It’s that time of year again when MCM Comic Con hits London for the first time this year. MCM Comic Con is undoubtedly the largest convention in the UK, bringing together a whole nation of geekiness that ranges from comics, games, anime and manga – all under one giant roof or asylum, your choice. MCM Comic Con London is this weekend 27th – 29th May at the ExCel Centre, Royal Victoria Dock.
The event will play host to a huge amount of stalls and companies, offering you their latest wares and hopefully a bargain or two. Con goers can enjoy a range of interactive booths, trying out the latest game demo’s or settling down to watch one of the many panels, Vidfest UK and MCM Fringe Festival. If that’s not enough then there’s always the amazing special guests who are available for signing and photo sessions, you may even get to meet some just walking around the event!.
Special Guests
A full list of guests attending the event can be found here, but here’s a few to peek your interest:
Panels
What would a convention be without companies releasing important announcements and special guests taking to the stage, well here are just a sample of what we’re excited for:
Friday:
17:00 – Anime Unlimited #1 (Platinum Upper)
Saturday:
11:00 – Gundam The Origin III + Anime Guest of Honour Panel (Platinum Upper)
14:00 – All Access Arias (Platinum Lower)
15:00 – Animatsu Entertains (Bronze)
17:00 World Cosplay Qualifiers! (Gold)
Sunday:
11:00 – Anime Unlimited #2 – (Platinum Upper)
15:00 – Cosplay, Cons and Culture – (Platinum Lower)
Live Performances
If panels aren’t enough to satisfy you then these awesome bands brought to us by JPU Records are sure to blow your mind. Here’s the full schedule for Amatsuki and BAND-MAID throughout the weekend, they will be performing and doing signing sessions everyday:
Friday Schedule:
17:00 – Amatsuki and BAND-MAID panel: POP ASIA STAGE
17:45 – Amatsuki and BAND-MAID signing session: JPU Records booth.
Saturday Schedule:
12:00-13:00 – Amatsuki and BAND-MAID signing session: JPU Records Booth
13:30 – Amatsuki and BAND-MAID panel: POP ASIA STAGE
15:00 – Amatsuki live performance: FRINGE STAGE (outside)
15:30 – BAND-MAID live performance: FRINGE STAGE (outside)
16:00 – Amatsuki and BAND-MAID signing session: JPU Records Booth
Saturdat After Show Party (additional ticket required, http://www.mcmexpostore.com/collections/london-comic-con/products/mcm-party-london-comic-con-may-2016):
PLATINUM SUITE:
21:00 – Amatsuki live performance
22:00 – BAND-MAID live performance
Sunday Schedule:
11:00-12:00 – Amatsuki and BAND-MAID signing session: JPU Records Booth
12:30 – Amatsuki and BAND-MAID panel: POP ASIA STAGE
14:00 – Amatsuki live performance: FRINGE STAGE (outside)
14:30 – BAND-MAID live performance: FRINGE STAGE (outside)
15:00 – Amatsuki and BAND-MAID signing session: JPU Records Booth
A full list of panels along with a guide to the entire event can be found in the MCM Comic Con London ebook for May.
Dealer Stalls
The main meat of any convention – merchandise, with hundreds of dealers on hand it might be a little overwhelming when deciding where to go, we have a few places that you should definitely check out:
Gundam The Origin III
In October of last year there was an event called MCM Loves Anime, run by All the Anime, that took place at the Crystal, a stone’s throw from the ExCel. It was separate event to MCM Comic Con and required the purchase of a ticket to see the four anime movies that they would be screening. Gundam The Origin I and II were screened at this event and while MCM Loves Anime won’t be returning this May but Gundam The Origin III will be screened inside the main event as part of the Anime Guest of Honour on the Saturday.
Plenty to see then and this is only a snippet of what’s to come over the weekend – so hands up, who’s excited? Of course members of the Japan Curiosity team will be in attendance, so you may very well be snapped up by one of our photographers over the weekend! We’ll be updating Facebook and Twitter as we go, so make sure you’re following us!