NKDS

AFA had another press conference today, the third I’ve attended so far (cool it fits right in with the D.C. III announcement!). Today’s press conference had 4 main announcements:

1. Finalists for Regional Cosplay Championship
2. Exclusive Merchandise at Akiba Town
3. Animation studios taking part in AFA09 Industry Showcase
4. Launch of new SANYO eneloopy kit

More details (and pics) after the jump.

First off, the finalists for the cosplay championship have been selected! They are The Endless Illusion from Indonesia, Sakai no Gumi from Malaysia, Ahlodia and Ashley from Philippines, ST Revolution from Singapore, 00 Emotions also from Singapore and Houshin Engi from Thailand. Congrats to the teams on making to the finals! More information can be stalked obtained from here.

Next up is info on what will be for sale at AFA09, a subject close to my heart (or at the very least, my wallet). Firstly, the AFA shop will be selling K-On! items, “I Love Anisong” concert T-shirts as well as the Otacool book from Kotobukiya. CDs of the various artistes performing at the concerts can also be bought (hint hint ). Next, the exclusive stuff.

• Bandai

Exclusive Tamashii Nations merchandise, including Autumn Limited Chogokin Saint Seiya Be@rbrick, Limited GX 24N Tetsujin 28 Naked version, Limited Myth Cloth Appendix Gemini Saga Original Color Edition and Limited Saint Seiya Myth Cloth Emblem set. Lots of shinies!

Also, the first 120 customers to buy a Soul of Chogokin GX-45/GX-47/GX-49 will get a Mazinger Z Tote bag for free! And there will be 100 Masked Rider T-shirts to be given away with a purchase of any three SIC products.

• Cospa

Exclusive Aquaplus Fiesta Bag, which includes a Sasara and Maryan Senpai sports towel, Eruru hand towel, Konomi and Tamaki Bathroom poster and special Aquaplus 2008 commemoration book.

Also, purchasing $30 of Cospa merchandise lets you play the COSPA NIJIGEN JANKEN PON game, with prizes including T-shirts, towels and cushion covers.

• Bushiroad

Limited number of The IdolM@ster and Da Capo sets for sale! For every $15 spent, you will receive a special promo card (Tenshin Rahman no Haruka, a WS IM@S card).

Character Operating System (CHAOS) and ALICE CROSS are two popular card games that will be taught at AFA09 as well. Also, seiyuus Izumi Kitta and Nakamoto Nobuhisa (the Mash), who voice for the Weiss Schwarz anime, will be appearing at AFA.

• Takashimaya

Products from series such as Code Geass, Shakugan no Shana, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Lucky Star, Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood, D.Gray Man, Tora Dora and many more will be available for sale. Also, a full range of products for Domo-Kun will be sold, including kid-sized T-shirts.

Next are the animation studios that will be showcasing their stuff at AFA09. They are: Tatsunoko Production, Madhouse, Production IG, Imaginary Friends Studios, Stormlion and Egg Story Creative Productions. Pretty good lineup if you ask me; look forward to seeing their displays. Also, in a bit of related news, Danny Choo first hinted at the possibility of showcasing the Tokyo Figure Show (TFS) at AFA09, then confirmed it, so GSC and TFS will be there for us to drool ogle appreciate and enjoy! ^_^

Last is the launch of the new SANYO eneloopy kit, meant to mark the celebration of SANYO’s sales achievement of 100 million cells worldwide. SANYO will be flying in a two-metre long, one-of-a-kind eneloopy projector in the shape of the eneloop’s iconic dog mascot from Japan. SANYO is currently hosting an online eneloopy contest on the AFA09 website, with prizes including complimentary tickets to AFA09 and eneloopy premium packs.

There will be a Joysound Karaoke Commander console at AFA09 as well. It contains the latest songs from the music industry in Japan, including anime songs, and also has the Afureko system that allows users to dub scenes from animes, and even rates their performance! It will be at the XING booth at the Industry area of AFA09.

Also, as a sort of omake to the press conference, a lucky guy got to try out the service of the Moe Moe Kyun maids! The attack was very effective! He couldn’t stop smiling at all, even when the entire press conference was over!

Not to be outdone, a certain person was determined to show that AFA09 WILL have something to appeal to female visitors. As a matter of fact, her demonstration was so effective that we have had to censor her face to prevent brain meltdown!

With all these news, I’m quite sure we’re all more hyped up about AFA09!!! Can’t wait for it to start

PS: I’m not going to AFA09 for the maids. Honest!