Pop-yew-ler

For CM, AM and I, Animania 2010, was all about the spectating. In the "Chibi Room", we saw crystal-clear, HD(?) footage of the performances from August's World Cosplay Summit championships in Nagoya. The Strine lasses gave a good account of themselves, but the Italian chaps channelling Link and Ganondorf were deserved winners. Their costumes, make-up and props were of a Hollywood standard.

Moving to the main-stage area, we witnessed an unofficial passing of the torch from the WCS gals, skits by a selection of local contenders for 2011 and Singaporean guests, plus the regular Animania solo and group cosplay contests. The overall quality was super high - and that extends to details such as slideshows and background music (which included an inspired co-opting of a catchy "Wicked" number).

We didn't stay for the judging, but a personal favourite of mine was the willowy blonde dressed in valkyrie fashion. I now know what sort of divine guardians I want for my tomb.

Morbid insanity aside, I also had a substantial squiz at the dealer tables and came away with cute fan art of Harley Quinn, "Zombie Apocalypse" warning stickers, and a surprise manga spin-off novel - "Genshiken: Return Of The Otaku" by Iida Kazutoshi. My lone tchotchke was a "Whack-A-Mole" keyring that emits a snatch of the "Bubble Bobble" theme and then, disappointingly, goes dead.

Where are those shield maidens when you need 'em?