I consider myself a normal anime fan, which I guess means I just watch anime, and maybe read the manga if the anime ends without a conclusion. I’ve been doing that for almost 20 years since I discovered Neo Genesis Evangelion. But at Anime Festival Asia 2024, I was blown away yet again by how big of a deal anime really is.
Of course, it’s not the first time I’ve been to AFA, but I was struck at how insanely popular it’s become. The place was crazy packed, filled with cosplayers with insanely detailed outfits, as well as normies like me from all walks of life. I saw couples, old people, parents with kids — basically anyone you could expect. It was at times, impossible to walk around, given how crowded it was.
