Cosplay.ph kept the summer anime momentum going in the Philippines with FanFes 2026, a two-day fan event held last weekend at Ayala One in Makati.
Coming right after Cosplay Carnival, FanFes 2026 had a slightly different flavour: less massive convention chaos, more cozy community gathering. The event was positioned as a celebration of Filipino anime fandom, and based on Anime Corner’s coverage, cosplay was once again one of the main highlights.
For Malaysian and SEA anime fans, this is the kind of event worth paying attention to. The Philippines has one of the region’s strongest cosplay communities, and events like FanFes show how active the scene remains outside the giant year-end convention calendar. Not every anime gathering needs to be a mega-con with huge halls, international guests, and impossible queues. Sometimes the best energy comes from smaller fan-focused events where cosplayers, photographers, artists, and regular fans can actually hang out properly.
That matters because the SEA ACG scene is becoming more connected every year. Malaysian fans are already familiar with events like Animangaki, Comic Fiesta, Nijigen Expo, and smaller community pop-ups. Seeing FanFes continue the momentum in Makati shows that regional anime culture is not slowing down — if anything, it is spreading across more cities, more venues, and more formats.
The cosplay angle is especially important. In Malaysia, cosplay has moved from “side activity at conventions” to one of the biggest reasons people attend. Same story across the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand. Cosplayers are not just dressing up for photos anymore; they are community anchors, content creators, performers, and sometimes the main draw of the whole event.
Anime Corner’s FanFes 2026 cosplay gallery, photographed by William Mescallado, captures that side of the event: fans showing up, representing the characters they love, and bringing the venue to life. No need to overcomplicate it — cosplay is still one of the purest parts of anime fandom because it is built on effort, taste, and confidence. Respect gila to anyone who suits up in SEA weather, because bro, the humidity is the real final boss.
Cosplay.ph and the event staff also received thanks in Anime Corner’s wrap-up, with fans encouraged to follow the Cosplay Mania Facebook page for updates on future events. Anime Corner also noted that it is a media partner for the Cosplay Mania 2026 events.
For Malaysian readers, FanFes 2026 is another reminder that SEA’s anime calendar is getting packed. If you are the type who plans trips around conventions, the Philippines should definitely stay on your radar.
Source: Anime Corner