Jakarta — Tuesday, August 18, 2026 — After two action-packed days of anime, music, cosplay, creativity, and community, Anime Festival Asia Indonesia 2026 (AFAID26) has officially come to a close.
Held on August 15–16, 2026, at Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) BSD City, Halls 1 & 2, AFAID26 marked the 10th edition of Anime Festival Asia in Indonesia, bringing its decade-long celebration to life under the theme “Celebrate the Magic of Japan Pop Culture.”
Presented by SOZO Pte Ltd in collaboration with PK Entertainment, the festival delivered two full days of programming, from exhibitions and community activities to special guest appearances, cosplay competitions, and two nights of Japanese music performances.
And as the final lights went down, one message was clear: AFAID26 was a celebration not only of Japanese pop culture, but of the passionate community that has grown alongside AFA over the past decade.
Day One: Nonstop Entertainment at AFA Next Stage
The festival opened its doors at 10:00 a.m. WIB, with thousands of visitors quickly filling the venue.
Throughout the day, AFA Next Stage became a constant source of entertainment, offering a diverse lineup that kept fans engaged from morning to evening.
The program featured an energetic Idol Showcase by Meishohikokai, a VTuber Showcase with Pandavva, and a Music Showcase by Daruma Rollin’.
Anime fans were treated to a special Detective Conan session featuring legendary voice actress Noriko Hidaka, while industry enthusiasts gained an inside look into anime production during a Featured Content session with Manabu Otsuka, President & CEO of MAPPA, and Kiyoshi Matsuda.
The stage continued with a special performance by Dave Rodgers, the legendary Eurobeat artist associated with Initial D, followed by a colorful Cosplay Showcase featuring Rukia, Romu, and Kumose Chio.
The day also featured a special Needy Girl Overdose session with voice actress Sally Amaki, before the Stamp Rally Lucky Draw wrapped up the day’s stage activities with prizes for participating visitors.
AFA Music Fest Brings Day One to a Spectacular Finale
The excitement continued well into the evening with the first night of AFAID26 Music Fest.
Opening the concert was Sally Amaki, who set the tone with a warm and energetic performance. Tokyo rock duo BACK-ON then brought their signature combination of rock, hip-hop, and rap to the stage, sending the crowd’s energy even higher.
Electronic music producer kz (livetune) followed, captivating fans with his distinctive sound and iconic electronic compositions, including Tell Your World.
The night continued with the atmospheric and distinctive performance of Isekaijoucho, followed by anisong powerhouse ASCA, whose powerful vocals and emotional delivery captivated the audience.
Finally, SPYAIR took the stage for the night’s grand finale. With their signature J-rock energy and a selection of beloved anime themes, the band turned the venue into one enormous sing-along, creating an unforgettable ending to the first day.
Day Two: AFAID26 Reaches Its Grand Finale
If Day One set the stage, Day Two delivered the grand finale.
Among the most anticipated moments was the Southeast Asian debut of TOGENASHI TOGEARI through their Rinne no Kotowari Southeast Asia Tour 2026.
The band, originating from the anime project GIRLS BAND CRY, made its first-ever appearance in Indonesia, giving fans a rare opportunity to experience their music live. The performance quickly became one of the defining moments of AFAID26.
Another highlight came in the form of a special talk show with Japanese illustrator LAM, giving fans a closer look at the creative process and ideas behind the artist’s distinctive visual works.
Fans of Love Live! Superstar!! also received a special treat with appearances by Aya Emori and Yuina, who met and interacted with fans of the popular idol franchise.
Meanwhile, the AFA Cosplay Singles Competition put the spotlight firmly on the community’s creative talent. Individual cosplayers from different regions came together to showcase their craftsmanship, performances, and interpretations of beloved characters while competing for cash prizes.
Together, these programs provided a fitting finale to AFA’s 10-year journey in Indonesia.
More Than a Festival: A Home for the Community
Beyond the stages and concerts, the Exhibition Hall remained packed throughout the two-day event, with dozens of booths representing major brands and intellectual properties.
Visitors could explore booths from AVEX, Crunchyroll, Fitbar, Hello Kingdom, Honda, Honor of Kings, Hydro Coco, iQOO, Kyou Hobby, Lumica, Phoenix Gramedia Indonesia, Rexus, and Universal Music Indonesia, alongside themed activations for Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage and JOJOCARAVAN.
AFAID26 also introduced AFA Cardverse, a new zone dedicated to the Trading Card Game community, featuring eight exhibitors.
For fans and creators, the Cosplay Hub and Creators Hub provided spaces to showcase talent, meet fellow enthusiasts, and celebrate creativity. Meanwhile, Food Street offered visitors a place to recharge, while the Community Hub brought together Japanese pop culture communities from Greater Jakarta and surrounding areas.
The result was an experience that extended far beyond the main stage: a festival where fans could discover something new, meet people who shared their passions, and simply enjoy being part of the AFA community.
A Decade of AFA in Indonesia Comes to a Close
With the final program concluding on August 16, AFAID26 officially closed its 10th edition in Indonesia.
Over two vibrant days, the festival brought together anime, music, cosplay, creators, exhibitors, and communities under one roof. From major Japanese artists and anime personalities to passionate local cosplayers and fans, AFAID26 captured the many faces of Japanese pop culture and the enthusiasm it continues to inspire across Indonesia.
More importantly, the 10th edition celebrated a journey that began years ago and has continued to grow alongside generations of fans.
A decade later, the magic of AFA remains very much alive.
And while AFAID26 may be over, the memories, music, costumes, performances, and friendships created throughout the weekend will undoubtedly live on.
See you next year!
Photo Gallery
AFAID26 Day 2: View the Day 2 photo gallery
For more festival updates, photos, and highlights, follow @afaid_ig and @animefestivalasia on Instagram and visit Anime Festival Asia — AFAID26.
About AFAID26
Anime Festival Asia Indonesia (AFAID) is one of Southeast Asia’s leading Japanese pop culture festivals, organized by SOZO Pte Ltd. In 2026, AFA celebrated its 10th edition in Indonesia under the theme “Celebrate the Magic of Japan Pop Culture.”
Held at ICE BSD City on August 15–16, AFAID26 brought together fans of anime, comics, games, music, cosplay, and Japanese pop culture for a two-day celebration.
Since its establishment in 2008, Anime Festival Asia (AFA) has grown into a leading Japanese pop culture convention in Southeast Asia. Across more than 30 events, AFA has featured over 520 performers and more than 2,300 exhibitors, welcoming more than 2.3 million visitors across six cities, from Singapore to Tokyo.
AFA Singapore has also received the Outstanding Leisure Event award at the Singapore Tourism Awards on multiple occasions.
About SOZO
Established in 2009, SOZO Pte Ltd is a leading Southeast Asian entertainment company and one of the pioneers in developing the Anime, Comics, and Games (ACG) ecosystem through its flagship platform, Anime Festival Asia.
Beyond conventions, SOZO produces concert experiences such as I Love Anisong and creative showcases including AFA Creators Super Fest. The company has also brought renowned Japanese artists such as EVE, RADWIMPS, YOASOBI, and Ado to stages across Southeast Asia.
SOZO also operates AFA SHOP and serves as an official distributor of KOTOBUKIYA in Singapore and Malaysia, further strengthening its role in bringing Japanese entertainment and culture to audiences across the region.
About PK Entertainment
Established in 2015, PK Entertainment is a leading Indonesian concert promoter and event, brand activation, and creative agency. The company brings together visionaries, strategists, and creators to curate and deliver high-quality experiences.
Over the past decade, PK Entertainment has worked with multinational companies including Google, Meta, Instagram, YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and GoTo, delivering more than 300 events.
Its concert portfolio includes major international artists such as Celine Dion, Ed Sheeran, Backstreet Boys, Shawn Mendes, LANY, keshi, Westlife, Calum Scott, RADWIMPS, Fujii Kaze, ONE OK ROCK, Charlie Puth, Coldplay, YOASOBI, Ado, Tom Jones, EVE, and Anime Festival Asia, among many others.
As AFAID26 closes the chapter on its first decade in Indonesia, one thing is certain: the magic of Japan pop culture continues to shine brighter than ever.
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