Sydney_Manga_and_Anime_Show

SMASH! (convention)

SMASH! (convention)

Anime convention in Australia


SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show (typically abbreviated to SMASH!) is an annual Japanese pop culture convention held during July/August at the International Convention Centre Sydney in Sydney, New South Wales, and is the largest anime convention in Australia.

Quick Facts SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show, Status ...

Programming

The convention typically offers an artist circle, art competitions, community groups, cosplay competition and games, karaoke competition, maid cafe, merchandise vendors, panels, stage events, video game tournaments, and workshops. It also hosts the Gunpla Builders World Cup and World Cosplay Summit preliminary. On some years, a concert or after hours event also takes place that feature musical guests.[1]

Organization

SMASH! is run by SMASH Inc, a non-profit association incorporated in New South Wales that began in 2007.[2] SMASH Inc is controlled by a board elected each year by the members of the association. The board in turn selects a management team responsible for the planning and day-to-day conduct of the convention as well as a staff of volunteers organised into various departments. The board, management and staff total more than 50 people.

Mascots

The convention features two mascots, a boy, Cyrus, and a girl, Skadi. The pair are twin prince and princesses of the planet "Sumashcomianganimelis" (or "Smash" for short) in the "Ota Kuu" galaxy, who have been sent on a mission by the King of the Cosmos to spread Ota Kuu culture to Earth. The mascots were designed in 2007 by Sai Nitivoranant and have been drawn by numerous artists, including guests of the convention, Tan Kit Mun, Alexandra Szweryn and Shaun Healey.

History

SMASH! was conceived by Katie Huang, an artist and illustrator living and working in Sydney. The event was originally called ComicWorld Sydney and was more closely modelled on the Comic World events held in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan. As the number of people involved in organising the event increased, the focus broadened and the name was changed to SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show.

In the first year, the convention setup the first maid cafe and host club to be at an anime convention in Australia. It was also where The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and Death Note made their Australian premiere.[3] In 2010, SMASH! hosted the first national final of the Bandai Action Kit Universal Cup held in Australia in conjunction with Hobbyco and Namco Bandai; it was also the first year the convention reached its attendance cap. In 2014, SMASH! began its association with the World Cosplay Summit, holding the Australian Preliminary Final. That same year it also staged the NIPPON World Karaoke Grand Prix Australian Preliminary Final.

In 2020 and 2021, the convention was first postponed, then cancelled due to the Australian Government advice regarding the organisation of public gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.[4][5]

Event History

More information Dates, Location ...

References

  1. "Things to do". SMASH! Inc. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  2. Treuen, Jason (13 July 2012). "Anime attraction". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
  3. "SMASH! Anime Convention – Sydney Manga & Anime Show, 16 & 17 July 2022". SMASH! Inc. Archived from the original on 29 July 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  4. "History". SMASH! Inc. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  5. "SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show 2007". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  6. "All Ages Gig". Yunyu. Archived from the original on 16 November 2007. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  7. "SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show 2008". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  8. "SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show 2009". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  9. "SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show 2010". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  10. "SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show 2011". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  11. "SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show 2012". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  12. "SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show 2013". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  13. "SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show 2014". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  14. "SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show 2015". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  15. "SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show 2016". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  16. "SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show 2017". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  17. "SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show 2018". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  18. "SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show 2019". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  19. Di Iorio, Michael (15 July 2019). "Another successful year for the Sydney Manga and Anime Show (SMASH)". The Brag Media. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  20. "Guests". SMASH! Inc. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  21. "SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show 2023". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 27 April 2023.

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