Category Archives: Event

Odette official drip marketing art – new Cryo sword character for Genshin Impact Version 7.0
Event, Game News

Get Ready, Travellers: Genshin Impact 7.0 Special Program Airs This Thursday at 8 PM SGT

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Genshin Impact 7.0 Special Program preview – July 31 livestream
Genshin Impact 7.0 Special Program — 31 July at 8 PM SGT. Via kardz.com

Mark your calendar, Travellers: this Thursday, 31 July 2026 at 8:00 PM SGT, HoYoverse goes live with the Genshin Impact Version 7.0 Special Program — the pre-launch showcase where the full roadmap for Snezhnaya finally comes into focus. Version 7.0 hits all platforms on 12 August, and Thursday night is where HoYoverse locks down everything you need to plan your Primogem spend before the patch lands.

What to Expect

Based on what’s been confirmed heading into the program, here’s what the livestream is expected to cover:

  • Complete banner schedule for Version 7.0 — which characters get Phase 1 vs Phase 2 slots, and which 5-stars are up for reruns
  • Odette’s full skill kit reveal — the new Cryo sword character and Prima Ballerina of the Korolevskiy Troupe gets her official on-screen showcase for the first time
  • Snezhnaya open-world gameplay — our first real look at traversing the frozen nation, including its ice-climbing systems and the new train exploration mechanic
  • Anniversary reward details — Version 7.0 is expected to bring a significant celebration; the full reward breakdown typically drops in the Special Program
  • Alyosha, the free Archon Quest character — a new Electro character obtainable simply by playing through the 7.0 story
Odette character art – Genshin Impact Version 7.0 Snezhnaya
Odette, Prima Ballerina of the Korolevskiy Troupe. © HoYoverse

300 Free Primogems — Don’t Miss the Code Drops

As with every Special Program, HoYoverse releases three redemption code batches live during the stream, each worth 100 Primogems — totalling 300 Primogems for anyone who catches them all. Codes expire quickly, sometimes within a day of the broadcast. Watching live is the safest bet, but if you can’t tune in, the community on r/Genshin_Impact and HoYoLAB aggregates the codes in real time.

Where to Watch

The Special Program streams simultaneously on the official Genshin Impact YouTube channel and Twitch channel at 8:00 PM SGT (UTC+8) on Thursday, 31 July. The Chinese-language broadcast runs on Bilibili. Catch up on the world ahead with the official Transcendence Trailer below:

Genshin Impact Sudden Snow Transcendence Trailer – Snezhnaya key art for Version 7.0
“Sudden Snow” Transcendence Trailer key art. © HoYoverse

A Special Evening for Singapore Travellers

For Singapore-based Travellers, Thursday 31 July carries some extra weight: it’s also the opening day of HoYo FEST 2026 Singapore at Suntec City. The Special Program goes live at 8 PM — whether you catch it at home before heading out, or stream it on mobile at the venue, the timing puts you fully briefed on every 7.0 banner before the patch even drops. The festival itself runs through 2 August, with activations and exclusive merch across all HoYoverse titles.

Version 7.0 launches on 12 August. Set a reminder for Thursday, 31 July at 8 PM SGT — GameTrader.SG will be live-covering the banner reveals, Primogem codes, and all the Snezhnaya news the moment the stream wraps.

Event, Manga Anime

Wonder Festival 2026 Summer: FuRyu Drops Evangelion Doll Figures, Atelier Ryza TENITOL and Hatsune Miku Lottery

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Wonder Festival 2026 Summer opened its doors at Makuhari Messe in Chiba today, July 26, drawing more than 2,000 professional and independent exhibitors under this year’s “Exploration” theme. FuRyu was among the headline commercial exhibitors, dropping a concentrated burst of announcements ranging from a genuinely unusual Evangelion collaboration to lottery goods for Hatsune Miku and Haikyu!!. Here is everything from their showing that Singapore collectors will want to track.

Wonder Festival 2026 Summer official event key visual at Makuhari Messe
Image courtesy of Wonder Festival Project Office

Evangelion Meets Japanese Tradition: Asuka and Rei as 日本人形

FuRyu F:NEX x Yoshitoku Evangelion Shikinami Asuka Langley traditional Japanese doll 1/4 scale figure
Image courtesy of FuRyu
FuRyu F:NEX x Yoshitoku Evangelion Rei Ayanami traditional Japanese doll 1/4 scale figure
Image courtesy of FuRyu

The most striking reveal from FuRyu at WonFes 2026 Summer is a collaboration between their F:NEX premium figure label and Yoshitoku, one of Japan’s oldest traditional doll workshops. The result: Shikinami Asuka Langley and Rei Ayanami from Evangelion, reimagined as authentic 1/4 scale 日本人形 (nihon ningyo) — traditional Japanese dolls — rendered with the layered kimono styling, formal headpieces, and meticulous finish that Yoshitoku is known for. Both figures are marked “coming soon” with no release date or price confirmed at the show; the F:NEX official site will carry pre-order details when they are ready. ©カラー

The pairing is deliberate: Asuka’s fiery red and Rei’s cool blue translate naturally into traditional nihon ningyo colour palettes. This is the kind of piece that sits at the intersection of figure collecting and craft, and collaborations between Yoshitoku and anime licensors tend to move fast once ordering opens.

Atelier Ryza in FuRyu’s TENITOL Line

FuRyu TENITOL Atelier Ryza Reisalin Stout sitting figure on books
Image courtesy of FuRyu

FuRyu also revealed a new entry in their TENITOL figure line: Reisalin Stout (Ryza) from the Atelier Ryza series. The figure places her in her signature white and teal outfit, seated on a stack of oversized books in an atelier setting complete with candelabra and foliage in the background — the relaxed, scene-setting aesthetic that defines the TENITOL line. No price or release window was announced at the show floor reveal. ©2020 コーエーテクモゲームズ

Lottery Goods: Hatsune Miku JK Life and Haikyu!! Collection 3

FuRyu Hatsune Miku Miku Meguri JK Life Kawaii Food Tour lottery kuji series November 2026
Image courtesy of FuRyu / Crypton Future Media
FuRyu Haikyu Goods Collection 3 lottery kuji spring 2027
Image courtesy of FuRyu

On the フリューくじ (FuRyu kuji) side, two new series were announced. 「ミクめぐりJKライフ ～かわいいフード巡り～」 (Miku Meguri JK Life: Kawaii Food Tour) is a new Hatsune Miku lottery series priced at 850 yen per draw, targeting a November 2026 release. The key visual features Miku alongside Kaito and Kagamine Len in high school uniform settings with a café and food theme. Artwork is credited to DSマイル / のう / べっこ. ©Crypton Future Media, INC / piapro

「ハイキュー!! グッズコレクション3」 (Haikyu!! Goods Collection 3) was also confirmed for a Spring 2027 release, continuing FuRyu’s run of lottery goods for the volleyball series. ©古舘春一/集英社・「ハイキュー!!」製作委員会

For Singapore Collectors

FuRyu products — including F:NEX figures and FuRyu kuji goods — are available in Singapore through hobby shops and importers that carry Japanese collectibles. The Evangelion and Atelier Ryza figures will open for international pre-orders via f-nex.com and partner retailers once release dates are set. For the kuji series, Southeast Asia availability typically follows the Japanese launch by a few months through dedicated lottery event operators.

Wonder Festival runs twice a year — Summer and Winter — and reliably produces the year’s most interesting figure announcements from both commercial labels and independent makers. Keep an eye on the GameTrader news feed as pre-order windows and local retail confirmations come in.

Event

ACGHK 2026 Opens Today — hololive, Demon Slayer VA Live in Hong Kong

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The 27th Ani-Com & Games Hong Kong opened this morning, and it is already shaping up as the most expansive edition in ACGHK’s history. Running 24–28 July 2026 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the event expanded into Halls 1, 3 and 5 simultaneously for the first time — its largest floor plan ever — with 201 exhibitors and 689 participants across five days.

For Singapore fans, ACGHK is one of the most accessible cons in the region — a 3.5-hour flight, an MTR stop from the HKCEC, and a line-up that routinely pulls exclusive reveals and guests you won’t see anywhere else in Asia. This year is no different.

hololive × Medialink: “It’s Holo-Tea Time!” ACGHK Exclusive

hololive production x Medialink Group It's holo-tea time! ACGHK 2026 key visual showing seven talents in a cafe setting
Image courtesy of hololive production / Medialink Group

Cover Corporation and Medialink Group have launched a collaboration themed around an afternoon tea party, featuring seven talents across three divisions of hololive: Shirakami Fubuki and Momosuzu Nene (hololive JP), Kobo Kanaeru (hololive Indonesia), and Ninomae Ina’nis, Hakos Baelz, Fuwawa Abyssgard and Mococo Abyssgard (hololive English).

The “It’s holo-tea time!” collection is available exclusively at Medialink’s Booth E01 in Hall 1 throughout ACGHK. The merchandise line is wide: linku blind box plushies (HKD$79 each, $395 for the full set of 5), heart-shaped badge sets (14 designs, $38/piece or $392 for the complete set), acrylic stands ($98 each), teacup-shaped keychains, an art book ($98), T-shirts ($200), perfume ($298), and lucky bags packed with paper goods and textiles.

Full merchandise catalog for hololive It's holo-tea time! and hololive natsu Paradise ACGHK 2026 collab collections
Image courtesy of hololive production / Medialink Group

A second hololive collection, hololive natsu Paradise – hololive Generation 0, is also available at the same booth, covering a separate set of Gen 0 talents with summer-themed designs. SG fans who can’t make the trip should watch Medialink’s online store — convention exclusives have historically sold out but sometimes restock online weeks later.

Kengo Kawanishi and Sumire Uesaka Live on Stage

Two Japanese voice actors are on the guest list this year. Kengo Kawanishi — the voice of Muichiro Tokito in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — is performing live at the HKCEC over the weekend. Joining him is Sumire Uesaka, known to SG fans as Motoko Kusanagi in the recent Ghost in the Shell anime and Hayase Nagatoro in Don’t Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro. Uesaka is also a JPop artist, so her appearances often include musical performances alongside stage talk.

ShishiWata Virtual Fan Meeting

On the VTuber side, hololive’s beloved duo Shishiro Botan and Tsunomaki Watame — known together as “ShishiWata” — are headlining a virtual fan meeting at ACGHK. The pair have been a fan-favourite pairing for years, and their ACGHK appearance (even in virtual format) marks the first major region-wide fan meeting for this duo outside Japan.

Three Halls, Pokémon TCG, and Record Scale

ACGHK 2026 ComixPop Vol.01 zone featuring Hong Kong comic artists
Image courtesy of ACGHK

Beyond the headliners, ACGHK 2026 is packed across its three halls. Notable zones and exhibits include:

  • ComixPop Vol.01 — nearly 40 Hong Kong comic artists, including Japan International Manga Award winner Jerry Cho
  • Dig Dig Island — a new collector zone for designer figures and art toys, curated by animator Neco Lo
  • ElefunPop Art & Toy Show — 47 international designers
  • Pokémon TCG — making its ACGHK debut with a dedicated photo zone
  • Hot Toys — a 4.5-metre Spider-Man installation
  • Sanrio — a two-metre Egyptian-themed Hello Kitty booth
  • BeyBlade X — live battle zone in Hall 3
  • 80+ overseas doujin creators at the Doujin Paradise section
Magic: The Gathering Marvel Spider-Man and Super Heroes TCG products on display at ACGHK 2026
Image courtesy of ACGHK

Magic: The Gathering’s Marvel collaboration range — spanning the Spider-Man and Marvel Super Heroes sets — is also on the floor, with collector boosters and gift bundles available for purchase.

Practical Info for SG Fans Heading to ACGHK

ACGHK 2026 runs daily 10am–9pm (Halls 3 & 5 open at 11am), with the final day on 28 July closing at 8pm. Admission is HKD$50 for adults, HKD$25 for children aged 3–11, and HKD$150 for a Fast Pass. There is no on-site ticket sale — all tickets must be purchased in advance via the ACGHK App, 7-Eleven or Circle K stores in Hong Kong.

The venue is at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wanchai: MTR to Wanchai Station (A5 exit) or Exhibition Centre Station (B3 exit). Cosplay entry requires a separate Cosplayer Pass (HKD$50/day, capped at 4,500 per day).

For more regional pop-culture events, check our event coverage — there is plenty more on the calendar through August.

Event

Singapore to Host First CS2 Major in SEA — PGL Major Singapore 2026

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Singapore has never hosted a Counter-Strike Major. That’s about to change.

The PGL Major Singapore 2026 has been confirmed, bringing the highest tier of CS2 competition to Southeast Asia for the very first time. Thirty-two of the world’s best teams will compete for a $1.25 million USD prize pool across November and December — with the live finals landing at Singapore Indoor Stadium, The Kallang.

What Makes a CS2 Major — and Why This One Hits Different

CS2 Majors are the World Cup of Counter-Strike. They happen twice a year, organised by Valve and produced by a tournament organiser awarded the rights — in this case, PGL (known for high-production CS Majors in Antwerp, Paris, Copenhagen, and Shanghai). Until now, a Major had never come to Southeast Asia.

PGL’s CEO put it plainly in the announcement: “Bringing the first Counter-Strike Major to Singapore is a moment that truly inspires us,” as reported by GamerBraves. For a region that sends competitive players and a massive spectator audience to international events every year — but has never had a Major on home soil — this is a genuine landmark.

PGL Singapore Major 2026 — via PGL on YouTube

Format, Prize Pool, and One Historic First

Thirty-two teams compete in a Swiss-format group stage, which collapses into a single-elimination bracket for playoffs and finals. The prize pool breakdown: $500,000 to the champion, $170,000 to runners-up, and $45,000 each to the quarterfinalists (5th–8th place).

There is also a notable structural first: the PGL Major Singapore 2026 will feature the first-ever official third-place decider match in CS Major history. The top four teams at the Singapore Indoor Stadium won’t just play for gold and silver — a bronze final is on the schedule too.

Counter-Strike 2 team lineup in CS2
Image courtesy of Valve

How Teams Qualify — The VRS Race Is Live Right Now

There are no traditional RMR qualifier events this cycle. Valve has moved to a pure rankings system: teams earn points through the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) across major leagues and LANs, and the top-ranked teams at the final cut-off date earn invitations to the Major.

That cut-off is November 2, 2026 — meaning the qualification race is happening right now. Every match in ESL Pro League, BLAST Premier, and the regional circuits directly affects which 32 organisations will be on a flight to Singapore. For SEA teams, this is historic motivation: a chance to compete at a Major without leaving the region.

Counter-Strike 2 first-person gameplay on Anubis map
Image courtesy of Valve

Finals at Singapore Indoor Stadium — December 10–13

The tournament opens November 25 with group-stage matches. The live final stages — where the last eight teams battle on the main stage — come to Singapore Indoor Stadium at The Kallang from December 10 to 13, 2026.

Singapore Indoor Stadium at The Kallang, venue for PGL Major Singapore 2026 finals
Image courtesy of The Kallang

Singapore Indoor Stadium has hosted everything from K-pop showcases to major sporting events. Watching world-class CS2 live on that floor — with PGL’s production values behind it — will be a completely different kind of spectacle for the Singapore gaming community.

Counter-Strike 2 gameplay on Inferno map
Image courtesy of Valve

Tickets and spectator passes have not been officially announced yet. Monitor the official PGL Singapore Major page for updates. For more gaming events in Singapore, check our full events coverage.

Event

John Romero Keynotes gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show 2026 in Bangkok

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One of the founding fathers of the first-person shooter is coming to Bangkok. gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show 2026 has announced that John Romero — co-founder of id Software and co-creator of Doom, Quake and Wolfenstein 3D — will headline the show’s business area conference with a keynote titled “Why We Still Make Games.” The event runs 29 October to 1 November 2026 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok.

gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show 2025 Highlights — via gamescom asia on YouTube

John Romero’s Keynote — “Why We Still Make Games”

John Romero at MCM Comic Con London, May 2026
Photo: David Maynard / WikiPortraits (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Romero’s talk promises a personal look at four decades in games — from the garage sessions that produced the id Software catalogue to building Romero Games in later years. The keynote is scheduled for the business area conference, which is open to industry professionals and media on 29 and 30 October. For Singapore attendees flying up on a media or professional pass, those are the days to book around.

Beyond Romero, the conference spans four stages and features over 70 speakers from more than 20 countries, with executives from Roblox, Tencent, Rovio Entertainment and Gameloft confirmed among the line-up. A pitch competition, Invest Circle and VIP Mixer round out the industry programme, alongside the Thailand Game Talent Showcase spotlighting student-made titles from Thai universities.

Bigger Than Ever — The 2026 Show Floor

Opening ceremony at gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show 2025, QSNCC Bangkok
Image courtesy of Koelnmesse

This year’s entertainment area expands to four halls for the first time, pushing the total event footprint past 35,000 sqm — a 20% jump from the inaugural 2025 edition, which drew 206,159 visitors from 95 countries across 294 exhibitors. Given that scale in its first year, the 2026 growth is a strong signal that the show has found its footing as Southeast Asia’s answer to a full-scale gaming and pop-culture convention.

Confirmed Exhibitors: Nintendo, CAPCOM, SEGA, Pokemon Company and More

gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show 2025 show floor
Image courtesy of Koelnmesse

The exhibitor roster already reads like a major trade show. Platinum Sponsor Synnex-Nintendo is on board alongside AMD, Bandai Namco Entertainment, CAPCOM, SANDISK, SEGA and The Pokemon Company. For Singapore fans of Nintendo Switch titles, mainline Pokemon games and the CAPCOM back-catalogue, having all three on the same floor in one Bangkok weekend is a worthwhile draw — and Bangkok is a two-hour flight from Changi with no visa required for Singapore passport holders.

ACE Bangkok Joins the Show — Anime, Manga and Fandom Under One Roof

Crowd atmosphere at gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show 2025
Image courtesy of Koelnmesse

New for 2026: ACE Bangkok, described as Thailand’s newest pop-culture platform covering anime, manga, comics, film and fandom, will be embedded within the show for the first time. That makes the entertainment area meaningful for fans beyond games — if last year’s 200,000-strong turnout was mostly driven by gaming alone, ACE Bangkok could push the 2026 figure considerably higher and widen the appeal for Singapore’s pop-culture crowd.

Dates, Tickets and Getting There from Singapore

The public entertainment area runs 30 October to 1 November 2026 at QSNCC Bangkok. Industry and media access opens a day earlier on 29 October. Accreditation applications are open via the official media form. Public ticket and exhibitor details are available at gamescom.asia.

For Singapore readers, October is a historically good month for a Bangkok trip — cooler weather, no overlap with major SG convention dates, and a weekend bracket that makes the public days doable on a short getaway. Keep an eye on our events page as more exhibitors and speakers are confirmed ahead of October.

Event

Game On, Dreamers! G.O.D. Mode — Sands Expo, 7–9 August

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Singapore’s gaming scene is about to get its biggest homegrown festival yet. Game On, Dreamers! — organised by Singapore-based GameOn Dreamers (SG) Pte Ltd and powered by amc asia! (sg) and Liminal Entertainment — is launching its inaugural G.O.D. Mode (Multiplayer Offline Digital Event) over National Day weekend: 7 to 9 August 2026 at Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Halls D, E & F.

The Singapore Tourism Board is backing the event, and the team has already locked in strategic partnerships with global gaming company CAPCOM and creator network Social Seed. If that opening line-up is any indication, G.O.D. Mode is positioning itself as a permanent new fixture on Singapore’s pop-culture events calendar.

Three Zones, One Long Weekend

Players gathering around Street Fighter 6 arcade cabinets at a community event
Image courtesy of CAPCOM

The festival floor spans three distinct themed areas designed to serve every kind of gamer:

  • Dream World — immersive tech and virtual reality experiences
  • Dream Battle — the competitive esports arena, with professional tournaments and open community brackets
  • Dream Play — anime fandom, cosplay competitions, indie game developers and creator showcases

Executive Producer Terence Kuek sums it up directly: “At its heart, gaming is about connection, shared experiences and community — and that is what we want this playfest to celebrate.”

CAPCOM On Board at G.O.D. Mode — Street Fighter and More

Street Fighter 6, CAPCOM's flagship fighting game
Image courtesy of CAPCOM

The highest-profile announced partner is CAPCOM, which has signed an MOU to bring its franchises to G.O.D. Mode through competitive play, community showcases and curated experiences. Ricky Bian Li, Managing Director of CAPCOM Singapore, said: “Singapore continues to be an important market for gaming culture in Southeast Asia. We are excited to explore how our franchises can engage fans through competitive play, community showcases and curated experiences at G.O.D. Mode.”

Street Fighter 6 is the obvious CAPCOM title for Dream Battle tournament play, and the broader esports slate is expected to include Valorant, Mobile Legends, League of Legends and Dota 2 — covering the full range from FGC to MOBA to tactical shooters. Official programming details per title are to be confirmed closer to the event.

Singapore, Certified Esports Destination

The Singapore Tourism Board’s backing is deliberate: STB Director Lilian Chee noted that G.O.D. Mode “adds a fresh dimension to our vibrant events calendar, reinforcing Singapore’s destination appeal” as a hub for esports. Broadcast partner Zenway Productions is planning global streaming, with CEO Li Jianming saying the goal is to “ensure Game On, Dreamers! delivers a premium esports experience that can be enjoyed both on-site and by audiences around the world.”

The National Day weekend timing is no accident. Running from 7 to 9 August gives Singaporeans a full long-weekend reason to show up — and the event is billed as inclusive for all skill levels, with family-friendly activities alongside the pro-level competition.

G.O.D. Mode Singapore: Dates, Venue and Tickets

Dates: 7–9 August 2026
Venue: Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Halls D, E & F (10 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay)
Tickets: Early bird tickets on sale now at gameondreamers.com — ticket pricing to be confirmed
Social: @gameondreamers on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook

See our full list of Singapore gaming and anime events we’re tracking this year.

Event

AFA Singapore 2026 Returns to Suntec: Save the Date — November 27–29

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AFA Singapore 2026 is confirmed: Anime Festival Asia returns to Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre from 27 to 29 November 2026. This year carries extra weight — AFASG26 falls in the year Singapore and Japan mark 60 years of diplomatic relations, and organisers SOZO Pte Ltd have already framed the event around that milestone, promising three nights of Japanese anisong concerts, an expanded Creator’s Hub, and the full AFA lineup that fans have come to expect every November.

AFA Singapore 2026 — Dates, Venue, and Getting There

AFA Singapore 2026 event poster with confirmed November 27-29 dates
Image courtesy of Anime Festival Asia

Mark your calendar: Friday 27 November through Sunday 29 November 2026, 10am–9pm daily, at Suntec Singapore, 1 Raffles Boulevard. The nearest MRT stations are Esplanade (CC3) and Promenade (CC4/DT15). Suntec’s sprawling convention halls have hosted every Singapore AFA in recent memory and remain one of the few venues in the city with the floor space to accommodate a multi-hall anime expo at this scale.

Ticketing is not yet open, and the artist lineup has not been announced. The official page at animefestival.asia/afasg26 is currently in exhibitor-recruitment mode. Based on the cadence of previous years, ticket tiers and the concert lineup tend to land around 8–10 weeks before the event — so expect first announcements from late September 2026. We will have coverage here the moment they drop.

What AFA Singapore Looks Like Inside

Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2026 banner
Image courtesy of Anime Festival Asia

The confirmed programming segments for AFASG26:

  • Exhibition Hall — publisher and IP booths, exclusive merchandise, and interactive brand experiences
  • Creator’s Hub — artist alley with original and fan-inspired goods from Singapore-based and visiting creators
  • Cosplay Hub — cosplay showcases and the Cosplay Singles Competition
  • AFA Next Stage — the main entertainment stage hosting live acts, voice actor panels, and community events
  • Three nights of anisong concerts — Japanese artists performing live on consecutive evenings (lineup TBA)
  • Anime Showcases — back-to-back screenings and previews of upcoming and current titles
  • Food Street — on-site dining

The 60th Anniversary Angle

Sixty years of Singapore-Japan diplomatic ties is not a small milestone. Since 1966, that relationship has shaped everything from how Singapore’s tech sector was built to how Japanese pop culture — manga, anime, games, music — has been woven into daily life here for generations. AFA is, in many ways, a direct product of that cultural exchange. Running it in the anniversary year raises the stakes: expect higher-profile talent, milestone-themed collaborations, and programming that acknowledges just how deeply these two countries have influenced each other’s entertainment industries.

AFA Singapore 2025 Official Anime Trailer — via AFA – Anime Festival Asia on YouTube (a 2026-specific trailer has not yet been released)

Save the Date Now

No tickets on sale yet — but if you are planning to come in from Malaysia, Indonesia, or further afield, or intend to queue for specific limited merch, blocking out the last weekend of November now is worth doing. Accommodation around Suntec books up for major conventions faster than most first-timers expect.

AFA has been running since 2008 and is the longest-running anime convention in Southeast Asia. AFASG26 is shaping up to be one of its most milestone-laden editions. We will keep this page updated as ticket tiers, headliners, and the exhibitor list come in. More Singapore events coverage at GameTrader.SG →

Event, Game News

Giant Snorlax Hits Yokohama — Pokémon Sleep’s 3rd Anniversary Real-World Event Is Now Open

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Three years of tracking Pokémon sleep styles — and The Pokémon Company is celebrating with something you can actually walk into. Pokémon Sleep’s 3rd Anniversary real-world event, “Yokohama de Mikkē! Pokémon Negao Research,” officially opened today at two venues in Yokohama’s Minato Mirai district, and it runs all the way through 23 August 2026. If you are visiting Japan this summer, this is the easiest detour from Tokyo you will make.

Giant Snorlax installation at Yokohama Landmark Plaza for Pokémon Sleep 3rd anniversary event
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Giant Snorlax Napping in Yokohama Landmark Plaza

The centrepiece of the event is impossible to miss: a massive Snorlax installation at Landmark Plaza’s ground-floor garden square, right in the heart of the Minato Mirai shopping district. The big guy is surrounded by sleeping Pokémon cards and berry-shaped message boards — visitors can write anniversary wishes and leave them around the display. It is exactly the kind of over-the-top adorable set-up that makes for perfect photos, and entry to see Snorlax is completely free.

Free Stamp Rally Across Both Venues

The main activity is a free stamp rally spread across Landmark Plaza and MARK IS Minato Mirai next door. Seek out sleeping Pokémon — including Dedenne, Mimikyu, Numel, and Kangaskhan — hidden throughout both shopping centres, collect all the stamps, and redeem them for either a 200-yen in-app shopping discount (limited to 1,000 per day, so go early) or exclusive event stickers. Both venues are open 10am–7pm daily.

[Official] Pokémon Sleep is nearing its third anniversary! Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup arrive! — via Pokémon Asia ENG on YouTube

Merch, Drinks, and a Gacha Corner

Pokémon Sleep 3rd anniversary exclusive merchandise at Yokohama MARK IS, including Snorlax and Eevee cushions
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

MARK IS Minato Mirai hosts the official merchandise shop (1F) with 29 exclusive products, including a Snorlax-shaped cushion at 70cm × 60cm, 3rd-anniversary pin badges, tote bags, apparel, pouches, and clear bottles — all featuring sleeping Pokémon art. The shop runs on a timed-entry lottery for 17–26 July, so check the official site in advance if you are heading there in the opening weeks. Merchandise is limited and first-come, first-served once you are inside.

A themed drink stand also sits on the 1F of MARK IS, serving four event-exclusive beverages (¥1,000–¥1,400) — flavours include “Early Rising Coffee Jelly” and “Demon’s Kiss Fruit Oat” — each with a randomly distributed coaster from six designs. There is also a gacha machine with Pokémon-type muffler towels at ¥2,000 per go.

Sleep Inside a Poké Ball — The TOTONE Nap Pod

Pokémon Sleep × TOTONE Poké Ball-shaped strategic nap pod at MARK IS Minato Mirai Yokohama
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Perhaps the most unexpected attraction is the Pokémon Sleep × TOTONE “Nap Recovery Device” on the 5th floor of MARK IS. Toyota’s TOTONE is a strategic nap pod styled as a Poké Ball — you climb in, relax, and can optionally use the brainwave measurement function to get a personalised sleep report. Entry is free with proof of the Pokémon Sleep app download, though you will need to grab a same-day slot on arrival. It is genuinely one of the most uniquely Japanese experiences you will find in Yokohama this summer.

Planning Your Visit from Singapore

Yokohama’s Minato Mirai is around 30 minutes by train from Shibuya on the Tokyu Toyoko Line (direct to Minato Mirai station), making it an effortless day trip or half-day add-on to any Tokyo itinerary. Both event venues sit right at the station exit. With the event running through 23 August, it is a natural fit for Singapore families visiting Japan over the school holiday period — especially since the stamp rally and Snorlax photo spot cost nothing.

If you are already playing Pokémon Sleep, open the app while you are there — the in-game 3rd Anniversary Fest, which brings Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup to the game for the first time, runs concurrently. Check out more gaming and pop-culture events on GameTrader, and let us know in the comments if you are planning a Yokohama trip this summer.

Event

Fate/Grand Order Exhibition Opens in Tokyo — 11 Years of Chaldea Come to Roppongi Hills

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Eleven years of Fate/Grand Order — the servants, the singularities, the heart-wrenching event stories, and the climactic conclusion of Part 2 — have been distilled into a single Tokyo exhibition that opened its doors this morning. Fate/Grand Order Exhibition: Stargazer’s Corridor (Japanese: 星見の回廊) is now running at Mori Arts Center Gallery on the 52nd floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, and it runs through 14 September 2026. If a Japan trip is anywhere on your radar this summer, this is the pilgrimage.

Fate/Grand Order展 -星見の回廊- チケットCM — via 【公式】Fate/Grand Order チャンネル on YouTube

Seven Zones Trace the Whole Chaldean Journey

Organised by Aniplex, the exhibition lays out the breadth of FGO’s decade-plus lifespan across seven distinct zones that you walk through in sequence. The highlight — Zone 4, Chaldea’s Journey — features a 17-metre ceiling painting that frames Mash Kyrielight’s arc from debut to the finale of Part 2: Cosmos in the Lostbelt, accompanied by newly commissioned illustrations that were made specifically for this venue. Zone 5, the Stargazer’s Corridor itself, uses video projection to put you inside the final battle, and it’s the centrepiece the title promises.

Fate/Grand Order Exhibition Stargazers Corridor floor map showing all 7 zones
Image courtesy of TYPE-MOON / FGO PROJECT

The remaining zones are equally worth your time. Zone 1 opens with a premiere video made for the exhibition only. Zone 2, the Production Materials Room, surfaces the scripts, storyboards, and concept illustrations that shaped every chapter — rare stuff that FGO’s overseas player base has never had a chance to see in person. Zone 3 archives items and motifs from the event stories, while Zone 6 wraps up with a Memorial Message wall signed by the staff who built the game. Zone 7 is the FGO Store, selling event-exclusive goods bearing the newly commissioned main visual artwork.

Mash at the Centre — and the Art Tells the Story

Mash Kyrielight in Shielder armour holding a crystal star, FGO exhibition visual
Image courtesy of TYPE-MOON / FGO PROJECT

The main visual — illustrated by Takashi Takeuchi and finished by Hiroyoshi Koyama — foregrounds Mash standing in a field of flowers, and that choice telegraphs the exhibition’s emotional angle: this is FGO’s story told through its characters as much as its lore. Every zone loops back to the human (or quasi-human) relationships that made the writing land.

Mash Kyrielight in a white dress beside an ornate embroidery wheel, FGO exhibition art
Image courtesy of TYPE-MOON / FGO PROJECT

All visitors receive a booklet and a random bookmark — one of 12 designs — on entry. A weekly rotating set of A5 cards (14 designs in total) is also given out, so fans who visit more than once across the run have a reason to return.

Collab Café, In-Game Bonus, and What FGO Singapore Players Can Grab Now

Close-up of Mash Kyrielight's face in warm orange tones, FGO exhibition art
Image courtesy of TYPE-MOON / FGO PROJECT

A collaboration café called THE SUN & THE MOON operates on the same 52nd floor throughout the exhibition run (17 July – 14 September, 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM). A valid exhibition ticket or Roppongi Hills Tower entry ticket covers access — no separate booking, just show up. Menu specifics have yet to be detailed in the materials available, but expect FGO-themed drinks and desserts in line with the exhibition’s aesthetic.

For Singapore players who can’t make the trip: the official FGO game is running a commemorative in-game campaign (Japanese) tied to the opening. If you play the JP server, check the campaign page — there’s a pickup gacha and login-bonus rewards live now.

Practical Info: Tickets, Hours, and Getting There

Venue: Mori Arts Center Gallery, 52F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Dates: 17 July – 14 September 2026
Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM (last entry 7:30 PM)
Access: Direct from Roppongi Station via the underground concourse (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line or Toei Oedo Line)
Tickets (day-of): ¥3,800 standard / ¥6,800 with merchandise bundle (layered acrylic block) — children of preschool age and under, free
Timed entry is in effect; book your slot via Mori Arts Center Gallery’s site or E-plus

Singapore fans flying to Japan this northern summer already have a packed itinerary — the Dragon Quest the DIVE exhibition is also running in Harajuku through early September. Two major Tokyo exhibitions in one trip is entirely doable.

Check out other events on GameTrader.SG for more Japan pop-culture coverage.