Comic Fiesta
| Comic Fiesta | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Anime convention ACG event |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Venue | Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Years active | 23 |
| Inaugurated | 14 December 2002 |
Most recent | 20–21 December 2025 |
Next event | 19–20 December 2026 |
| Attendance | 75,000 (2025) |
Major events | Anime Fest |
| Organised by | Comic Fiesta Sdn Bhd Sequential Arts Youth Society (former) |
| Website | www |
Comic Fiesta, abbreviated as CF, is Malaysia's longest-running convention that focuses on animation, comics and games (ACG). It is also one of the largest ACG conventions held in Southeast Asia.[1] Its focus is to celebrate all aspects of art, creativity, and ACG culture of Malaysia and abroad. Comic Fiesta is usually held in December at various locations, including the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The annually held CF thus acts as an avenue for cosplayers to meet and display their costume-making skills and character embodiment, as well as to interact with fans.[2]
Starting in 2002, CF was first held in Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, Kuala Lumpur. It has expanded to include more participants with each passing year and thus has increased the accessibility and the number of activities at the convention. Some of these activities include cosplay competitions, Live Art Demonstration, and Portfolio Review Pavilion. The more recent CF editions, particularly from 2014, also included stage performances, concerts, and visits by special guests such as Danny Choo, Wan Hazmer, and performers from Hololive. Besides Comic Fiesta itself, CF Mini Penang and CF Mini Johor are other CF like events also held in Malaysia. The next edition of CF will be held in between 19 to 20 December 2026 in Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.[3]
History
[edit]Comic Fiesta started as a small exhibition at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall in Kuala Lumpur in 2002 and was organised by the SAY Youth Society.[4][5] Comic Fiesta 2003 did better than its starting year with the venue now changed to Impiana Hotel which is also located in Kuala Lumpur (currently known as Ancasa Hotel and Spa). The space had increased with a standing capacity of 300, which is double the amount than the previous year. The next Comic Fiesta was held at the Malaysian National Visual Art Gallery. Comic Fiesta 2005 and 2006 editions were both held at Sekolah Sri Sedaya. Due to the venue's close proximity to Sunway Pyramid and public transport services, the event happened to be more convenient and accessible. Comic Fiesta 2006 in particular became the birthplace of Cosplay Chess which is also a common fixture at local ACG events. The following year's Comic Fiesta was then moved to Berjaya Times Square, located in Kuala Lumpur.
Comic Fiesta 2008 was held at the Sunway Convention Centre (now known as Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre) in Selangor. Live Art Demonstrations and the Portfolio Review Pavilion debuted in this edition.
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In 2011, Comic Fiesta was moved to Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Comic Fiesta 2011 attracted over 15,000 visitors over two days; and Comic Fiesta 2012, also held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, drew over 25,000 visitors across two days (22 and 23 December 2012), and was attended by renowned Japanese artists such as Redjuice, Danny Choo and bless4. Internationally, various doujinshi writers from India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia also took part in it.[6]
In 2014, Comic Fiesta was held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from 27 to 28 December with different ACG events held here, including cosplay competition, creative art market booths, game competition finals, stage performances and concert. Producer Shinji Hashimoto and Lead Game Designer Wan Hazmer of Square Enix also held a panel on discussing the future of Final Fantasy by showing the trailer of Final Fantasy XV, which carried some influences of Malaysian life.[7]
In 2016, Comic Fiesta was then moved to Putra World Trade Centre. Comic Fiesta stated it grew rapidly. Guest lineup starring in this event included local performers such as 5 Minute Heroes and Ocean of Fire; international cosplayers Siutao, Miu, Onnies, and Stayxxxx; and popular illustrators Evacomics and Zeen.[8]
Starting from Comic Fiesta 2017, the location reverted to Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre to accommodate the increasing number of visitors.[9] Comic Fiesta 2018, which was held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from 22 to 23 December 2018, attracted approximately 60,000 visitors. Comic Fiesta 2019 was held in between 21 to 22 December 2019, also at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.[10]
Comic Fiesta-associated events, such as the Comic Art Festival Kuala Lumpur 7 (CAFKL7), Comic Fiesta Mini Johor 2020, Comic Fiesta Mini Penang 2020 and the Toys Anime Game Comic Con 2020 (TAGCC 2020) was announced to be postponed to 2021, citing the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia.[11]
Making its return in 2022, Comic Fiesta had been held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre receiving approximately 69,000 visitors. Special guests included Suzuki Konomi, Akihito Tsukushi and performers from Hololive.[12]
Comic Fiesta in 2024 was held in Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from 21 to 22 December 2024, which attracted approximately 73,000 visitors. Some of the special guests included various comic companies from Hong Kong supported by HKETO, which also held the opening ceremony of Comic Fiesta that year. Japanese artists such as Suzuki Konomi and Myth & Roid vocalist KIHOW also were the popular segments for the event.[13][14]
Comic Fiesta's most recent edition was held from 21 to 22 December 2025 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre which attracted approximately 75,000 visitors, hence making it the most visited CF to date. Some of the special guests included Shoji Kawamori whose film Labyrinth had its premiere screening in the event, Naoki Hamaguchi, Studio Head and Director of Final Fantasy XIV and Wan Hazmer. The television anime Sentenced to be a Hero also had its premiere screening at the event.[15] Hong Kong Pavilion sponsored by CCIDA from Hong Kong had also participated in it. A local artist had some stolen work being sold as a merchandise in the same year's CF.[16][17]
In 2026, Comic Fiesta will be held in between 19 and 20 December 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur.[3]
Showcase
[edit]
Creative Art Market
[edit]Comic Fiesta plays host to the largest amateur creative art market in Malaysia[8] similar to Comiket of Japan, which consists of over 100 booths showcasing talents in the field of visual arts and illustration. Comic Fiesta also contains a wide variety of self-published comics, artbooks, posters and other merchandises available for sale.
Cosplay
[edit]Comic Fiesta hosts both solo and group cosplay competitions for e.g., Cosplay Invitational, and 60 Seconds of Anything. Participants use the chance to showcase their skills in cosplay, attracting many to attend the event also.[18]
Comic Fiesta Mini
[edit]Comic Fiesta also organizes two small CF-like events specialized for ACG enthusiasts in the north and south of Peninsular Malaysia, namely Comic Fiesta Mini Penang (stylized as CF Mini Penang) and Comic Fiesta Mini Johor (stylized as CF Mini JB, since 2018).[19]
List of Comic Fiesta events
[edit]Beginning in 2002, given below is the list of all the Comic Fiesta events annually taking place to-date:
| # | Year | Date | Location | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2002 | 14–15 December | Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, Kuala Lumpur (now known as The Kuala Lumpur And Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall) | 500[8] |
| 2 | 2003 | 6 December | Impiana Hotel, Kuala Lumpur (now known as Ancasa Hotel) | 1,000 |
| 3 | 2004 | 11–12 December | Malaysian National Visual Art Gallery (Balai Seni Visual Negara) | 3,000 |
| 4 | 2005 | 17–18 December | Sekolah Sri Sendaya, Subang Jaya (now Sekolah Sri UCSI Subang Jaya) | 3,000 |
| 5 | 2006 | 16–17 December | Sekolah Sri Sendaya, Subang Jaya (now Sekolah Sri UCSI Subang Jaya) | 3,000 |
| 6 | 2007 | 15–16 December | Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur | 5,000 |
| 7 | 2008 | 20–21 December | Sunway Convention Centre | 7,000 |
| 8 | 2009 | 19–20 December | Sunway Convention Centre | 8,000 |
| 9 | 2010 | 18–19 December | Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur | 10,000 |
| 10 | 2011 | 17–18 December | Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, KLCC | 15,000 |
| 11 | 2012 | 22–23 December | Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, KLCC | 25,000 |
| 12 | 2013 | 21–22 December | Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, KLCC | 40,000[20] |
| 13 | 2014 | 27–28 December | Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, KLCC | 49,000[5] |
| 14 | 2015 | 19–20 December | Mines International Exhibition & Convention Centre, Seri Kembangan (MIECC)[8] | 45,000[8] |
| 15 | 2016 | 17–18 December | Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur (PWTC) | 45,000[20] |
| 16 | 2017 | 16–17 December | Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, KLCC | 55,000[20] |
| 17 | 2018 | 22–23 December | Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, KLCC | 60,000[20] |
| 18 | 2019 | 21–22 December | Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, KLCC | 60,000–65,000[10] |
| # | 2020 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic[21] | ||
| 2021 | ||||
| 19 | 2022 | 17–18 December | Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, KLCC | 65,000–69,000[22] |
| 20 | 2023 | 23–24 December | Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, KLCC | 70,000[20] |
| 21 | 2024 | 21–22 December | Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, KLCC | 70,000–73,000[23] |
| 22 | 2025 | 20–21 December | Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, KLCC | 75,000[20] |
References
[edit]- ↑ "Suzuki Konomi and MYTH & ROID's Special Live Performance". www.my.emb-japan.go.jp. Embassy of Japan in Malaysia. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ Chan, Rachel Suet Kay (15 January 2018). ""Expressive Rationality": Habitus and Field in a Malaysian Cosplay Community". International Journal of Asia Pacific Studies. 14 (1): 152. doi:10.21315/ijaps2018.14.1.6. ISSN 1823-6243.
Besides this, there are conventions held in Malaysia, mostly in capital city Kuala Lumpur, which act as avenues for cosplayers to meet and display their costume-making skills and character embodiment, as well as to interact with fans. One such convention is the annually held Comic Fiesta.
- 1 2 "Comic Fiesta 2026". comicfiesta.org/cf26. 22-5-2026. Retrieved 12-9-2026.
- ↑ Yamato, Eriko (2 July 2016). "'Growing as a person': experiences at anime, comics, and games fan events in Malaysia". Journal of Youth Studies. 19 (6): 743–759. doi:10.1080/13676261.2015.1098769. ISSN 1367-6261.
Comic Fiesta organized by SAY Youth Society began with a few hundred visitors in 2002, and expanded to fill six halls in the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center with nearly 40,000 people in 2013.
- 1 2 Hodapp, James (7 April 2022). Graphic Novels and Comics as World Literature. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. ISBN 978-1-5013-7343-5.
Comic Fiesta, since its inception in 2002 (Junid and Yamato 2019), received about 49,000 participants at their event in 2014 (Yamato 2016).
- ↑ Mamat, Roslina; Mansor, Nor Shahila; Abdul Halim, Hazlina; Abd Rahim, Normaliza (1 December 2015). "Manga Dan Dojinshi Malaysia: Persamaan dan Perbezaan Ciri-Ciri Luaran Karikatur (Similarities and Differences in The External Characteristics of Manga and Dojinshi Caricatures in Malaysia)". Jurnal Komunikasi, Malaysian Journal of Communication. 31 (2): 480. doi:10.17576/jkmjc-2015-3102-27. ISSN 2289-1528.
- ↑ "New Final Fantasy XV info & tech demo revealed at Comic Fiesta 2014". Nova Crystallis. 28 December 2014. Archived from the original on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Datta, Zameen (3 November 2016). "Malaysia's biggest fiesta is here!". VOIZ asia. Archived from the original on 8 March 2026. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
- ↑ Weijun, Eu (18 December 2017). "Thousands flock to KLCC for Comic Fiesta". Free Malaysia Today | FMT. Archived from the original on 15 February 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- 1 2 Bernama (22 December 2019). "'Comic Fiesta' platform to showcase local talents". Bernama. Archived from the original on 16 December 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
- ↑ "Events 2020". Comic Fiesta. Archived from the original on 21 August 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ↑ Hakim, Luqman (16 December 2022). "Hololive EN and Hololive ID Are Coming To Malaysia This Weekend". IGN Southeast Asia. Archived from the original on 13 March 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- ↑ "HKETO Jakarta promotes Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development in Malaysia (with photos)". www.info.gov.hk. Archived from the original on 16 October 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- ↑ Tee, Kenneth (29 December 2024). "Malaysia's Comic Fiesta 2024 ends with a bang with popular Japanese artistes Suzuki Konomi, MYTH & ROID vocalist KIHOW rocking crowd". Malay Mail. Archived from the original on 7 October 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- ↑ "Sentenced to be a Hero TV Anime Gets Premiere Screening at Malaysia Comic Fiesta". Anime News Network. 8 May 2026. Archived from the original on 28 February 2026. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- ↑ "Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency sponsored industry to participate in Comic Fiesta 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (with photos)". www.info.gov.hk. Archived from the original on 14 February 2026. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- ↑ Bahrom, Shahril (24 December 2025). "Local Artist Exposes Stolen Artwork, Claims To Have Been Threatened If Post Is Not Taken Down". Archived from the original on 11 April 2026. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- ↑ Chan, Rachel Suet Kay (15 January 2018). ""Expressive Rationality": Habitus and Field in a Malaysian Cosplay Community". International Journal of Asia Pacific Studies. 14 (1): 156. doi:10.21315/ijaps2018.14.1.6. ISSN 1823-6243.
Malaysian cosplayers, as a subset of Asian cosplayers, are made up of multiethnic members of Asian descent. Attendance at a convention such as Comic Fiesta helps them acquire an audience, as well as exchanging social contacts.
- ↑ "I.O.E.A". ioea.info. Archived from the original on 8 October 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "COMIC FIESTA". COMIC FIESTA. Retrieved 12 September 2026.
- ↑ "Facebook". Facebook, Comic Fiesta Page. Retrieved 13-9-2026.
- ↑ "65 Ribu Peminat ACG Membanjiri Comic Fiesta 2022 di KLCC". Nadi Bangi UKM (in Malay). 24 December 2022. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
- ↑ "JNTO KL Joins Comic Fiesta (21-22 Dec 2024) at KLCC to Boost Japan Travel Amongst Malaysian J-culture Lovers". gayatravel.com. 19 December 2024.
External links
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