Cosplay Mania 2026 “Dazzling Diamond” kicked off last weekend, and as always, the convention was an exciting gathering for fans from all walks of life to celebrate their love for anime, cosplay, and everything related to Japanese pop culture. It was held from October 2-4, 2026, at Halls 1-4, SMX Convention Center, Pasay City, Philippines.
As one of the biggest and most awaited events in the Philippines, Cosplay Mania 2026 brought together a lineup of renowned guest cosplayers, amazing anisong artists, and a convention center full of passionate creatives and enthusiasts. The event also featured its own ultimate go-big-or-go-home singing and cosplay competitions, as well as the amusing activities by Mountain Dew, Nissin Cup Noodles, and Nissin Yakisoba. Arigatoys also brought in a large exhibit of Good Smile Company and Kotobukiya goodies, while Film Concerts Philippines displayed a large illustration of their upcoming official anime concerts: the Jujutsu Kaisen in Concert and the Attack on Titan Symphony from Paradis.
Aside from the JAM Concert, the craziest part of the weekend is undoubtedly how the All-Stars alley created a jam-packed lineup of local and international cosplayers. It’s also noteworthy to point out how the set-up this year is an effective change from last year. The expo floor was organized into easy-to-understand blocks, while the artist alley allowed the con-goers to shop around efficiently.
All in all, Cosplay Mania 2026 delivered a lively celebration of the arts, and in true Filipino energy, the convention felt like one big festival. See our Cosplay Mania 2026 snaps below:
Guests of Honor and the Japanese Anime Music Concerts
Cosplay Mania 2026 had a dazzling lineup of guests this year, including cosplay icons Prestonles and YingTze from Malaysia, cosplay heartthrob Thames from Thailand, voice actress Diana Garnet (Alice Thymefield in Honkai: Star Rail, ending theme performer “Spinning World” for Naruto: Shippuden), fan-favorite gaming executive from Japan, Hiroto Kuramasu (Ikémen Series), and a special despidida fpr Canadian cosplayer Hikarin.
Filipino fans, including myself, were able to enjoy a fun weekend of being in the presence of these awesome and talented personalities. The once-in-a-lifetime experiences make coming to these kinds of events very much worth it.
There were also events with VTubers Féileacán Cú from the Philippines and with HOLOSTARS EN: Machina x Flayon, Banzoin Hakka, Jurard T Rexford, Octavio, Axel Syrios, Gavis Bettel, Josuiji Shinri, Goldbullet, and Crimzon Ruze.
We were able to join Day 1 of the JAM Concert, courtesy of Cosplay.ph, which featured the legendary Nami Tamaki. The performances were nothing short of spectacular, and it’s no exaggeration that this electrifying evening left us in tears of happiness and our fangirl hearts full. The JAM concert that weekend went on with Ayunda Risu and Momosuzu Nene on Day 2, followed by MindayRyn and ZAQ on Day 3.
We also prepared a special feature for the Day 1 JAM Concert, alongside our exclusive interviews with Nami Tamaki, MindaRyn, and ZAQ, so make sure to check it out!
A Stellar Weekend to Remember
It’s my fifth year covering these events with Anime Corner. I’ve recently written about celebrating the arts and fandoms, keeping one’s passion alive amidst the burnout, and just finding awesomeness in the accumulation of little moments. The pictures, merchandise, friendships, and whatnot are the souvenirs we get to keep as a reminder of the meaningful experiences we had.
In the end, going to anime and cosplay events every year is more than just a hobby; it’s an experience worth looking forward to. And just like Nami Tamaki’s lyrics, even as life changes around us, Cosplay Mania 2026 is indeed our shining star, an unforgettable weekend of our youthful days charged with novel milestones and core memories.
And that’s a wrap on our Cosplay Mania 2026 coverage! Thank you to Cosplay.ph and to everyone who made this event possible (and a big thanks for the JAM Concert invitation!). For more updates on future events, visit the Cosplay Mania Facebook page.
Photography: William Mescallado
Special Thanks: Ian Carlo, Cristina Co
Disclaimer: Anime Corner is a media partner for Cosplay Mania 2026
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