29/04/2026
‘𝗢𝘁𝗮𝗸𝘂 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗙𝗲𝘀’ — 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱
For many, growing up meant watching anime, whether on television channels or online sites, finding a niche interest and binge-watching series no matter how many seasons they had. Eventually came the exploration of games, often tied to anime, and the interest in recreating the look of a favorite character through cosplay.
This shared experience formed the core of the attendees at the first Otaku Pop Fes last April 25-26, 2026 in Okada, Manila. Fans of all kinds gathered — some in full cosplays, while others simply fulfilling a long-time dream of attending a convention filled with their favorite series and interests.
From the moment we entered, we were welcomed with a free random photocard, setting the tone for what was to come. The venue was filled with exhibition booths featuring a mix of both classic and newer titles including Sakamoto Days, Naruto, Tougen Anki, Spy x Family, DanDaDan, Witch Watch, Shadowverse, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Tokyo Revengers, Umamusume: Pretty Derby, and The Apothecary Diaries. The lineup itself reflected the diversity of the fandom, bridging different generations of anime fans.
Each booth offered interactive experiences and freebies that drew in crowds. The Spy x Family booth, for instance, had long lines as attendees eagerly waited for a chance to receive a free bag after participating in activities. Fans immersed themselves in different worlds trying on outfits inspired by Tokyo Revengers, posing with a cosplayer of Himmel dressed up as characters from Frieren, taking photos with standees of characters from The Apothecary Diaries, stepping into a classroom setup from Naruto, or walking through a tunnel screening scenes from DanDaDan. Personally, our favorite pick is the one from Tokyo Revengers since we got to try on their suit and jacket — too bad it isn’t part of the official merch! Nonetheless, it was easy to leave with handfuls of photocards, booklets, and hand fans — small but meaningful tokens of the experience.
Beyond the anime booths, the event also catered to other interests. Beyblade fans gathered to battle on stage, while cosplayers showcased their creativity in the Cosplay Cup, which was open to all participants and judged by well-known Filipino cosplayers — Prince De Guzman, AWIE, and Lia Bear for the first day.
For casual cosplayers, Jinshi and Maomao from The Apothecary Diaries stood out as a go-to cosplay choice, particularly for couples or duos. Some attendees also came as Frieren and Fern. Others chose to cosplay characters like Chuuya Nakahara from Bungou Stray Dogs, Momo Ayase from DanDaDan, and Nico Wakatsuki from Witch Watch. But the creativity extended beyond anime, with some cosplaying characters like Killjoy from VALORANT and even DC Comics’ Batman and Marvel's Deadpool.
There was a strong sense of community throughout the event, which can be seen within people confidently expressing themselves among others who shared the same interests. Strangers approached one another for photos, especially when they spotted someone cosplaying from the same series or game. What stood out most was the diversity of the crowd — not just local attendees, but even international visitors who came to join the experience. Young children attended with supportive parents (and even grandparents), teenagers filled the halls with energy, and older fans were just as present, joining in on the fun.
The merchandise area reflected the overwhelming demand as long lines stretched across the venue with fans waiting to purchase official items from the featured titles. Standees, shirts, tote bags, plushies, and mousepads were on full display. Additional merchandise from series like Demon Slayer, Haikyu!!, Wind Breaker were also available, alongside items from music artists such as UNIS photocards and keychains, Eir Aoi towels and hand fans, and Hiroshi Kitadani’s One Piece cover song CD.
As gamers, we also took time to explore booths from brands like Predator and Razer, where attendees could try out gaming peripherals. These spaces added another layer to the event, showing how anime culture often overlaps with gaming communities.
When Day 1 drew to a close, we headed with the crowd to The Cove Manila for the live music performances. Eir Aoi opened the night, known for singing iconic theme songs from Sword Art Online, and highlighted her recent track for Classroom of the Elite's newest season this year. This was followed by a set from DJ Kazu, who played a mix of Japanese tracks and globally popular hits that had the crowd singing along. The night ended with a performance from the eight-member girl group UNIS, who energized the stage with their captivating energy and delighted fans with a special raffle segment, with three audience members selected to receive exclusive gifts and the chance to take photos with the group on stage.
Article by: Alessandria Corral and Thimoty Dizon
