Spread over 2 floors, Anime, manga and cosplay invaded the Mercure Hotel on Saturday May 1st for Animania.

Event photos

Normally held at the Holiday Inn, a smaller venue, Animania was able to spread out and give con-goers more space to game, cosplay, and shop. The change in venue was greatly appreciated by con-goers.

Animania turned into cosplaymania as cosplay was the main theme for many events. Animania once again played host to the Preliminary rounds for the World Cosplay Summit. Other events included the regular cosplay competition, newspaper cosplay, a cosplay panel, and a performance by the current Australian WCS team.

Melanie and Asham hosted the first cosplay panel giving insight into their creative processes behind their cosplays.

Melanie and Asham reappeared later on in the day to talk about their WCS experiences so far, and to perform a skit for the audience as a challenge in preparation for Japan.

The short time gap between conventions in Brisbane certainly didn't stop cosplayers from showing off new cosplays. Congratulations go out to the winners and Runners-up in all sections of the cosplay competition.

The WCS Preliminary entrants were high-calibre competition for each other, it was a great effort on everyone's behalf. Congratulations to Another World Breathing and Contramundi who have both made it through to the Australian Final round.

Nny and Aya of Contramundi cosplayed as Kefka and Terra from Final Fantasy: Dissidia. Aya said Dissidia was chosen because she “really loves the game.” Both said they flew into Brisbane, from Sydney, just to compete in this WCS Preliminary round. They were both very keen to compete to have another chance at competing in the finals, as they were unable to compete last year due to an unfortunate accident. Nny and Aya are keeping their costumes for the finals a secret, but have said they've “already started, just need to add things".

The next Animania festival will take place in Sydney, September 11-12. The Sydney Animania festival will play host to the Australian Final round to see who will represent Australia at the 2011 World Cosplay Summit in Japan.