Article by: Ng Ching Peng
The first week of September saw the arrival of hundreds to Marina Bay Sands – all in the name of attending the Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention (STGCC). Held over the weekend, the two day convention featured exhibitors from
the likes of Bandai to Shogakukan Asia, who were there to promote their new translated manga titles.
Organized by American company Reed Exhibitions, STGCC brands itself as a pop culture experience. With guest panels and autograph sessions by Marvel and DC comic artists, toy designers and figurine exhibitors, the convention has a reputation for featuring cultural icons for the geek crowd. This year’s STGCC greeted con-goers with a splendid Star Wars display, a follow up to last year’s Iron Man showcase.
Furthermore, STGCC also attracts many fans of Japanese anime and manga. Just how does it manage to keep itself relevant to such a diverse crowd? The answer is simple: STGCC isn’t just a convention for American comic fans – it’s the one convention that caters to both American and Japanese fictional media fans.
This wide range of interests is reflected in STGCC’s guest lineup. American comic artists like Humberto Ramos, who is currently working on the Amazing SpiderMan series, are contrasted beside Japanese content creators such as Kedouin Makoto, the writer behind the story for famed horror game franchise Corpse Party. The guest list also features many other personalities. There are guest cosplayers, brand owners and also toy designers, demonstrating the flexibility of STGCC as a convention. Never will you see another lineup so mismatched and yet wide-reaching at another convention.
If we’re talking about STGCC’s outstanding aspects, DJ Night definitely deserves a mention. A recent addition to the convention’s lineup, it brings indie Japanese music artists down to liven up the night with remixes of popular Japanese tunes and original compositions. This year saw IOSYS’ D.Watt, DJ Inu and Vocaloid producer Sasakure. UK on stage, following up after 2013’s Livetune and Yuyoyuppe – both of whom had started their music careers with Vocaloid on the Japanese video site Niconico Douga.
Vocaloid software allows composers to produce works using pre-recorded voice banks. Composers often upload their completed works to Niconico Douga. Niconico Douga is a popular Japanese video uploading site for budding singers and songwriters to show off their talents.
Unfortunately, Japanese music production circles and Niconico Douga are not readily available to those who are unable to cross the language barrier. But by putting these artists on stage, STGCC offers con-goers the unique experience of stepping into a world that might otherwise go overlooked. Let’s not forget about the one guest that got so many excited – Sugita Tomokazu, who provided the voice of Gintama’s Sakata Gintoki and also Joseph Joestar of Jojo’s Bizarre
Adventure. Many friends of mine immediately made the decision to pay the 19 dollar one-day entrance fee upon seeing him on STGCC’s guest list this year. When it was time for Sugita’s talk segment, the entire stage area was packed with his fans – a testament to his popularity. Additionally, this is arguably the first time any Singaporean convention has managed to secure such an illustrious voice actor as part of their lineup.
Initially, STGCC may seem like a convention solely centred around toys, games, and American comics. Venture further in and wade past the throng of people however, and you’ll see booths selling official anime merchandise such as character straps, clear files, and cosplay items.
The divide between these two faces of STGCC are just as obvious when one observes the cosplaying crowd. Characters from DC and Marvel comics share floor space with characters from the cycling manga Yowamushi Pedal, and soon everyone just begins to blur together in a strange cultural mix.
Straddling the line between West and East, there’s almost no question as to how STGCC is able to maintain its crowd. The convention is essentially the best of both worlds – get two for the price of one, and all the better if you happen to be a fan of both!