SMASH! Convention 2025: A Weekend to Remember in Sydney 🎉

Sydney’s biggest anime & Japanese pop‑culture event, SMASH! Convention 2025, was held at ICC Sydney over Friday, July 11 to Sunday, July 13. With ticket sales sold out in advance and over 40,000 fans in attendance, the convention is for sure the largest anime pop‑culture event in Australia

🌟 Event Highlights & Picks

1. Cosplay Extravaganza

• The Illustris Models Cosplay Competition ran two tiers (Novice and Advanced) along with Open Skit entries, spotlighting needlework, fabrication, stage presence, and sustainable cosplay practices

• Cosplayers transformed into beloved characters, filled the Cosplay Catwalk, and engaged in stamp rally adventures across the venue 

• The iconic mascots Cyrus and Skadi were joined by a new whimsical mascot, “Scrampton” the giant frog, reflecting the event’s Fantasy Camping theme.

2. Star-Studded Guests & Panels

• International talents such as voice actress Aimi, illustrator Hokuyuu, and VTuber Virtulantes held masterclasses, autograph signings, and stage talks 

• Workshops spanned calligraphy, origami, model kit construction, DJ trivia, and even a Maid Café—ensuring there was something for every fan .

3. Gaming, Music, & Community Buzz

• The event featured gaming zones, anime-DJ sets, and vibrant community group meet‑ups .

• Trivia, art battles, and the Fan Faves competition added an engaging social twist 

4. Artist Market & Exhibitors

• Over 200 booths – from fan artists to merch stalls and brand activations – offered prints, figures, model kits, and themed experiences (e.g., Bandai model kit build booths).Of course we were there at booth #240 at the exhibitor floor displaying our ita bags and now famous pleated skirts. 

• Check out any food and drink specials in Darling Square (like cheesecake + stout combos, Toastiesmith deals for cosplayers) created a lively festival vibe. Dopa Donburi had a buy one get one free deal, which was not only delicious, it helped us saving some money to later spend at the artist alley 
  

🗣️ What Cosplayers Are Saying

Many attendees have taken to social media to share rave reviews:

“Cosplay community was 🔥 – saw everything from epic armour builds to hilarious group skits.”
“The Aimi panel was a major highlight – so chill, so interactive!”
“Loved the trivia zones—super tight competition, prizes were great!”

These sentiments echo the glowing coverage by SBS and Concrete Playground, celebrating SMASH! 2025’s vibrancy, diversity, and full attendance 

📝 What You Can Do at SMASH!

If you're gearing up for SMASH! 2026 or just curious, here’s a curated guide to make the most of the weekend:

👘 Cosplay & Competition

• Enter cosplay tiers or skit competitions—great rewards and exposure! At Otaku-Taco we gave away 6 x $50 gift vouchers in collaboration with SMASH 

• Visit the Cosplay Repair station and Catwalk area for full cosplay immersion.

🎨 Learn & Create

• Attend workshops in origami, calligraphy, model building, or learn from top illustrators.

• Dive into the Artist Market to support local creators or start your own stall.

🎮 Game, DJ & Trivia

• Compete in gaming free-play zones and test your anime lore in trivia battles.

• Enjoy live DJ sets featuring anime themes—dance, watch, vibe.

🛍️ Shops & Sips

• Explore hundreds of stalls for figures, kits, prints, merch, and fan made works.

• Head into Darling Square for foodie deals—cosplayer discounts make it even sweeter.

🎤 Panels & Cosplay Walk

• Don’t miss voice actor chats, VTuber appearances, and creative panel discussions. We were right next to the panel stage and had lots of fun hearing the panelists including Erica Mendez and Baby beard. There was a hilarious game of 'Smash or pass' featuring characters such as Zoro and Gojo 

• Cosplay Catwalk is perfect for photo ops and spotting standout designs.

📅 Dates & Insider Tips

• Get the Smash app if you attend next year, there's lot to do over the weekend so make sure you know what's happening and can prioritise your favourite activities 

✅ Final Take & Looking Ahead

SMASH! 2025 not only showcased stellar cosplay, exclusive guests, and creative workshops—it succeeded in delivering a community-focused, immersive cultural celebration. With record attendance, innovative competitions, and unified fan spirit, SMASH! continues to grow as a must-attend event for anime enthusiasts 🌟.

Planning to go in 2026?

• Watch for ticket drops early

• Follow official channels for guest announcements & app updates

• Brush up your cosplay and consider signing up for competitions

• Check out workshops and trivia zones in advance

• Check out our socials at TT and insta @otaku.taco.store for more information leading up to the event. In 2025 we were Smash con sponsors so chances are that next year we will be doing so again.