THE Cosplay Convention Summer Fest Penang 2022, or also known as Coscon, will be held at Prangin Mall in George Town from July 7 to 11.
Charles Ang, the president of CosCon Club and founder of CAMS, said hundreds of local and foreign cosplayers are expected to take part in the various programmes in the five-day event.
He added that the event would draw about 30,000 visitors. Admission is free.
Among the celebrities making guest appearances, he said, are Mochii, Ink, Morimon, Exkurogane, Ai-Sama, Akihiko, Kirisame Wen, Tsuyu-Sei, Neko-Sama, Rachel and Aika Nanase.
While these are local players, the organisers are expecting a number of players from the Japanese community living in Penang to join the festival.
Ang said the main content would take place on July 9th and 10th with programmes such as Cosplay Runaway Tournament, Talent Wanna be Tournament, Celebrities Cosplayers Meet & Greet (Invited Guest), Talent Performance (Singing), Talent Performance (Dance), Panel Talk Sharing Session, DJ Live Mixing Performance, Stage Auction Session and Lucky Draw.
For the sub content to be held from July 7 to 11, he said the highlights are Virtual Reality (VR), Switch & Playstation Tournament, Gaming Experience, Japan Licence Film & Anime Movie Free Screening, Doujin Booth, Cosplayer Booth, Anime Merchandise Booth, Official Booth, Guest Booth and Vouchers, freebies & Merchandise Giveaway.
The opening ceremony is slated on July 9 at the Prangin Mall Atrium A Concourse (GF) main stage at 12pm.
Formerly known as Cosplay Convention a.k.a. Cosplay Festival, the event was inaugurated in 2015 and is now into its eighth operating year.
When it was originally founded, the organisers had the support of Penang Time Square, Consulate General of Japan in Penang under a long-term sponsorship programme to make a promising ACG Hub in Penang.
For this year, the organisers have lined up Gunpla Builders World Cup, Vanguard Masters Cup 2022 Spring North Malaysia (Penang) and Digimon Card Game Evolution Cup besides offering Touch N Go 2022 – Theme: esport Gaming (Limited Edition, NFC self top-up function, Schedule releasing by Q4 of 2022).
“With our event scheduled back to back over five days during the school holidays, I believe it will boost tourism in the state.
“July 7th is the George Town World Heritage Day, July 9th is the Penang Governor’s Birthday and July 10th is the Hari Raya Aidiladha (Hari Raya Haji).
“Besides helping to raise the economy, the event will also provide an opportunity for enthusiasts to look at it not only as a hobby but also as a career,” Ang told a press conference at Prangin Mall today.
Among those present were Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng’s personal assistant Kenny Ng Kai Lin, MPKK Jalan Irving chairman Teoh Ewe Teik, Prangin Mall centre manager Daniel Ng Wei Ming, Prangin Mall assistant marketing manager Carol Tan Khai Ting, Coscon vice-president Ventus Lim, Coscon secretary V.K. Gnoh, and The Only BNB Sdn Bhd directors Terence Tan and Elvin Cheah.
“For over two years, the youngsters have felt frustrated because of the on and off lockdowns.
“We’re collaborating with the organisers because we want to make the youngsters happy. Quite a number of them love cosplay and we want them to enjoy what they like.
“And I agree that this is also a good opportunity to promote it as a career,” said Kenny, who was representing YB Teh.
Daniel said Prangin Mall is proud to the venue sponsor for this event to make George Town one of the lively areas.
“As the tourism industry is picking up, this initiative will help draw more local and foreign tourists to Penang.
“If this event goes well, we will consider running it annually,” Daniel said.
Carol chipped in: “Prangin Mall has lined up several exciting activities from Friday to Sunday this month. For instance today, we are having a singing competition.
“And we will also be hosting other events, like wushu and basketball competitions.”
Story by K.H. Ong