The inaugural World X Fest 2023 Japan Edition, a collaboration between Travel Curators and the Far East Organization, is set to light up Clarke Quay Central from 29 September to 1 October 2023. This three-day event celebrates global cultures, but the standout programme is undeniably its cosplay competition.
Boasting the largest ever cosplay prize pool in Singapore (over S$25,000!), the winner will take home S$1,000 cash and an exclusive pop culture-themed trip to Japan for two, valued at over S$8,000 which might be slightly inflated. The rest of the prizes are as follows:
- 2nd place: 10D8N Special pop culture-themed trip to Tokyo for 2 (worth more than S$8,000) + S$500 cash
- 3rd place: 10D8N Special pop culture-themed trip to Tokyo for 2 (worth more than S$8,000)
The competition centres around the festival’s original mascot, Tora-Q, a delightful fusion of shiba-inu dog and the maneki-neko cat, also echoing the protective vibes of the jizo (guardian of travellers) stone statues common in Japan.
When designing your unique gijinka (a humanoid interpretation of an animal character) interpretation for Tora-Q, cosplayers are encouraged to incorporate its signature features for an authentic representation. The character predominantly sports red and stone-grey colours, complemented by a dark red bib. Additionally, the distinct neko-mimi (cat ears) should feature prominently in the design to capture Tora-Q’s essence fully.
Participants will be judged based on accuracy, creativity, and social media popularity. Submitted cosplay photos will be posted on Instagram for ‘likes’ to determine popularity points. A select group will be shortlisted to showcase their gijinka cosplay on the World X Stage on 30 September. Registration ends on 25 September at 23:59hrs SGT.
The festival highlights include J-Pop performances by top artistes such as Yayoi Daimon and Yuka Takada, along with appearances by renowned Japanese cosplayers Nanase Meron and Zumi.
Embracing a modern approach, attendees can wear cosplay outfits and try revamped game booths offering J-Pop merchandise and artist interactions. On 30 September, attendees wearing grey and red will receive special benefits.
World X Fest 2023 concludes the annual Singapore River Festival and promises a mesmerising experience with a canvas of grey and red hues. Whether you’re a cosplayer or a fan of Japanese culture, mark your calendars for an unforgettable event.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
Si Jia
