Say goodbye to the Akiba Stage and say hello to the Next Stage! A new, refreshing experience awaits fans at Anime Festival Asia 2025 Singapore, inviting you to celebrate the latest trends in anime, gaming, and pop culture.
Instead of a conventional stage layout, the Next Stage adopts a 360 layout for fans to immerse and engage vibrantly over three days of regional performances.
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A launchpad for new creators, innovative content, and “the next big thing that fans will be talking about,” it is sponsored by Dwango, a Japanese telecommunications and media company based in Japan, Koh-Kae, a Thai brand of nut snack, and the organizers of AFA itself, Sozo.
Artistes performing on Next Stage who you won’t want to miss
A key highlight of Next Stage is its Cho-Bon Dance Japan powered by Dwango, an interactive circle of celebration connecting hearts, harmony, and moments together.
Inspired by the Bon Odori, a traditional Japanese dance ritual during bon festival, AFA is giving it a modern twist, where music, cosplay, and glowing lights bring Japan’s festive spirit to life.
| NEXT STAGE PERFORMERS AT AFA 2025 | WHO ARE THEY |
| Takafuji Ukon | A dancer and choreographer, he is the second-generation head of the Takafuji school of dance, which has a history of approximately 100 years. |
| DJ Mr.AKIHABARA SASAKICHI | Mr. AKIHABARA SASAKICH produces events centered in Akihabara, as well as regional revitalization events and international events. |
| Takafuji Tomomitsu | Dubbed “The Oiran from Asakusa,” she is a specialist in the art of Oiran performance. |
| Asami | A multi-talented performer, illustrator, belly dancer, and Bon Odori performer. |
| LAM | LAM is an illustrator from Japan whose cool and catchy style has become immensely popular. His live drawing session will give you a behind-the-scenes look at his art process. |
| Suupeas | Suupeas is a Japanese two-member music unit known for their “nap-style” concept that blends dreamy pop-rock with Vocaloid-inspired sounds. They are the AFA 2025 official theme song artiste. |
| Starkids | Starkids is a six-member music collective from Tokyo that fuses eurobeat, hyperpop, EDM, and trap into a vibrant, futuristic sound. Guided by their motto “Forever Stars, Forever Kids,” the group embodies youthful energy and a drive to shine on the global stage. |
| Milky Spot cosplayers | Kurumi and Nyaromenia are performing on Saturday and Sunday. |
The Akiba Stage was intended to bring the heart of Akihabara to Anime Festival Asia, celebrating the vibrant fan culture that defines Japan’s pop scene. The free-access stage had featured many anisong performances, dance covers, cosplay skits, and fan-led showcases over the years, offering a platform for community talents and rising creators to shine.
Anime Festival Asia 2025 takes place from November 28, 2025 (Friday) to November 30, 2025 (Sunday) at the Suntec City Convention and Exhibition Centre in Singapore. Get your tickets here.
