of the most rewarding aspects of her career.
Dream Projects and Aspirations
Shuka was also asked about her dream roles and future projects. She expressed her ambition to perform and share her music with audiences all over the world, further expanding her reach beyond Japan.
Surprise and Excitement in the Philippines
When discussing her invitation to perform in the Philippines, Shuka admitted that she was initially surprised. Knowing that many Filipino fans wanted her to visit deeply touched her, and she was overjoyed to receive the invitation. She expressed her gratitude and happiness for the opportunity.
A Fun Fact About Shuka
Fans often perceive Shuka as a high-energy performer, but she playfully shared a fun fact about herself—offstage, she loves to laze around and relax, showing a more laid-back side of her personality.
Influence of Her Solo Career
Reflecting on her solo career, Shuka stated that over the past five years, she has realized her passion for sharing Japanese music with the world. She hopes to continue exploring new musical projects and reach an even broader audience.
Pre-Show Rituals and Healthy Habit
Like many performers, Shuka admitted to feeling nervous before shows. To calm herself, she prays for a successful performance. She also maintains her health by taking daily supplements and enjoys eating curry rice to boost her energy.
Love for the Philippines
Shuka shared that after arriving in the Philippines, she explored the local sights and enjoyed her surroundings so much that she even joked about wanting to live there. Her warm reception from Filipino fans made the experience even more memorable.
Message to Fans
Before concluding the interview, Shuka shared a heartfelt message with her fans, expressing her excitement for her upcoming performance. She hoped to bring energy and joy to everyone attending and looked forward to more opportunities to perform in the Philippines.
_____________
Akase Akari’s Exclusive Interview: Her Love for Anime, Cosplay, and Music
Akase Akari is a renowned talented singer and cosplayer from Japan. In 2021, she made her television acting debut, and in 2022, she launched her solo singing career with the release of Koi no Yukue, which served as the ending theme for the anime series My Dress-Up Darling.
She recently sat down for an exclusive interview during her visit to the Philippines. She shared insights about her career, her love for anime, and her passion for cosplay.
On Performing the Theme Song for "My Dress-Up Darling"
Akase’s debut song, Koi no Yukue, became a fan favorite as the ending theme for My Dress-Up Darling. Reflecting on this experience, she expressed her deep appreciation for the anime’s cosplay-centric theme. One of her most memorable moments was collaborating on the music video, where she had the opportunity to create her own wig and makeup. The positive reception from fans made the experience even more rewarding.
Dream Cosplay and Musical Performance
When asked about cosplaying a character and performing as them, Akase enthusiastically mentioned Suzumiya Haruhi. She revealed that she has always loved The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and would love to sing God Knows while dressed as the titular character.
First Impressions of the Philippines
This was Akase’s first visit to the Philippines, and she was especially excited about trying Filipino cuisine again. She recalled fond memories of a Filipino friend from her elementary school days who introduced her to traditional Filipino dishes.
Her Journey into Cosplay and Performing
Unlike many who are introduced to cosplay by a mentor, Akase explained that her love for anime naturally led her to cosplaying and performing. She has been passionate about anime since childhood, and this love has influenced her career choices.
Finding Out Her Song Was for "My Dress-Up Darling"
Akase shared that when she first recorded Koi no Yukue, she wasn’t aware that it would be used as the ending theme for My Dress-Up Darling. When she later learned the exciting news, she immediately reread the manga out of excitement and appreciation.
Memorable Live Performances
Performing live was a new experience for Akase, and she admitted feeling nervous at first. However, seeing the audience’s enthusiastic reactions in real time was an unforgettable experience. Unlike online performances, live events allowed her to directly connect with her fans, making the moment even more special.
Dream Anime Role as a Voice Actress
If given the chance to voice an anime character, Akase would love to play a tsundere character. Though she did not specify a particular role, she enjoys the dynamic personality of tsundere characters and would love to bring one to life through voice acting.
Favorite Cosplay and Future Plans
Among the many characters she has cosplayed, Akase’s favorite is Nino Nakano from The Quintessential Quintuplets. She even has posters of Nino decorating her room. Looking ahead, she hopes to cosplay Erza Scarlet from Fairy Tail, as Erza was the first character she admired.
The Challenges of Cosplay
For Akase, the most challenging aspect of cosplay is accurately interpreting a character’s design and bringing it to life in 3D. Different cosplayers may highlight different aspects of a character, from wigs to costumes and makeup. Ensuring that her vision aligns with fans’ expectations is always a challenge, but it’s one she takes on with dedication and creativity.
Final Words
Throughout the interview, Akase’s enthusiasm for anime, cosplay, and music shone brightly. She expressed gratitude for the support she has received and excitement for her upcoming performances. Her visit to the Philippines was a special experience, and she looks forward to continuing her journey as a performer and cosplayer.
See you in the next event!
**exclusive performances photos from CosplayPH
Comments
Post a Comment