Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Animenia, which takes place from October 23 to 27, has turned Manarat Al Saadiyat into a lively festival of anime culture.
From displays to cosplay contests with awards over Dh400,000, visitors are entering a wide range of events.
While exploring the festival, attendees are taking part in interactive activities that bring anime to life, sampling street food with a Japanese flair, and seeing live performances by well-known performers.
In addition to celebrating the diverse fabric of anime culture, this event promotes community and connections by providing a rare chance to interact with the artists and discover anime sequences.
As an organiser, Jean Hajjar, the Head of Entertainment and Programming at Brag, shared his thoughts for the festival during an interview with Aletihad.
A passionate anime fan himself, Hajjar stressed how their team's love for the genre has shaped their programming decisions.
“Being fans of anime really allowed us to understand what the community wants,” he explained, spotlighting their mission to curate content that resonates deeply with fans across the GCC and beyond.
Hajjar's commitment to enhancing the guest experience shines through in the festival's lineup.
He envisions recreating anime scenes and facilitating memorable interactions with celebrities, all while ensuring that attendees feel fully immersed in the worlds they adore.
His inspiration from events like Comic-Con is evident, as he seeks to blend entertainment with cultural experiences, counting gaming, workshops, and features of Japanese traditions.
The festival also aims to bridge the gap between Japanese and Arab cultures.
Hajjar pointed to the longstanding impact of pioneers like Space Toon, who have been promoting Japanese culture in the region for over four decades.
In addition to catering to anime fans, Hajjar hopes to introduce anime to newcomers.
“We wanted to take this opportunity to introduce anime to those who might not be familiar with it,” he noted.
Many people still equate anime with cartoons, so the festival aims to foreground the storytelling and character development that set anime apart.
“We want to embrace and celebrate anime culture while expanding its reach in the GCC region,” he said.
Workshops at Animenia offer hands-on experiences, akin to a special session led by Keiko Nakanishi, Grandmaster of the Enchado School.
Nakanishi shared insights with Aletihad into Hijiri, a traditional tea style with a history of over 1,200 years, contrasting it with the more commonly known Matcha.
He explained the difference: “Green tea is steamed to stop fermentation, but Hijiri tea is roasted.”
Attendees can look forward to savouring Hijiri tea while enjoying incense and tasting Japanese sweets – a truly immersive cultural experience.
“Many visitors love Japanese culture,” he said.
The festival is also showcasing KUNI-KEN, a Japanese band known for their Shamisen sound.
The brothers expressed their eagerness to Aletihad about sharing their traditional music with local audiences, stressing the connection they hope to create between Japan and Abu Dhabi.
“It is a bit difficult, but I want to show how the Shamisen can connect Japan with people here,” one member shared.
Renowned animator Hidetoshi Omori also shared his pride to Aletihad in being part of Animenia.
With over 45 years in the industry, he noted the warm reception of Japanese anime in the Middle East and hopes to promote unity through his work.
“I want to create a movement that shares the joy of anime with the world,” he remarked, reflecting on the festival’s potential for cultural exchange.
Yutaka Abe, a celebrated Japanese film director and actor, displayed his interest to engage with fans during the festival.
“I feel very happy to meet the audience here,” he told Aletihad, highlighting the growing interest in Japanese culture within the Arab world.
Abe encouraged attendees to explore the vibrant arts scene in Abu Dhabi, urging them to continue supporting creative endeavours.
Wilbert Go, a visitor dressed as The Dark Knight from Final Fantasy, shared his enthusiasm with Aletihad: “I love cosplaying and Japanese culture. It’s a hobby of mine.”
He expressed his excitement about the event, saying: “This is one of the biggest anime festivals in the Middle East, and I’ve been waiting for it.”
Go, from the Philippines, also added that this is one of the biggest anime festivals in the Middle East.
While he identifies as an anime watcher, his love for gaming keeps him engaged with the culture.
“I hope to win the cosplay competition on Sunday,” he added.
