The Coolest Event of the Year is back again, leaving pop culture fans barely any room to breathe as it lands on the weekend right after the inaugural Moshi Moshi Nippon Festival in Singapore. This year's edition promises to be the biggest and the best yet, with the largest line-up of Japanese pop culture personalities- a staggering total of 19, making up more than half of the 29 invited guests. STGCC really represents the best of both worlds.
In fact, we think that STGCC should hold their own Japanese pop culture convention. We have made no secret of our love of the vibrant dynamics and room for interaction with the guests and we are certain fans couldn't agree more either. It would definitely be a welcome addition to Singapore's increasingly-packed events line-up.
D.Watt, haLRu and Estha
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| D.Watt, haLRu and Estha are returning to STGCC 2015! |
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| Touhou Project goods on sale at the IOSYS booth last year |
Returning this year are D.Watt (IOSYS), haLRu (MONOMIND) and Estha (GEOGRAPHIC). Attendees of last year's STGCC would definitely remember the huge crowd thronging the IOSYS booth and the DJs spinning Touhou Project songs over the two days. They must have really had a tremendous time at STGCC last year to be coming back for the second year in a row!
Inuyasys
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| Check out the amazingly talented Inuyasys's works at STGCC 2015! |
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| You might've seen Inuyasys painting at the IOSYS booth at STGCC last year |
Accompanying them are Rie Yunohara and Inuyasys. You might have seen both of them around the IOSYS booth as unofficial guests last year too. Inuyasys is a Japanese illustrator who combines the natural fluidity of ink with a distinctive marbling technique. He has provided the jacket artwork for many of IOSYS's doujin releases. Be mesmerised by his ethereal paintings at STGCC again this year!
Rie Yunohara
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| Rie Yunohara will be back at STGCC as an official guest this time!(Source: haLRu's Flickr) |
Rie-Cho performs as an idol in Japan and she joined her producer, haLRU at STGCC 2014. Many local idol fans, including the XDantheManX Online team were excited to meet her last year and we are glad that she is making a return! She will be performing at the STGCC Stage, together with "Wa 和" singer from Kyoto, You Yanase, for the 45-minute long "Rie Yunohara and You Yanase Stage Special" at 6.00pm on Saturday.
You Yanase
It's Japanese singer You Yanase's first time performing in Singapore and we are so excited! What will she be bringing to STGCC? How will her performance be like? We can't wait! Described as a singer that aims to spread "Wa" (和 - harmony) music to the world, she hails from Kyoto where she was immersed in the rich and deep Japanese culture.
Wow! Kyoto! A place overflowing with traditional Japanese culture. You've got us interested there. How do you blend that with modern idol pop culture exactly? We have no idea but you'll have to come on down to STGCC to catch her live performance! This is probably the stage programme we are looking forward to the most. All the answers will be revealed on Saturday evening!
STGCC's annual DJ Night returns with Yuyoyuppe and Higedriver taking the stage for an anisong party of epic proportions, from 6.00pm to 7.30pm on Sunday evening!
Yuyoyuppe (DJ'TEKINA//SOMETHING)
Yuyoyuppe, who also goes by DJ'TEKINA//SOMETHING, remains our favourite Japanese DJ after experiencing his live sets at STGCC 2013 and AFA 2014. The producer for BABYMETAL and more recently, the ending themes for this year's animes "Yuri Kuma Arashi" and "Monster Musume", he first started out as a Vocaloid producer famous for using Megurine Luka in many of his works such as "Palette" and "Leia". Trust us- you will regret not attending his live set!
Higedriver
Higedriver is also a man with many top hits to his name, such as Unbreakable Machine Doll's crowd-favourite ending "Maware! Setsugetsuka" and Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun's "Uraomote Fortune". In addition to his anisong writing credits, he is also a top musician in the chiptunes scene, actively remixes songs for idols, games and provides music for comedy shows and arcade games. He was one of the DJs at ITGCC (Indonesia's version of STGCC) last year and we are eagerly looking forward to his first live set in Singapore!
TAM (TAMUSIC)
Violinist extraordinaire, TAM (TAMUSIC), who started off as an anisong cover musician, will be returning two years after his first solo performance at STGCC 2013. He has released more than 150 albums since being active in 2005 and recently, has even collaborated with top industry personalities such as Lia (Angel Beats!) and Shinji Orito (VisualArts/Key music producer).
Animenz
He will be joined by Animenz, a classically trained pianist who has gained a substantial following on the Internet for his virtuosic performance and transcription of anime music. Animenz has performed live in Singapore twice previously- at a concert with fellow anime pianist Theishter in 2013 and his own solo concert held at Hwa Chong Institution last year.
Be riveted by their soul-shaking music as the two virtuosos will be playing together on the same stage at STGCC's two-hour Acoustic Live Special on Saturday night, from 7.00pm to 9.00pm, beginning right after Rie Yunohara's and You Yanase's Stage Special!
Tomokazu Sugita
This year's STGCC also sees popular voice actor Tomokazu Sugita, famous for voicing characters such as "Kyon"from "Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu" and "Gintoki" for "Gintama" returning to our shores. Avid fans were out in full force at his talk panel at the main stage last year and we would expect the same showing for this year too.
It's a pity that he won't be appearing at the Walk of Fame though, else fans would be swooning all over him.
Toshimichi Mori
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| Toshimichi Mori looking badass |
He will be joined by one of the leading game producers from Arc System Works, Japan, Mori Toshimichi. Toshimichi is the man behind the world-famous fighting game series, "BLAZEBLUE" and also "XBLAZE". He will be speaking about his works, together with Tomokazu, at the "Spotlight on Toshimichi Mori" panel from 1.30pm to 2.30pm on Sunday afternoon
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| Toshimichi might just be speaking about the upcoming BlazBlue: Central Fiction at STGCC! |
He will also be making an appearance at the "Game Creators Talk Show" at 3.30pm and yes, he will be signing at the Walk of Fame from 4.30pm to 5.30pm so don't miss this special chance to meet him in person!
Adam Hughes
On the Western side of things, we also have world-class illustrator Adam Hughes gracing our shores for the first time! For those unfamiliar, Hughes is a superstar artist in the comic book industry, having illustrated over a hundred covers for DC Comics' titles such as Catwoman, Wonder Woman and Bill Willingham's creator-owned series, Fables. His recognisably-strong and elegantly-drawn women have garnered him much acclaim.
Fun fact: He once did interior art for the Justice League ongoing too!
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| Adam's STGCC-exclusive Captain Marvel print, limited to 200 pieces only! |
Hughes will be signing for fans at STGCC's Walk of Fame and taking head sketches at $70 per fan, limited to a total of 30 per session at his personal table. Session timings may be found here. Don't miss this exclusive chance to get a personalised sketch by a top industry talent!
Jim Cheung
Making his debut in Singapore is also the co-creator of the original Young Avengers, Jim Cheung. Cheung is well-known for his detailed line art and has worked on covers for many Marvel titles such as Secret Warriors (who will be debuting in the third season of "Agents of Shield"), New Avengers, the 2012 crossover event Avengers vs X-Men and interior art for Avengers: The Children's Crusade.
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| Marvellous Jim Cheung art |
We are extremely huge fans of Cheung's work and are looking forward to meeting him at STGCC. No details of sketching sessions have been announced at present but he will be signing at the Walk of Fame. Time to dig out that Secret Warriors #1 for him to sign...
Adi Granov
Who could forget Adi Granov? XDantheManX met the Bosnian-American comic book artist and conceptual designer of the Iron Man movie at STGCC two years ago. Granov is also another prolific cover artist, having illustrated over 100 covers for titles such as Iron Man, Nova, X-Men and most recently, Marvel Comics' new Darth Vader series.
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| Some really killer art by artist Adi Granov |
His attention to detail is incredible and we love the aesthetic watercolour-like look of his artwork. We can't wait to meet him again. He will be doing signings at the Walk of Fame so grab yourself a copy of a comic with his artwork on the cover and get it signed by the man himself!
Joining the three big male artists are female illustrators Agnes Garbowska and Camilla d'Errico. They will be speaking at STGCC's first-ever Women-in-Comics panel from 4.15pm to 5pm at the STGCC Stage on Saturday afternoon and signing at the Walk of Fame on both days.
Agnes Garbowska
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| It's comic book artist Agnes Garbowska's first time in Singapore!(Source: Robbins Studio) |
Believe it or not, My Little Pony is one of IDW's (the publisher with the fourth-largest market share, publishing comics from licensed properties such as Transformers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) best-selling comics, with the first issue fetching over 90,000 orders.
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| Garbowska has done a lot of art on My Little Pony |
Illustrator Agnes Garbowska, who has done interior and cover art for many of its titles, will be coming down to Singapore! She has also produced covers for the Powerpuff Girls, Dexter's Lab, Red Sonja, Sonic the Hedgehog comics and Valiant Comics' Unity.
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| Cool, she was at the White House! (Source: Agnes Garbowska's Twitter) |
Born in Poland and raised in Canada-we can't resist saying this-not only is Garbowska's art stunning, but she is so pretty too! That is one Walk of Fame session we wouldn't want to miss (of course we're there to get our comics signed)!
Camilla d'Errico
Drawing comic books since 2001, Camilla d'Errico has worked with a number of writers including Harbinger writer Joshua Dysart on the two-part graphic novel "Avril Lavigne's Make 5 Wishes" and Neil Gaiman on a collaborative print based on his short story, "How to Talk to Girls at Parties".
She has had two art books published by Dark Horse- "Femina & Fauna" and "HelmetGirls" and illustrated covers for Richard Starkings' creator-owned "Elephantmen". In addition to her comic work, she has taken on design and illustration projects by cilents such as Walt Disney and Hasbro Toys.
Maybe we could get an update on her long-gestating Vertigo series The New Bible with Grant Morrison at STGCC!
C.B. Cebulski
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| C.B. Cebulski, Marvel Talent Scout and Foodie (Source: Darlene Horn, Zagat) |
Last but not least, Marvel may not be coming to STGCC this year but their Talent Scout will be returning! A familiar face in the comics community, C.B. Cebulski will be back to look for new Singaporean talent to draw for Marvel. Artists interested in having their portfolio reviewed may submit their work samples at STGCC and you might just join the ranks of local talents Benjamin Ang and Gary Choo.
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| One of our favourite covers, the X-23 variant for Wolverine #315, by Singaporean artist Benjamin Ang |
Cebulski will also be sharing about comics together with renowned artists Adam Hughes, Jim Cheung and Adi Granov at the "Talking Comics" panel from 3.15pm to 4.15pm on Saturday and 12.30pm to 1.30pm on Sunday. Do drop by and listen to their insights about the comics industry!
With such a stellar line-up of guests from both the East and the West, STGCC is really staying true to its name as "The Coolest Event of the Year". Don't miss this chance to meet and interact with your favourite personalities up close, take photos with the dazzling guest cosplayers, attend live idol and anisong performances and take home a load of cool, exclusive merchandise!
The full list of guests, stage programmes and Walk of Fame schedules are available on the STGCC website.
Are you ready for STGCC 2015?
The 8th Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention (STGCC) will be held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre on 12 and 13 Sept, from 10am to 9pm. 1-Day and 2-Day tickets will be on sale at the on-site ticketing counters from 8am at $19 and $28 respectively.
