THE world of anime and manga came alive for a group of students recently during the Cosplay (costume play), Comic, Anime and Games Convention (C2AGE) organised by the HELP University College Matriculation Centre (HMC) student council.  

The event saw more than 170 people with a keen interest in anime gathering at HMC.  

?We want to encourage a holistic approach in our education at HMC.  

?By organising activities like this, we hope to help students nurture both creativity and critical thinking skills?, said HMC head Dhanesh Balakrishnan during the launch.  

HELP University College president Dr Paul Chan giving cosplay the thumbs-up as he joins in the fun.

The idea for the convention came from a group of HMC students.  

?It?s a refreshing break from studying all the time,? said C2AGE vice-president Teri Wong Pei Jin, who has been interested in anime since Form Three.  

?I really enjoy dressing up as a character. Some people dress up to get attention while others do it as a token of admiration for a character.  

?We are not punks or rebels. Cosplaying is very popular in many Asian countries. Malaysia is lagging behind,? said Teri.  

Participants at the event also enjoyed browsing through various booths offering on-the-spot art commissions, doujinshi (fan-made comics) and artbooks.  

They also enjoyed watching anime music videos (AMVs) such as Combat Butler Hayate.  

The emcees kept everyone entertained with their witty repartees while cosplayers (featuring characters such as L from Death Note and Orochimaru from Naruto) did a great job of holding the crowd enthralled. 

The highlight was Cosplay chess, played by using real people as chess pieces.  

The purpose of cosplay chess was not to win but to play in such a way that every cosplayer gets a chance to display his special characteristics in battle. 

The event was a great success and provided the chance for enthusiasts to participate in a new experience.