Maran Perianen
Japanese animation has developed a massive following in Malaysia in its many forms, be it anime, comics or games (ACG).
Small and large-scale gatherings have been a mainstay among the younger generations since early 2000.
Fan activities such as costume play or cosplay of popular culture characters have captured Malaysian youth’s attention.
One of Malaysia’s most significant events organising such gatherings is AniManGaki.
AniManGaki is the portmanteau of four words: Anime, Manga, Games, and Gaki (Japanese slang for ‘brat’).
Animangaki founder Yvonne Sing told Citizen’s Journal recently that she had never imagined that the community would grow as big as it is today.
Yvonne’s journey with AniManGaki started in 2009 when she formed an anime club at Sunway University to bring people of similar interests together.
“In the university, the club used to run various activities related to anime, generating a lot of interest.
“Following that, we organised the first convention at the Jeffrey Cheah Hall. The convention brought in almost 1,000 people.
“That’s how AniManGaki was born; it became a platform for a community that exceeded my expectations.
Growing up with anime, comics and games
Yvonne, a psychology graduate, said she had early exposure to anime and comics during her teen years in high school through her friend Lemon.
“Lemon formally introduced me to anime and manga, and she started me on Gensomaden Saiyuki.
However, Yvonne said she is more of a consumer of anime and not a cosplayer. She is mainly interested in the industry side of the culture.
She would regularly attend the annual Anime and Otaku event in Tokyo to get a closer look at the culture from where it was born.
“I found the whole industry fascinating because many things involve making the manga and anime happen.
“I’m always inclined to know how the animes come into production, just like a movie where many people are involved in making it happen.
For Yvonne, the experience of witnessing the Otakus in action on the home ground is enlightening.
The rapid growth of AniManGaki
Initially, the Anime Club event was a place for people to share their love of anime, comics and games.
“It provided a platform for like-minded people to express themselves.
The club started with only 30 members at Sunway University.
The attendees would participate in the workshops and talks and showcase their costumes and collections.
Besides the Anime Club event, Yvonne said she used to attend many anime events around Klang Valley to experience the ACG culture in Malaysia.
At that time, the local ACG scene was growing and gaining momentum, attracting many new enthusiasts.
“There’s a lot of ACG events happening all over Klang Valley simultaneously. There was a lot of potential and room for improvement.
“I thought I could do this and probably add more stuff to benefit the members.
The following year of the Anime Club convention, the attendance grew and exceeded the committee members’ expectations.
“There were so many people in the hall, and it was becoming a hazard for everyone.
Yvonne, her event co-director Lim Jo Lynn and her team, decided it was time to move the event out of the university.
AniManGaki taking a course of its own
In 2012, AniManGaki officially separated from Sunway University, becoming a convention organised by the AniManGaki Organizing Committee, presently a division under Rakugaki Events PLT.
“We moved it to the Sunway Convention Centre to accommodate the growing community.
“We grew there; from one ballroom, we added another ballroom year after year to a point, where SCC was becoming too small for us.
Following the rapid growth year to year, Yvonne and her team moved the convention to a much larger venue for the second time.
“The committee members felt we had outgrown the location and suggested we move the event to a bigger location.
Since 2018, Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre have become the home of the AniManGaki convention.
“Our vision was simple: to bring together like-minded people to share their love for the anime culture.
That is all the community is about, filled with people with passion.
The evolution of the anime and manga subculture
According to Yvonne, Malaysia’s anime and manga culture have evolved to a point where it is much more accepted.
“The mere evolution of the community is fascinating because when we started, Malaysians hardly knew anime, and today it has become mainstream.
“There was a time when we had difficulty talking about Otaku without being frowned upon. There was so much negativity.
The older generation, according to Yvonne, feared the unknown as itt was a culture that was alien to them.
“Parents disapprove of their children becoming a cosplayer. However, fast forward to now; it has become a cool culture.
“I had community members coming and thanking me for starting AniManGaki because, for some, they started here.
A meaningful convention for enthusiasts
Over the years, Yvonne and her team have strived to change the misconception about the ACG culture.
“We are continuously advocating to get more people involved, to get to know and educate themselves because ACG doesn’t stop at cosplay alone. There’s many things that people cab learn.
“I’ve had parents coming and thanking me because their daughter, who was introverted once, expresses her emotions better and has a circle of friends.
Yvonne also describes how some members found love at the AniManGaki, where they met and eventually married.
Testimonies from the participants and at times from their parents motivates Yvonne and her team to go further.
“Being able to bring something meaningful to the community is the most significant gift for myself.
“Even the simplest thank you is always a win for the community.
Yvonne is optimistic that it will only get better for the community from here on.
“As for me, I will be around as long as AniManGaki needs me, and AniManGaki will be around as long as the community needs it.
More evolution is taking place as there is more cross-over happening.
More prominent brands are now more aware of this culture and accept the culture is here to stay.
I believe the golden age for ACG in Malaysia is coming very soon.
The AniManGaki will take place this weekend at Mines International Convention Centre. For more information on the program line up and ticketing information, please click this link.
CJMY
