Marking the beginning of Animenia Abu Dhabi, the five day gathering of nonstop anime mayhem, the festival transformed Manarat al Saadiyat into Neo Tokyo. Filled with community spirit, immersive experiences, diverse programming, cosplay, and Japanese-influenced activations, day one welcomed festivalgoers to connect, explore, and revel in the boundless imagination of anime. Some of the highlights from the first day included a series of immersive anime worlds, live performances, workshops, talks and meet and greets.
Live Entertainment
Animenia Abu Dhabi’s live entertainment started off with a jaw-dropping performance from Team Anime DXB, setting the stage for an epic day of live entertainment. This UAE-based Anison dance crew lit up the crowd with high-energy routines to fan-favourite anime hits, captivating the audience from the first beat. As the day progressed, legendary Japanese singer Yoko Takahashi took to the stage, sending the crowd into a frenzy with her powerful rendition of her iconic song ‘A Cruel Angel’s Thesis.’
Japanese songstress JUNNA also took to the stage with an energetic performance, belting out hits from Macross Delta and other anime soundtracks, further fuelling the excitement. Additionally, the renowned Shamisen duo KUNI-KEN wowed the audience with their unique blend of traditional Japanese sounds and modern flair.
Immersive Anime Worlds
Day one of the festival welcomed fans into five immersive anime worlds, where you could dive straight into your favourite series from the small screen. Fans of Attack on Titan were treated to a heart-pounding experience as they scaled a replica of Wall Maria and trained like Scouts in a photo op that brought the ODM gear to life. A perfect recreation of Shiganshina was also on display, offering plenty of thrills and chances to grab exclusive merchandise.
NARUTO fans could step into the vibrant world of KONOHA Village , while Jujutsu Kaisen enthusiasts found themselves in the chaos of the Shibuya Incident, exploring intricate domain expansions from the series. For a more kawaii adventure, the Hello Kitty exhibit offered delightful games featuring Hello Kitty, Kuromi, and friends. Additionally, Spacetoon lovers embarked on a nostalgic journey through the beloved childhood cartoon, celebrating iconic moments at every corner. Adding to the fun, each world was packed with interactive activities, perfect for photo ops and collectible hunting.
Meet and Greets
For many fans, the first day of Animenia was a dream come true, meeting some of the biggest names in the anime and gaming worlds. Isamu Kamikokuryo, the visionary art director behind Square Enix, greeted eager attendees, signing autographs and chatting with fans while those who missed him will still have a chance to catch his talk session later in the festival. Keiichiro Toyama, famed for creating the Silent Hill franchise, also took part, alongside Ryo Horikawa, the legendary voice actor for Vegeta from Dragon Ball Z, and Suda51, the genius behind No More Heroes.
Fans also had the chance to geek out with other anime icons like Yuichiro Hayashi, director of Attack on Titan and Persona 5, and Yutaka Abe, known for his work on Detective Conan. The excitement didn’t stop there as Takashi Tokita, director of Live A Live and Final Fantasy, and Yusuke Naora, animation and art director for Final Fantasy, met fans for photos and a talk session, providing the perfect opportunity for fans to connect with the stars and dive into their favourite worlds.
Workshops, Gaming, and Shopping
Japanese creativity and culture were at the centre of the action, with a variety of workshops and gaming activities. Fans got to build their very own miniatures with Gunpla, guided by OtakuME experts, while Tamiya’s model car racing added some high-speed excitement to the day. The gaming zone was also buzzing with energy, featuring thrilling Just Dance battles, intense Mario Kart races, and anime-inspired game trivia segments that put fans’ knowledge to the test.
Foodies were spoiled for choice with an array of delicious Tokyo street food offerings, from the irresistible Wagyu hot dogs at Tokyodog to the sweet and refreshing flavours of Match-A-Treat’s boba and matcha desserts. In between bites, visitors explored a vibrant retail zone, featuring everything from rare anime collectibles to trendy streetwear. Comicave and Bee Honpo’s trading cards drew in collectors, while Japanese cosmetics from Usagi AE offered a kawaii touch to the shopping experience, ensuring every guest left with a unique piece of anime culture.
What’s To Come
The anime mania is far from over, with plenty of exciting events still to come at Animenia Abu Dhabi! Fans can gear up for the epic cosplay competition, which promises to be one of the biggest highlights of the festival, boasting a prize pool of over AED 400,000. With categories for solo and group entries, as well as awards for Best Craftsmanship, Best Performance, and Best Anime Adaptation, there are countless chances for participants to shine and take home major prizes.
Music lovers are still in for a treat as the live performances continue, with headliners like Rasha Rizk on October 25th, known for her vocals on Detective Conan and FLOW on October 26th, the rock legends behind anime anthems like Naruto’s ‘GO!!!’. Meanwhile, supporting acts like angela and Saudi pop sensation Mojo are sure to keep the energy soaring. Fans can also look forward to more meet and greets with anime icons like Naoto Ohshima, Megumi Hayashibara, Eiji Shiroi, Fumi Hirano, and Go Nakanishi, as well as all the immersive anime worlds, food, retail, and gaming fun right up until the festival concludes on October 27th.
Limited tickets are still on sale at www.ticketmaster.ae and www.platinumlist.net.
Visit animeniaabudhabi.com for more information about the festival and follow its social media channels to keep updated with the latest news.