Cosplay, graphic art and the anime community collided this weekend in the SMASH! 2024 convention at Darling Harbour.
The International Convention Centre was transformed into a vibrant hub of manga, video games and Japanese culture, drawing together enthusiasts from across Australia.
Several thousand fans are expected to attend the two-day event over the July 20-21 weekend, dressing up as anime and manga characters, video game icons, and cartoon superheroes such as Spider-Man.
Stallholders Dropdebi and Hiru, two featured artists in the convention’s Artist Alley, were selling their illustrated prints, key rings and stickers.
“This year, I wanted to create art that resonates deeply with me and share it with the communities I’m passionate about,” said Dropdebi. “Plus, it’s a great way to turn my creative pursuits into a bit of income.”
Hiru added: “I was looking to save up for an exchange program, so stepping into the role of an artist at SMASH! was a thrilling new adventure for me.”
A cosplayer dressed as Zoro from One Piece. Photo: Victoria Lin.
Artists Dropdebi and Hiru. Photo: Victoria Lin.
New to SMASH!, which has been running since 2007, was the Maid Café, inspired by Japanese cosplay cafés, which offered a playful twist with servers attired in various imaginative costumes.
Kaoru, a waitress, said the role was refreshingly interactive.
“You spend time with a customer and you’re supposed to build that bond, which is more personal,” she added. “You get to connect with the customers.”
Japanese culture pervaded the event, and the Arts & Culture section featured a Dopa Itasha Showfloor.
‘Itasha’ refers to cars adorned with anime, manga, and video game decals. At the show, these vehicles served as a canvas for the intersection of cosplay, culture, and automobiles, creating a vibrant display.
Brisbane cosplayer Kaeiu Kig. Photo: Victoria Lin.
A cosplayer dressed as Vash the Stampede from TriGun. Photo: Siobhan Fryirs.
An itasha car. Photo: Victoria Lin.
Cosplayers dressed as Miu Iruma and Celestia Ludenberg from Danganronpa series. Photo: Siobhan Fryirs.
Kaoru summed up the appeal of cosplay.
“SMASH is all about embracing who you are and daring to explore new horizons,” she said. “I encourage everyone to dress up, become a new character, and step into a different world.”
Main image by Victoria Lin.
