Another year, another unforgettable weekend as AniManGaki 2025 made its grand return at the Mines International Exhibition & Convention Centre (MIECC) from the 22nd to the 24th of August, bringing together thousands of fans and fandoms under one roof to celebrate all things anime, cosplay, and gaming.
Stage Performances
Let’s kick things off on a high note. It was undeniable that the stage at AniManGaki 2025 was alive from the very first beat to the final cheer, constantly drawing crowds no matter the time of day across the entire span of the event. You could feel the energy bouncing back and forth as fans sang in unison, waved glowsticks and clapped to the beat whenever a familiar tune came on.
However, one of the most unforgettable highlights came when the band Za Shinsei led the crowd in a sing-along of “Satu Malaysia.” As Independence Day was just around the corner, the hall was filled with voices echoing in unison, creating a rare moment of unity and patriotism that transcended the usual convention energy. For a few minutes, it wasn’t just about anime or music, it was about celebrating as Malaysians, side by side, under one roof.
Hashire! Hashire! Umamusume!
If you somehow haven’t heard of Umamusume: Pretty Derby by now, let me break it down for you. In essence, it’s a surprisingly enjoyable sports-simulation gacha game where you as the trainer, train, race and manage adorable and quirky horse girls characters inspired by real-life racehorses in their road to achieving victory and becoming legends.
Since it was such a beloved franchise even prior to its global release, it’s no surprise that it had already galloped its way into an event as big as AMG with hundreds of fans coming together, cosplaying as their favourite Umas and even taking part in a little PvP action for some good fun and even some nice prizes.
Happening across all three days at the Otogamers arcade booth, attendees could take part in ranked tournaments among themselves, or just opt to challenge each other, as there was coincidentally an ongoing in-game event called the Taurus Cup that managed to challenge even the strongest of trainers.
Cosplay Competition
What would an anime convention even be without a cosplay competition? Needless to say, it’s probably one of the main moments that everyone looks forward to, and it’s no wonder that it was one of the main highlights over the course of the weekend. It is safe to say that this year, attendees got a dose of exactly what they were looking forward to and so much more.
Fans cheered the loudest at the return of a legendary trio that many con-goers would instantly recognize, namely, SpongeBob, Patrick and Squidward. Having appeared at multiple anime conventions in past years, their return to AMG was treated as less of a contest entry and more like a reunion with old friends, so it was no surprise that they won the crowd favorite award.
As for the main stage winners, this year’s first place went to a spectacular My Hero Academia cosplay and performance featuring Todoroki and Dabi. Their combination of detailed cosplay work with a dramatic skit brought the characters to life in a way that had the entire hall erupting in applause. In sharp contrast, second place went to a duo of intimidating Warhammer cosplayers, showing off the sheer diversity of fandoms represented in the competition.
Studio Orange Unleashes The Stampede!
The Humanoid Typhoon, Vash, alongside his companions from Trigun Stampede made a striking appearance this year, as Studio Orange went all out in providing fans with an in-person experience where they could witness the spectacular character illustrations and steampunk-inspired machinery designs that make the anime so iconic.
Fans even had the opportunity to show their love for their favourite characters by pasting little sticky notes onto the character banners, giving you a sense of how beloved the series is.
The studio also held a series of panels throughout the weekend. To start off, we had Fumihiko Katagai, who boasts an astonishing skillset ranging from animation to illustration, and can be seen in the image below doing a live character sketch . He was joined by Yumihiko Amano, the mastermind behind the mechanical designs in Trigun Stampede, who shared his experience in working on the series.
Last but not least, we had Tatsuya Hattori, who in his own right is a legend in the world of figurine sculpting, and is the creative mind behind the entire ARTFX J Trigun Stampede collection. His accomplishments are a perfect reminder of how artistry and craftsmanship can bring characters on screen to life.
Animangaki Idol
The crowd favourite segment AniManGaki Idol made its glorious return this year, giving fans the chance to step into the limelight and show off their talents. This year’s competition in particular had plenty of memorable moments, from heartfelt tributes to fun crowd-pleasers.
One contestant came out in a sharp suit to perform “Daddy! Daddy! Do!!” from Kaguya-sama: Love is War, instantly lifting the mood as the crowd clapped and sang along. In contrast, another contestant paid homage to the original 1970’s Kamen Rider, combining both song and dance that struck an emotional chord with the audience.
Demon Slayer Fans Enter the Infinity Castle
One of the most eye-catching attractions at AMG 2025 was the Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle promotional booth, set up to mark the upcoming release of the movie in Malaysia. Designed to immerse fans in the chilling atmosphere of Muzan’s domain, the booth recreated décor that transported fans into the Demon Slayer world.
Fans who shared their shots online were rewarded with exclusive freebies like movie posters, badges, and postcards, making the experience all the more memorable.
Artist Alley & Booths
No convention weekend would be complete without taking a slow, wallet-endangering stroll through the artist alley and vendor booths. This year’s spread was as colorful and diverse as ever, packed with merchandise inspired by fan-favorite series like Pokémon, Umamusume, Genshin Impact, and even Monster Hunter.
Some artists could be found taking up exhibitor booths, where fans were greeted by even more event-exclusive collectibles and plenty of must-have treasures to bring home as souvenirs. Whether you were a seasoned collector or just browsing for something cute, there was a little something for everyone. It was a reminder that beyond those in the spotlight and guest panels, these grassroots creators remain the heartbeat of anime conventions like AniManGaki.
Conclusion
Alas, it’s true that they say that all good things must come to an end. We hope that if you’re reading this, you managed to get a feel of how incredible and wonderful every aspect of this event was. That said, even if you missed the event, don’t feel too bad because as they say, the best things are never really over, they just come back again next year.
See you at AniManGaki 2026!
