Two Days at a Summer Paradise

Penang Anime Matsuri 2018 was held last weekend at the Spice Convention Centre, instead of the dimly lit mini stadium that is Spice Arena last year.

Due to how ACG events across my country being carbon-copies of one another for years, I’ve already stop attending all of them in favour of only PAM due to its more unique contents, contents that I’m more interested with. =w=

The other only ACG event I visit annually is AFA at Singapore… 

Thanks to the better choice of the new venue, I can see shades of AFA in PAM, aside from the obvious fact that both are managed by the same organiser. The new venue is brightly lit and offers a larger space for functions, especially suitable for events like this.

Decorated at the main entryway to the large hallway before the exhibition halls is a large arch similar to what we’ve always saw at AFA, welcoming all attendees.

While not as packed as the likes of AFA, there were already a throng of eager event goers gathered around the ticket sales and collection booths at the wee hours of the morning, even as I reached the site close to the opening hours…

Past the arch is where those, with tickets to enter the exhibition halls, queued in wait for the official opening of the event itself. 

The exhibition halls consisted of two ballrooms, while the stage area took one, from a total of four available rooms for the floor.

The usual booths for merchandise sales were scattered within the ball rooms, while feels slightly bigger than last year’s, still only took me about 10 minutes to finish my strolling around…

Well, I’m not really interested in the merch anyway as I usually already got them via online purchases anyway.

While not much, several booths do display their figures and such in dioramas or display cases.

Several doujin booths also did shenanigans like the FGO summon table stuff. XDc

This year’s main stage is so well-done that it feels like I’m in AFA instead of being in a local low-budget con. XDc

The very same stage, while being used to screen anime movies and several stage events like guest appearances and workshops, also serve as concert hall when night-time arrives.

Eager concert-goers even queued-up as early as Noon in wait to enter the halls for the night!

Aside from the exhibition halls, there is another outdoor stage at the Roof Garden of the venue, which hosts a number of activities including a Fox Maze, more anime screenings and DJ party.

There are also a number of stalls at the surrounding area offering foods and beverages as visitors lazing around the grass field picnicking… w 

I did not spent much time scouting the Roof Garden area though as I’m quite exhausted for the day.

Anyway stay tune to my next post, which will focus on Tama-chan’s experience as well as cosplayers that attended PAM. :3c

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