Before I get started on writing the Winter and Spring overviews of I Therefore Conclude, let’s take a glimpse of an event I attended last week: OZINE FEST 2012.

Ozine Fest is an annual event organized by PSICOM, the publisher of Otakuzine Anime Magazine, and just like events ToyCon, UP AME and Cosplay Mania, ithas truly become the most anticipated event every summer.

Since it was held (once again!) at Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall, I’d expect that it would became crowded by certain number of cosplayers and visitors, both inside and outside the hall. Thanks for last year’s editorial anyway!

As I stepped into the 5th floor of SM Megamall, I was quite surprised with what I saw: a huge gathering of cosplayers and a long queue of visitors waiting for their entrance ticket. (Wait, is this how does a long queue of a box-office movie/concert look like?) As I entered the Megatrade, a huge banner had welcomed me, but the other side reveals how cramped it was! Of course, I didn’t missed out to get a welcome drink courtesy of Royal Tru Orange to ease out my thirst! ^_^

(Editor’s Note: Not a sponsor, but I drink Royal… hahaha!)

I was totally amused by the things I saw while walking around Megatrade. First thing I did was to take a glimpse of the figures being displayed by Team Onii-chan. I drooled over the displayed figures, especially those from Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Fate/Stay Night!  The only thing that bothered me was their actual price, which is quite more expensive than those I saw from an anime specialty store.

I then approached the Indie Artist Booth, where certain independent artists (mostly seen from DeviantArt) were doing their commissioned artworks for a small fee and selling their own merchandise at the same time. It seems that I saw those people behind those… Nah! Never mind!

Nearby of it was so-called PS3 Arcade, where several people were playing video games, from Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 to Project Diva. (But where’s Street Fighter X Tekken, anyway?) But aside from PS3 Arcade, there’s also an online game booth, which is dedicated to the popular online game DotA.

Just like a typical anime event, I encountered several cosplayers posing up in front of spectators. I’m quite amazed over their costumes and how do they act like the characters they’re portraying to.

Before I leave the event place, I took a peek on a booth, where the special issues of Otakuzine Magazine were being sold. Well, their covers were quite nice and I’m sure their contents were worth buying, especially if your favorite serials became the front cover of the magazine.

Unfortunately, I didn’t buy any one of them due to lack of budget!

PROs and CONs

Overall, Ozine Fest 2012 has become more bigger than before. I’m quite amazed by the huge number of participants, making it as the most anticipating anime event this summer.

One thing that bothers me is of course, the choice of venue. Since Ozine Fest is a big anime event, the Megatrade Hall won’t be able to handle the huge capacity of visitors. Well, I can’t blame them if they don’t have enough budget to move out into a bigger, wider venue like SMX Convention Center.

Lastly, I’m quite impressed over the visitors and cosplayers who participated to the event despite the scorching heat of summer. Thus, Ozine Fest is truly the event you shouldn’t miss every Summer. That’s all for now!

DISCLAIMER: The views & opinions expressed by the author does not reflect the opinions of ZEN Otaku Honbu, its staff, and its partners. We will not be held responsible for whatever was written in this post or their respective websites. This post has been written by chevalier-kun, and edited by pinoy_big_narutonian.

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