It’s Throwback Thursday once again, another day where I can find an excuse to post some of my long forgotten articles. Nonetheless, I’d still post this because in just about two more months, this event will happen again and also because the storm makes me reminisce the past. The gloomy weather just makes me feel so nostalgic!




It was September 20, 2014, a day after typhoon Mario raged and left most of Metro Manila submerged in flood water, everyone (mostly Otakus, Jpop and JRock fans) was left worried over the thought that some guests might not able to come due to cancelled flights and at the same time excited for this will be the first time that Heidi will be performing here in the Philippines for one of the biggest anime convention that occurs annually. The Best of Anime 2014 was a two days event, September 20 to 21, 2014 which started at 10 AM to 8 PM at SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. This event was made possible by Primetrade Asia Inc. and Hero. With just an entrance fee of 300 php, you will be able to join all the activities that you want to join in, you’ll be able to take unlimited photos of all the Filipino and international cosplayers who roam around the venue, and you’ll have a rocking experience on a mini concert brought to you by various Japanese special guests.

The event had a lot of activities that you could join into. Aside from all the activities, there are also a lot of exciting booths which you could visit. Mostly are obviously related to anime. There are booths that provide anime collectibles like anime figurines, anime shirts, caps and many more. As long as it is anime related or even slightly depicts the Japanese culture could be seen there.

What makes this event stand out for me, aside from the fact that audiences has chairs this time (most anime convention doesn’t have any designated chairs for audiences; we squat!), is that a lot of Japanese personality was invited as guests to this event.

One of the sought of Japanese-American songwriter/musician was invited to perform and also became a guest host was Joe Inoue. For someone who has accomplished a lot already (he is known for his songs “Closer” and “Kaza no Gotoku” from Naruto Shipuuden and Gintama respectively), he is quite approachable. His wit, charm and impeccable talent in music and hosting have made him a crowd favorite. This is his 3rd time to visit the Philippines and the Filipinos just can’t get enough of him or he can’t get enough of the Philippines? Either way, no one will forget his little wardrobe malfunction while performing.

Another special guest was the all-girl-group “Starmarie” who charmed all the JPop fans with their sweet voices and cute faces. Almost all the guys inside the room kept screaming and awing while they were performing. All eyes were on them as they take the stage on their very first performance at the Best of Anime 2014.

Like most, anime convention, they have invited 2 international cosplayers as special guests. A Thailand-born Chinese cosplayer known as Onnies showed how realistic her cosplaying was. Onnies became popular through the cosplay website, WorldCosplay.net
The other cosplayer is Kaika, a good friend of Joe Inoue and one of Japan’s CoFesta Ambassadors for 2013. She is the beauty and brains behind the well-known cosplay-centric blog and Youtube channel, The Cosplay Chronicles. Both are an inspiration to all the wanna-be-cosplayers here in the Philippines.

Last but definitely not the least is Heidi. If all the girls screamed so loud for Joe and all the guys screamed even louder during Starmarie’s performance, all the existing soul (no matter what gender they might have) didn’t stop jumping, singing and shouting while “the” Heidi performed their distinctively elegant dark music. They are known for their songs “Yokan” and “Loop” that was featured in Anime Kaicho wa Maid-Sama. They just finished their successful European tour and now they were able to set foot in the Philippines. This is my first time to actually watch a Japanese rock band and they blew me away. It is as if they weren’t performing in a 75x40 meter room but in a huge dome. It was like a REAL, REAL, REAL…concert. It was such a privilege to witness their very first Asian live performance outside Japan. The more lucky ones were those who were able to meet and greet with them up-close (including my sister). Imagine being able to shake their hands!!!


All in all, Best of Anime was definitely a worthy experience. I just hope I could feel the same level of excitement and fun this B.O.A (Best of Anime) 2015. Looking forward to it already!


Official dates for this BOA year has been announced at their FB page. For further details you may check out this link: https://www.facebook.com/BestOfAnime


Sources of Images: www.syncmusic.jp/wordpress, http://animephproject.com, http://www.jpopasia.com/news/heidi-to-go-on-european-tour-fly-high::15673.html, http://otaku.ph/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/kaika.jpg