Tangerang Selatan, August 15, 2026 — ICE BSD City was once again filled with anime, manga, gaming, cosplay, music, and Japanese pop culture enthusiasts as Anime Festival Asia Indonesia 2026 (AFAID26) officially kicked off its first day.
Taking place on August 15–16, AFAID26 marks a special milestone as it celebrates 10 years of Anime Festival Asia in Indonesia. With the theme “Celebrate the Magic of Japan Pop Culture,” this year’s festival brings together different sides of Japanese pop culture under one roof.
And judging from Day 1, there was certainly no shortage of things to experience.
A Festival Filled With Japanese Pop Culture
From the moment visitors entered the venue, ICE BSD was filled with exhibition booths, merchandise, cosplay, community activities, and interactive programs.
AFAID26 features several areas, including the Exhibition Zone, Creators Hub, Cosplay Hub, Food Street, AFA Cardverse, and AFA Next Stage.
But beyond the exhibition area, the stage programs became one of the biggest attractions throughout the day.
PANDAVVA Brings Indonesian Culture Into the VTuber Scene
One of the interesting performances on Day 1 came from PANDAVVA, an Indonesian male VTuber group.
Making their debut in January 2026, PANDAVVA brings a unique concept by combining the world of VTubers with Indonesian culture, taking inspiration from the legendary Pandawa characters from the Mahabharata.
The group consists of Arjuna Arkana, Bima Bayusena, Nakula Nalendra, Sadewa Sagara, and Yudistira Yogendra.
Their appearance at AFAID26 became an interesting example of how Japanese-inspired digital pop culture can meet Indonesian cultural identity on the same stage.
DARUMA Rollin’ Brings “Stecu” to AFAID26
The music stage also had its own surprise with the appearance of DARUMA Rollin’.
The three-member J-band has a particularly strong connection with Indonesia. Formed with the vision of introducing Japanese culture to the world through music, the band has been based in Jakarta since May 2025.
During their Day 1 appearance, DARUMA Rollin’ performed several songs, including their take on the Indonesian viral hit “Stecu.”
The performance created a unique cultural crossover: a Japanese band performing a song that has become highly recognizable among Indonesian listeners.
Detective Conan Special Stage with Noriko Hidaka
One of the most anticipated moments of Day 1 was the Detective Conan Special Stage, featuring legendary Japanese voice actress Noriko Hidaka.
Hidaka is widely recognized for her long career in anime voice acting, including her role as Masumi Sera in Detective Conan.
Her appearance gave Indonesian Detective Conan fans a rare opportunity to meet one of the voices behind the long-running franchise.
The special stage also brought a nostalgic atmosphere to AFAID26, connecting longtime anime fans with one of Japan’s most enduring anime series.
MAPPA Special Panel
AFAID26 Day 1 was not only about performances.
The festival also hosted a MAPPA Special Panel, bringing one of Japan’s most recognized animation studios closer to Indonesian fans.
Known for its work on numerous major anime productions, MAPPA has become one of the most influential studios in modern anime.
The panel offered fans a chance to look beyond the screen and gain a closer perspective on the people and creative process behind the anime they love.
Anime Runway by COSSPO!!
Cosplay also took center stage through Anime Runway by COSSPO!!
The program featured Japanese cosplayers and gave visitors the opportunity to see beloved anime and game characters brought to life on stage.
AFAID26 featured three Japanese cosplayers — Rukia, Romu, and Kumose Chio — as part of the COSSPO!! special stage.
For cosplay enthusiasts, the Anime Runway was certainly one of the highlights worth catching during the festival.
Community Hub: Where the Fans Become Part of the Show
The energy of AFAID26 Day 1 wasn’t limited to the main stage.
The Community Hub became a gathering point for fans and communities with a variety of activities throughout the day.
Visitors could join activities such as Blue Archive Game Discussion, VTuber Shows, and Live D&D Sessions.
There was also a DJ session, adding a different energy to the community area.
Rather than simply watching from the sidelines, visitors could interact, discuss their favorite hobbies, and become part of the communities themselves.
And that is one of the things that makes AFA feel like more than just an anime convention.
From Community Activities to Music Fest
As afternoon turned into evening, the energy at AFAID26 remained high.
Day 1 eventually transitioned into the AFAID26 Music Fest, featuring artists such as ASCA, BACK-ON, Isekaijoucho, and kz (livetune).
With a mix of anisong, rock, electronic music, and Japanese pop, the Music Fest provided a fitting conclusion to the first day.
After spending hours exploring booths, meeting cosplayers, joining community activities, and attending special stages, fans could end the day with live performances from some of the biggest names in Japanese music.
One Day, Many Faces of Japanese Pop Culture
AFAID26 Day 1 showed just how diverse Japanese pop culture has become.
There was anime.
There was manga.
There were VTubers.
There was cosplay.
There were J-bands.
There were DJs.
There were gaming communities.
There was tabletop gaming.
There was an animation studio.
And, of course, there was music.
All of them came together under one roof.
After a decade of AFA in Indonesia, the festival has become more than just a celebration of Japanese pop culture. It has also become a space where Japanese and Indonesian creative communities can meet, collaborate, and celebrate their shared interests.
From PANDAVVA bringing the spirit of the Pandawa into the VTuber world, DARUMA Rollin’ performing “Stecu,” Detective Conan nostalgia with Noriko Hidaka, the MAPPA Special Panel, to the Anime Runway by COSSPO!!, AFAID26 Day 1 truly showcased the many faces of Japanese pop culture.
And the best part?
Day 1 is only the beginning.
AFAID26 continues tomorrow, August 16, with another full day of performances, guests, community activities, and Japanese pop culture experiences.
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