Comic Fiesta 2022 - They're Back!

Returning bigger and better after two years!

Over the weekend the biggest Anime, Comic and Game (ACG) event in Malaysia, Comic Fiesta 2022, was held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) on December 17 & 18.

Comic Fiesta made its return after a two-year hiatus with this being their biggest event to date. 

The event saw an attendance of over sixty-five thousand over the two-day event; an increase from the reported estimate of sixty thousand attendees at their previous event in 2019. 

Comic Fiesta attendees outside KL Convention Centre

The event maintained its reputation as Malaysia’s largest and longest-running ACG event, despite having a no onsite ticket sales restriction.

Crowd of 65,000 in attendance at the event 

This year, Comic Fiesta has expanded the popular Creative Market to over five hundred art booths selling various self-made and fan merchandise, and for the first time ever taking over an entire floor of the convention centre making it the largest local creative market to date as well.

Creative Market hosted 500 art booths

Comic Fiesta in action

Comic Fiesta 2022 featured one of Japan's top anime pop star singers, Suzuki Konomi, for a one-night concert. 

Suzuki is best known for singing the anime opening themes “This Game” from No Game, No Life and “Redo” from Re: ZERO. 

Suzuki Konomi

The concert was at max capacity attendance with two thousand fans enjoying the performance. 

Also in attendance at the concert was Japan Ambassador to Malaysia Takahashi Katsuhiko. 

Suzuki Konomi concert at Comic Fiesta 2022

This year’s event also featured VTubers from the extremely popular VTuber group Hololive. VTubers such as Takanashi Kiara and Emilia Watson of Hololive EN, as well as Kobo Kanaeru and Airani Iofifteen of Hololive ID, met their adoring fans virtually. 

A singing performance was also done by Malaysia's own Liliana Vampaia and Virion Kisei from MyHoloTV. 

Fan posing with Vtuber Kobo Kanaeru

Another big special guest for Comic Fiesta 2022 was Akihito Tsukushi the manga artist behind the Made in Abyss series, who held a live drawing session onstage and a meet-and-greet and book signing session at the Books Kinokuniya exhibition booth. 

We at Anime News Access had the honour of getting a sit-down interview with the mangaka. (See our Anime News Access exclusive interview with Akihito Tsukushi here)

(Left) mangaka Akihito Tsukushi at live drawing event

Other special guest performances on stage included MiniRi, Rina-Hime and #176. 

The 60 Seconds of Anything Cosplay Contest made it's return alongside the Comic Fiesta Stamp Rally. 

The Night Jam, the closing show for the event on the second day, featured Crestfall band, Amelia Khor Band and Mystical Mirage who performed on stage.

Singer Rina-Hime performing on stage 

60 Seconds of Anything Cosplay Contest

With the increase in attendance and much anticipated featured events, this year’s Comic Fiesta saw long lines outside the convention centre which snaked across the park and bleeding into the adjacent shopping mall leading to much frustration among Comic Fiesta attendees and regular visitors to the park and mall. 

Congestion by large crowds of attendees

Attendees often endured a two-three hour or more wait just to enter the venue, with some of that waiting done in the rain due to poor weather conditions. 

A few attendees even began queuing from 3am to beat the long lines for the second day.

Comic Fiesta attendees braving the rain while waiting for entry

The organisers explained that the delay in entry into the venue was due to increased scrutiny because of security concerns and that the procedures were overseen and directed by the venue management. 

When asked about making improvements, the organisers stated their intentions to reorganize the ticketing arrangement and the venue setup for future events. 

However, they maintained that final approval for the venue set-up and entry procedure is decided by the venue management which they must adhere to. 

Inner halls of the convention centre finally opened to attendees due to poor weather on the second day

On the second day of the event, a Meet-and-Great session with Suzuki Konomi was held. 

At the session, the singer got the opportunity to meet with her Malaysian fans and directly hear from them. 

“I was moved by your passion. It was the best night!” shared Suzuki. 

Suzuki Konomi at Meet-and-Greet panel session

Answering questions from fans

Meeting with adoring fans

The Malaysian Digital Content Festival 2022 was held by the Malaysian Digital Economy Cooperation (MDEC) simultaneously with the Comic Fiesta event and was attended by Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

Cosplaying attendees at Comic Fiesta 2022

The Suzuki Konomi concert was part of a joint collaboration with the government of Japan, the Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur and Comic Fiesta as part of the 40th anniversary of the Look East Policy (LEP).

“I sincerely hope that through this event, the mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Malaysia will be further promoted.” said Japan Ambassador Takahashi Katsuhiko.

(right) Japan Ambassador Takahashi Katsuhiko and wife (left) enjoying the Suzuki Konomi concert

Written by JC