SMASH! (Sydney Manga and Anime SHow) is a fan run convention held at the University of New South Wales and is one of the newer conventions on the Australian scene. This was the first year for myself to attend and it was also the first year for them to expand to two days. How did things go?

Where: Roundhouse@UNSW
When: 8th & 9th of August 2009
Website: SMASH! Website
SMASH! '09 Photos

SMASH! is a convention that is primarily focused toward artists, creators and fans of anime and manga. They have also expanded to include gaming events and competitons for a more widespread reach. It is an event with a very friendly, fan feel to it which was a nice change and a throw back to some of the first fan run conventions.

The expansion from one day to two worked well with a lot more interstate people making the trip. Sydney already has a very large and active cosplay community so the amount of cosplayers was very impressive. There was a cosplay competition on both days with a game of cosplay chess also played on Saturday. Also a cosplay photo booth set up for the weekend. The contest was held in the main theater of the Round House which also had traders around the edge of the hall. Prize categories included winner and runner-up in Best Group, Best Skit, Best Cosplay and finally a Judges' Choice.

Other events of interest that took place at SMASH! Included Cosplay Chess, Cosplay Snap photography booth, Maid Café, Trivia Competition, Karaoke, Dollfie Photography Contest, Manga Idol and a Charity Artbook Auction.

The change in numbers from Saturday to Sunday was fairly noticeable but that was to be expected for a convention going to two days for the first time. However it was also noticeable how many out of state people went to the event as its reputation as a fun convention had spread.

The early years have been good to SMASH! And we can just hope that they continue to be as they go crashing into the future.

Update:

SMASH! have announced their plans for next year with them going back to one day, 7th of August. This is due to a move to Sydney town hall and the extra expense this involves but they have also announced special guests YŪKO MIYAMURA and TIFFANY GRANT, the Japanese and English voices of Asuka from Evangelion. MATT GREENFIELD one of the co-founders of ADV Films will also be a guest. Find out more at the SMASH! Website.