We will start a new segment here on ZEN Otaku Honbu called ZEN Before Events, where we will discuss, analyze and, sometimes, predict what will you, the event-goer, will expect once you step to an upcoming anime event. 

ZEN is just doing a tradition in the US Media that they will make a pre-Political Convention special as a background on what will happen inside a political convention, only this time, we will be doing not a political convention, but on an anime convention.

We will try to provide you guides, opinions and scenarios, as well as fearless forecasts and other what-not-to-miss things. Though you may construe this as a guide of sorts, ZEN is not responsible for any upcoming or unexpected changes that may arise on the event itself. If you want full information regarding the event that we are going to feature here, Please check their official website and social media site that we will provide at the end of the post.

Now, we are going to analyze what could be Cosplay’s biggest event, Cosplay Mania 2011.

COSPLAY MANIA 2011 is one event that surely any anime and cosplay aficionado will not surely miss. To be held at the world-class SMX Convention Center, they will occupy Function Halls 3. 4 and 5, which will cover a total floor area of 5200 sq. m or almost half an hectare. the size they described as “comparable to Four SM Megatrade Halls” (actually, 1322 sq. m. more than the combined size of all Megatrade Halls)

WHAT TO EXPECT

Among other things that will be present inside the event, which includes booths, bands and other side events from the sponsors and presenters during the course of the weekend. Do expect something more special for the fourth outing of this momentous event.

One is the most awaited finals of the Cosplay Tournament of Champions that will be held at the Second day, The winner of the second TORCH will book a flight to Singapore to represent our country in this year’s Anime Festival Asia.

The finalists were chosen from different TORCH regional legs that were held as far north as Baguio to as far south as Cagayan De Oro,. The Metro Manila TORCH finalists came from South Metro (SM Southmall), North Metro (SM City North EDSA) and Central Metro (SM City Manila)

Also to be expected is a visit from Southeast Asia Cosplayers such as Clive Lee from Singapore, Pinky Lu Xun from Indonesia and YukiGodbless and JiakiDarkness from Thailand. They will hold meet and greet and workshop session to budding cosplayers. We are also gunning (or at least hoping) for a special ambush interview with them for ZEN so do watch out for it!

The Philippines will also have a chance to have a shot for the Philippines’ largest number of people to cosplay for a day via the special Philippine Cosplay Appreciation day, which will be located at the Function Hall 3 on the first day of the event. Cosplayers and Costrippers will be getting free access to inside the Hall and have their thoughts posted on the freedom wall.

And apart from these big activities in line for this event, There will also be the Costume Building Contest, the CosMaker Battle Royale, The Project Cosplay Solo and Group Categories, Cosplay Junior for the kiddies, and the awarding ceremonies for the Cosplay Snapshot and CosTube – Cosplay Video Making Contest.

In short, You will get more on what you’re going to pay for the Ticket!

HOW TO GET IN

But wait a second, How much and how we will get Tickets?

Tickets for this event had been on sale since early this year to avoid the hassle and the inconvenience that was made during last year’s event (If you will remember, a Long, Long line stretched on the first day of the event), For you to gain entry to this event of ginormous proportions in terms of Cosplay, you may buy tickets at any SM Tickets (remember,  SM TICKETS not TICKETNET, They’re different) counter at all SM Cinemas Nationwide. You can also buy tickets online (if you are a BDO Accountholder) via smtickets.com and also soon at the SM Department Store Concierge desks and Odyssey Records stores.

Tickets for the event costs as follows.

PHP 100/Day – for the Fiesta Pass, where you will be able to go and roam in the specified Fiesta Area
PHP 150/Day – for the Fiesta + Stage Pass, where you will be able to go inside not only the Fiesta Area, but also the Main Stage where all the contention and the drama will unfold eg. The TORCH finals, The Solo and Group Cosplay Competition and etc.

If you are a fiesta ticket holder and you want to witness the thrill of victory at the stage area, shell out and additional PHP70 and you will gain access to the stage area.

All in all, if you are a dyed-in-the-wool Cosplay aficionado, better get ready a maximum of PHP300 to spend on tickets alone if you are going to go both days in this event.

BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT

And as a last piece of advice before you head out. Make sure you get your camera and your cellphone fully charged. If you are using a smartphone which is connected to a Social Media account of yours, better keep it on tip-top shape to prepare for the updates that you will post. And if you are carrying a laptop or a netbook, be sure to keep it in your hands because you’ll never know. And keep a lookout on all of your belongings inside and outside of the venue.

And, of course, meet up with your friends, and Have fun!

This is how ZEN sees Cosplay Mania Before the Event, Do check out ZEN Before Events as we discuss, analyze and predict what will happen on an upcoming anime event. And be sure to check our website, our Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr accounts for the complete coverage of the events that ZEN will be witnessing!

From here now, See you Inside the Event!

For more information about Cosplay Mania 2011, check out their Official Website at www.cosplaymania.com or through Cosplay.ph’s official Facebook page at facebook.com/cosplay.ph. Tickets are available at all SM Ticket outlets or call (+632) 470 2222