It’s been four years since the last Anime Idol Convention was held, and this year’s comeback spelled the return of the presence of anime idol fans to the stage.
Several factors came into play for the positive return of AICon this year:
First, the cloudy weather matched with the cold temperatures we are facing at the moment (I am grateful it did not rain at all).
Second, the new venue at Elements at Eton Centris, which a short distance away from the Quezon Avenue MRT Station.
Third, is the overall reception of fans and performers alike, understanding that all of them have been waiting for this moment to come once again.
I have been waiting for the return of AICon too – last time (2020), I had to substitute someone to produce a video feature for the said event. Now that I’m back on solo flight, I am more than happy to be present there.
I landed at the venue at exactly 4pm, two hours before the event closes. Just outside the venue, I see fans adorned in the costumes of their favorite anime idols. Some have already catched up to the current LoveLive! meta like the ones dressed as the characters from Hasunosora.
I only have three things in mind beside my participation as media for AICon 2024:
Meet the organizers at Pygmalia who continues to reach out to keepsakes. to cover this event despite my deeper inclination to VTubers (they are the same minds behind the ONLive Convention which also received positive reception as one of the rare VTuber-focused events worldwide next to Thailand’s V-FESTA and the pioneering OffKai Expo).
Make sure to capture photos of a COMPLETE ChamJam (OshiBudo) cosplay group because I do not want to miss this RARE opportunity of seeing a complete cosgroup from one of my Winter 2020 sleeper hit favorites.
I did mention earlier that I came in late, but I was just in time to complete this checklist. I have several short videos in mind, which I plan to release soon.
Moving back, I met once again the people I know from the anime idol fandom, such as this rice knight whom I will hide under the name Robin Emblem. He looked like the same rice knight I knew from years ago.
I also went ahead and met the titas of Seishun Kakumei who always looked like the titas I knew from way back then.
I made sure that I get to capture cosplay photos of anime idols as much as possible, including what was left of the A-RISE group (LoveLive!) and THE iDOLM@STER SIDE M delegation.
Despite such nostalgia, other matters were also present at AICon 2024, such as the presence of Yume Shou dressed as characters from fan-favorite idol drama anime Oshi no Ko, as well as the impending closure of the LoveLive! School idol festival game with a three-month send-off for the global audience.
With all the factors mentioned, I made my AICon 2024 experience a memorable keepsake which i will carry in speech and prose. Thank you everyone for making another milestone in local fan history.
It’s just a few days before the return of the Anime Idol Convention (Also known as AICon)! This year, the event will be held at the Elements at Centris in Quezon City. (Landmark: Walking distance from Quezon Avenue MRT-3 Station).
keepsakes. checked in with the organizers Sei and Pao, and asked how are they preparing for the return of the event that brought the local anime idol fandom together.
Preparations for AICon 2024
Welcome back! How are the preparations for AICon 2024?
Sei: It’s been a while since the last time we had AICON. We’re actually very excited about this comeback. These past few months are busy for us organizers since we’ve been juggling real life stuff with our hobby – events organizing.
Since it’s a comeback, we actually blueprinted a lot of traditions from previous AICONs. Not only we retained most of the iconic parts but we added more twists!
In order to live up to these expectations, there are new things that we implemented here that was already active from our previous events such as the Shikishi cards, more mini games within the event and so much more! We’re already on set. Please look forward to our comeback.
Pao: AICon is back, yay! All is going well indeed and that already makes us excited to take the stage once again. It’s been years since the last AICon and we hope this will yet again be as memorable as it has always been for fellow anime idol fans. As we continue to move up, I hope everyone will keep their eyes peeled on what’s in store for you.
Upcoming Activities
We notice there are more performers competing this time. What kind of performances should we look forward to?
Pao: That’s right! There’s a variety of performances coming from different anime idol franchises. AICon aims to give everyone a dream-like concert experience and with this year’s line-up, having the classics and the latest dol series today, we are sure that this will be yet again another AIConic one (laughs)
Our performers are doing their best to prepare for and it would be great if everyone could pay close attention to what they will show us.
Sei: As posted in our social media channels, there’s a variety of contestants to join this time. We’re happy that a lot of performers want to join this festival. Our hearts flutter every time we were tagged in our performers’ practice posts. They really prepared well for this event so please look forward to their performance!
Pao: before anything, most of the Producers behind Pygmalia are also idol fans. AICon was mainly created to celebrate this love with fellow anime idol fans and enthusiasts. Since our debut, we were touched to see how AICon was loved and anticipated by the anime idol community.
We didn’t expect that this event would create an impact for them to remember as much. This drove us to bring back AICon again to show our appreciation not only to our beloved anime idols, but also for the community. Gusto namin na nakikita kayo na masaya lagi :> (We want to see you happy always).
Sei: Passion and love for idols. As mentioned by Pao, AICON producers are firstly idol fans. We just want more people to join and celebrate with us. AICON 2019 was supposedly a one time event (we were graduating students back then).
But when we saw how magical AICON became not only for us but also to those who attend, we decided to keep the passion and love ongoing. AICON is Pygmalia’s first child before there was even Pygmalia.
Any message to our readers?
Sei: Thank you so much for supporting AICON. Your support keeps us going. We’re happy to have you with us in our third installation and we hope to have your continued love. Keep the passion burning. See you in AICON!
Pao: Honestly, I already want to thank everyone who is looking forward to it. Anime Idol Convention wouldn’t be possible without your continued support.
Now that the event’s nearing its most awaited comeback, watch out for what AICon has in stock for you from the performances down to the booths and other activities. I hope everyone will feel warmly welcomed to be themselves and say, “I’m home~”. Let’s all have fun together!
Anime Idol Convention 2024 will be held at the Elements at Centris in Quezon City this Saturday, January 27. Tickets are available on-site for Php600. Visit the AICon Facebook page for more details. You can also check out AICon on Twitter/X for the list of art booths and merchants who will be present there.
keepsakes. is a media partner for AICon 2024. | Banner art: Illustration by Anri
Anime Idol Convention, an event which fused anime and idol culture, is coming back this 2024! AiCon showcases the idol culture that catches the interests of the country’s anime audience. This event features activities which gather fans, such as cosplay, singing and dance contests plus an artist alley filled with fan-made merchandise from various mixed-media franchises.
As long as you are a fan of anime idols, you are welcome here! Bring your love and passion for your anime oshi to the AiCon stage. Scouts (judges) will be present to determine whose star shines brightest, giving that idol-like vibe, which you only see in the stories you love.
The first two AiCons were held at the Bayanihan Center in Pasig City in January 2019 and March 2020, gathering hundreds of cosplayers, fans and aspiring idol groups. Whether you’re a veteran of simulation arcade games or a budding mobile game fan, feel free to join the AiCon crowd for a one-day extravaganza.
Look forward to the next edition of Anime Idol Convention this 2024—follow Pygmalia and AiCon on Facebook, as well as AiCon on Twitter.
This event is organized by Pygmalia, home to concepts such as Primo Stella and ONLive Con.
Yes, you saw it right. Actually, for anime fans my age, it’s not that rare to see this comment.
I wrote this piece last year for the Anime Idol Convention 2020 which will be held a week from now (we’re one of its media partners), and I’m happy to share with you my experience being in the anime idol community. Over this post, I’ll share photos from last year’s event.
There are a LOT of anime idol franchises these days, and they are dominated by THE iDOLM@STER, LoveLive!, BanG Dream!, among others in the male demographic.
On the other hand, the female demographic currently enjoys franchises such as Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle, IDOLISH7 Uta no Prince-sama and the like.
I can’t cover all franchises in this essay, but I’m going to tell you my journey as an anime idol fan and how they keep me alive and passionate.
First Encounter: LoveLive!, iM@S
My first encounter with anime idols was with LoveLive!, but as with any other fan, I shunned it at first glance. I thought LoveLive! was not my cup of tea, but then I tried to watch the second season. The catchy songs got me hooked, and the rest is history.
After watching LoveLive!, I watched Puchim@s, the cute, petit version of THE iDOLM@STER. As the episodes are around two minutes, I spent most of the time looking at the idols and their cute selves.
Spending enough time with Puchim@s encouraged me to watch the original 2011 anime series which got me so attached to the franchise. I am also interested in knowing the voices behind the characters, which led me to an internet rabbit hole of sorts.
After watching both LoveLive! and iM@S, I watched Wake up, Girls!. By this time, I am being made aware of the issues concerning Japan’s biggest music group AKB48, so I decided to watch. While this was a project aimed to support a city, the series went on to have its own mark until the group disbands last year.
I also watched THE iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls and even the Movie Kagayaki no Mukōgawa e! as soon as I got my copy. Soon enough, I found myself acquainted with fellow Producers or Ps, as iM@S fans call themselves.
Even with anime casuals like me who have not yet played a single iM@S game, I am still welcomed. That makes them a great bunch to hang out with.
If you ask me, I suggest you focus on Chihaya Kisaragi, the blue bird songstress of the series, and her hits “Nemurihime” and “Yakusoku.”
We idol fans are also given the opportunity to watch delayed recordings of concerts where the voices act as their characters. The first opportunity was when µ’s held their “Final Love Live!.”
It was at this time that fellow anime idol fans gathered not at the convention hall, but inside the theater, to express their love of their idols. “Snow Halation,” “Bokutachi wa Hitotsu no Hikari” and “START:DASH!!” are performed on stage, and we went wild.
Lightsticks were swung, Ultra Orange (UO) Cyalume lights have been broken, chants have been called, and everybody had their own share of fun… except that the idols have to turn a new leaf and pass the torch to the next generation.
Sunshine!! and how it molded the community further
Enter LoveLive! Sunshine!!. Like the first LoveLive! franchise, Sunshine!! and its lead Aqours (say “Aqua”) were doubted at first. Will they be able to succeed µ’s? Two seasons, a movie, and manylive concerts after, I am sure to say that they did surpass them.
I have a lot of songs from Aqours in mind, but the ones that stuck with me the most are “Step! ZERO to ONE,” “Mijuku DREAMER,” and “Koi ni Naritai AQUARIUM.” AQUARIUM, when chanted right, makes a great anime idol live experience.
The series’ second group Saint Snow is a bigshot too, winning my heart with their powerful songs. “SELF CONTROL” and “Believe Again” are among their hit tracks.
In my eyes, while µ’s is more of a happy bunch, Aqours gave a more human tone to the franchise in both the anime and the concerts.
Of course, their journey isn’t forever, and the attention will then be focused on the next generation – Nijigasaki High School Idol Club. This current generation has already sparked a discussion with its in-game storyline and is expected to have its own anime series soon.
Despite all of this, there has been no mention of “disbandment” or “retirement,” and we only realized this when the three groups are announced to get together in a mega-concert 9 years after the project’s inception.
If I recall correctly, during these years we already saw the groups Aquarius in Manila, Aquastaria in Cebu, and there’s even a cover group in Indonesia called Equorz. All of these groups are inspired by Aqours.
It was during Aqours’ time that the community saw a relationship blossom. You probably know this already, but this couple I’m mentioning will be having a baby soon.
To think that Anju Inami (as Chika Takami, Aqours’ leader) is looking up to Emi Nitta (as µ’s Honoka Kousaka) as her idol and senior, it’s safe to say that we’ve come a long way.
Let’s not forget Dream Catchers and Seishun Kakumei with their µ’s dance covers. There might have been other groups out there, but these are the ones I had in mind. (Eventually, I’ll recognize Seishun Kakumei more with their iRis Propaganda.)
More idols with different concepts
Next on my list is BanG Dream!. As I understood it, the concept was inspired by Aimi when she was performing as Julia of 765PRO All-Stars at M@STERS OF THE IDOL WORLD 2014. With a guitar in tow, she belted out one of her songs which led Bushiroad’s Tadaaki Kidani to conceive the project.
BanG Dream! has its own share of great moments, especially with Poppin’ Party taking the lead and Roselia being the best band despite the change in voice actors.
In our community exists a band called Lunar Rhythm, and among their influences is both BanG Dream! and LoveLive!.
both the OVA and one-cour Ongaku Shoujo anime series,
Zombie Land Saga and Back Street Girls with their odd twist at the anime idol genre,
as well as 22/7 and its added virtual YouTuber component in the form of Sakura Fujima (portrayed by the group’s overseas representative Sally Amaki),
and even Revue Starlight which strays off from the idol stereotype and describes itself as a “stage girls” group.
Keeping myself updated with anime idol stuff
My anime idol information comes from the numerous fan-translated pieces I have read online as well as news from trusted websites. Growing up, I thank them for their service.
These articles available online helped me to appreciate the people working behind the idol groups and its set of characters – the actors, song composers, storytellers and the like.
To cap this off, anime idols kept me entertained and inspired at times, helped me to understand the local anime community more, got me introduced to fan chants which led me to expose myself to wotagei and chika idols, hooked me so much in my seiyuu fan interest deeper, and led me to meeting more folks of different strokes.
It’s been a decade or so after I got deep into the anime fandom, and I’m glad that anime idols helped me become who I am today.
If there’s one thing I want you to learn from this essay is that you can find an anime idol group that suits your taste, help you meet new friends and improve your social skills.
Trust me, tiger – it’s a good, wild roller coaster ride worthy of your attention.
See you at AICon 2020 on Sunday, March 8 at Unilab Bayanihan Center in Pasig City.
The Anime Idol Convention (AICon) which started last year comes back with the same anime idol fan goodness that we love.
Returning at AICon 2020 are the Mr. and Ms. AICon Individual Cosplay Competition, AI-Live! Singing Competition, and Beat Master: Cosplay Dance Competition.
Also in the said event are the Artist Alley as well as featured exhibitors:
✨ Artist Alley: http://bit.ly/AICon2020ArtistAlley ✨ Exhibitors Roster: http://bit.ly/AICon2020ExhibitorArea
Most of my friends in the community will be there, and I hope to meet you there too. See you at Unilab Bayanihan Center in Pasig City on March 08, 2020 (Sunday).Tickets are available on-site for Php300 only.
This event is presented together with event partners Project Aquamarine, YU-EN Cosplay and Fancy Moi, with keepsakes. as an official media partner.
Event updates
January 14: AICon 2020 to be “moved to a later date”
Anime Idol Convention 2020 organizers have announced that the event has been moved to a later date, citing the situation at Taal Volcano which erupted last Sunday afternoon:
As excited as we are for AICon 2020, we regret to inform that we will have to move Anime Idol Convention 2020 from January 19, 2020, Sunday to a later date due to the recent Taal Volcano lava flow and ash falls.
It has come to our attention how hazardous the said volcano’s current status as it has already been reported by the local authorities that there might be a “hazardous eruption” within hours or days since it began spewing lava last Monday. There were already a lot of affected areas not only the nearby provinces, but even parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila.
We are deeply worried about our attendees’ status because of this, especially to those who are coming from the affected areas. We would not want to risk your health and security as your lives are far more important to us more than anything else. To ensure everyone’s safety, we came to a resolution that the event will be moved to a later date. We, AICon Producers, would not want to risk the safety of our attendees as well as the quality of the event.
AICon started out as a dream for all of us idol fans, cosplayers, artists and enthusiasts. To fulfill this dream, we aim to give everyone only the best idol experience with warm, bright smiles on everyone’s faces.
With this, we humbly apologize. Please allow us to make up for the inconveniences this announcement may have caused. We will do our best to attend to everyone’s needs and to show you only the best idol experience this coming Anime Idol Convention 2020. We want to give back the love and support you gave to the event and for the whole anime idol fandom through the event.
Save the date, the show must go on. See you this coming March 8, 2020 at Bayanihan Center, Pasig City~! ;)
Stand up and be proud. No matter what challenge lies ahead, let’s face it with a smile! The idol dream lives on. Anime Idol Convention (AICon) is taking you to greater heights and shine like an idol!
