BSD City, Tangerang — Sunday, August 16, 2026 — The excitement was impossible to miss from the moment the doors opened at 10:00 a.m. WIB at Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) BSD City, Halls 1 & 2. Anime Festival Asia Indonesia 2026 (AFAID26) officially kicked off its highly anticipated celebration of a decade of AFA in Indonesia, bringing together thousands of fans for a full day of anime, music, cosplay, and Japanese pop culture.

Held under the theme “Celebrate the Magic of Japan Pop Culture,” the festival was presented by SOZO Pte Ltd in collaboration with PK Entertainment. From the exhibition floor to community stages and evening concerts, Day One delivered a packed schedule that kept the energy high from morning until late at night.

AFA Next Stage: A Full Day of Nonstop Entertainment

From midday onward, the AFA Next Stage became one of the festival’s main hubs of activity, featuring a diverse lineup of showcases, special guests, anime highlights, and interactive programs.

The day began with an energetic Idol Showcase by Meishohikokai at 11:00 a.m., followed by a VTuber Showcase featuring Pandavva at 11:30 a.m. At 12:15 p.m., Daruma Rollin’ brought a fresh J-pop flavor to the stage with its Music Showcase.

Anime fans were then treated to a special Detective Conan session at 1:00 p.m., featuring legendary voice actress Noriko Hidaka, whose appearance was warmly received by fans of the iconic detective series.

The spotlight shifted behind the scenes at 2:00 p.m. with a Featured Content session featuring Manabu Otsuka, President & CEO of MAPPA, alongside Kiyoshi Matsuda. The session offered fans a closer look at the creative world and production process behind some of Japan’s most celebrated anime.

Music took center stage again at 3:00 p.m. with a special performance by Dave Rodgers, the legendary Eurobeat artist best known for his connection to Initial D. The afternoon continued with a vibrant Cosplay Showcase featuring Rukia, Romu, and Kumose Chio, who impressed audiences with their detailed costumes and performances.

At 4:30 p.m., fans of Needy Girl Overdose gathered for a Featured Anime session with voice actress Sally Amaki, one of the day’s highly anticipated appearances. The afternoon concluded with the Stamp Rally Lucky Draw, giving visitors the chance to win exciting prizes after collecting stamps throughout the festival grounds.

AFA Music Fest Ignites ICE BSD City

As day turned into night, the excitement reached another level with the first night of AFAID26 Music Fest.

The concert opened its doors at 6:00 p.m. WIB, welcoming thousands of fans ready to experience a night dedicated to the diverse sounds of Japanese music.

Sally Amaki opened the concert with a warm and energetic performance, immediately setting the mood for the evening. The atmosphere intensified when Tokyo rock duo BACK-ON took the stage, blending rock, hip-hop, and rap into their signature high-energy performance.

Next came kz (livetune), the acclaimed digital music producer behind the iconic track Tell Your World. His electronic sound brought a distinctly futuristic atmosphere to the venue, captivating fans with an immersive musical experience.

The evening continued with Isekaijoucho, whose distinctive vocals and alternative musical style created a more atmospheric and unique chapter in the concert. Following that, anisong powerhouse ASCA took the stage, delivering a powerful and emotional performance featuring the kind of vocal intensity that has made her a favorite among anime music fans, including through themes from Fate/Apocrypha and Sword Art Online: Alicization.

Then came the grand finale.

SPYAIR Brings the Night to a Roaring Finish

Closing the first night of AFAID26 Music Fest, SPYAIR transformed the venue into a massive sing-along.

Known for their energetic J-rock sound and numerous popular anime theme songs, the band delivered a performance that had fans singing along throughout the arena. The collective voices of thousands of fans created one of the most memorable moments of the night, providing a spectacular finale to Day One.

With a lineup spanning idol performances, VTubers, anime voice actors, industry figures, electronic music, alternative sounds, anisong, and J-rock, the first day of AFAID26 proved to be much more than an anime festival. It was a vibrant celebration of the many sides of Japanese pop culture and the passionate community that brings it to life.

And with even more highly anticipated performances and special appearances still to come, the excitement was only getting started.

Photo Gallery — AFAID26 Music Fest Day One: View the concert photo gallery