May is the start of a mayamada comic convention tour where we’ll be travelling across the UK and in the US too!
Check out our tour dates below and book your tickets to see us at a convention near you.
Top 5 Cosplay From London Super Comic Con
After a break from comic conventions over December and January, we had two in February. Just like buses, wait for ages and two come along almost at once!
It’s great for us though. We got to showcase our latest manga Hot Lunch at the London Anime & Gaming Con as well as hold two talks on stage on each day of the event. Public speaking can be nerve-wracking, but when we get to talk about the mayamada universe, creating stories and comics we jump at the chance.
After LAGC, we exhibited at the London Super Comic Con for the first time and meet a whole host of great artists, old friends, and fantastic cosplayers…
#BeCreative Campaign Launch
At mayamada, we passionately believe in the power of creativity to make the world a more productive, engaging, and fun place to be. That belief was the motivation behind our #BeCreative campaign that launched this month.
A Return To London Comic Con
Last month saw mayamada return to the MCM London Comic Convention, the largest comic convention in the UK and a three day pop culture extravaganza in East London.
Comics + Amiibo Prizes At GamePad!
GamePad! is going up a level in the lead up to London Comic Con! We’re coming back to the Petit Miracle Hub for the fourth edition of GamePad! on Saturday October 17th.
GamePad: Gaming + Froyo Event
We’re back!
On Saturday 20th June, we’re hosting the second GamePad! event at West 12 Shopping Centre in Sheperd’s Bush. This will also be the official pre-party of the London Anime & Gaming Convention in July so grab your free tickets now!
You can look forward to another great day calling gamers, sweet tooths and everyone in between to join us for some fun with gaming and froyo.
Missed the first GamePad! event? DOn’t worry because captured the best moment on film so you know what to expect this time around.
Frozen yogurt at GamePad
Just in time for the summer, frozen yogurt will be available and we also have a tasty surprise for you. Find one of the three frozen yogurt cups with the mayamada logo inside and you’ll win a prize from us.
Cosplayers and competitions
The cosplay competiton will be back on June 20th. Come well dressed because the best cosplayer will get tickets to the London Anime & Gaming Convention, July 4th and 5th.
We will also be running a gaming competition for a chance to become a character in a future mayamada comic! Get your game on and get yourself (or a pet) featured in one our comics in 2015.
On top of all that you will also be able to get your hands on our range of anime inspired clothings and comics. Stay tuned for more details on that and everything else going down on Saturday June 20th!
GamePad! Gaming + Music Event Recap
It’s been a long while since the last mayamada event so we couldn’t wait to get our latest event, GamePad!, up and running.
Things got off to a great start as the crowd rolled into the Petit Miracle Hub in West 12 Shopping Centre…free cupcakes might have had something to do with that!
It was a cosplay takeover as Animeleague made a big showing at GamePad! and the building was packed full of amazing characters.
There were enough cosplayers to hold our own cosplay contest, and we did just that with tickets to London Anime & Gaming Con up for grabs.
We had cosplayers from Marvel, Pokemon and Dragonball universes. After the voting was done, Tabitha (aka Demorafairy Cosplay) was crowned the winner with her Espeon cosplay.
A big part of GamePad! is the games and we had three screens running Mario Kart, House of the Dead and Super Smash Bros throughout the day.
Special guest Shaodow came, saw and conquered as he took out the competition and team mayamada to win the Super Smash Bros tournament. As well as Samurai Chef chocolate and a logo snapback cap, he also won tickets to StreetFest 2015!
It wasn’t just video games, no-tech gaming was just as fun with things getting very competitive on giant Jenga.
It was a great day and this was just the start…GamePad! will be back in June so stay tuned to find out the date of the next mayamada gaming and music event.
MCM Expo Birmingham
Last month we took a trip up north (well, north-ish) for our first visit to the MCM Expo at the NEC Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. After a great time at London Anime & Gaming Con, we were excited to get our second convention of the year off and running.
We set up in the Comic Village and manage to cover our table with regular and limited edition of the Samurai Chef manga as well as our new Samurai Chef chocolate bars.
It’s been a while since we’ve been to an MCM event, but we were quickly up to speed once we got our bearings.
There is so much to see at MCM. We only got to see a fraction of it from our stall, but we were treated to Robot Wars matches going on just behind the Comic Village – we loved watching that show!
We also got to meet up with some great exhibitors including Canime, Helenasia and Choizilla, who had one of the best presented tables in the Comic Village and a cool outfit too.
As always it’s about the cosplay and we saw a tons of great outfits over the two days of MCM Expo.
Even the security guards were getting into it…
So that’s two events down and many more to go in 2015. Not only conventions like Hyper Japan and London Comic Con, but we’ll also have our very own mayamada events starting with GamePad! in April.
Stay tuned to find out where to catch us after that one…
Hyper Japan Christmas Recap
It’s been a week since Hyper Japan Christmas and we’ve just about recovered from an intense weekend! It was a great three days and although we didn’t get to take in all of the show (downside of being an exhibitor), we did get to see a lot and meet a lot of great people.
A big THANK YOU to everyone that stopped by the mayamada stall and check out or line of original anime clothing & comics. Especially everyone that picked up a copy of the new Samurai Chef manga book. It was brand new for the show and got a fantastic reception.
Expect to see us at more expos in 2015, we can’t wait. And until the next Hyper Japan, you can always reminisce with our photos taken at the event.
See you next year!
Who To See At Hyper Japan
We had such a good response to our “Who To See At Hyper Japan” feature that we’ve put together a second part. We’ll be at Hyper Japan Christmas Market from Friday November 14th to Sunday November 16th and have been speaking to a selection of exhibitors also showcasing their brands at the event. It all takes place at Kensington Olympia National Hall in seven days time!
So as well as the mayamada stall, be sure to visit these great exhibitors over the Hyper Japan weekend:
Roxie Sweetheart
Who are you and what do you do?
I make and sell cute & kawaii designs on a variety of clothing, jewellery and accessories.
Why should people come to Hyper Japan?
It’s the best event if you want to experience or learn more about J-Culture, especially fashion.
I will be seeing Siro-A and the Fashion Show for sure!
What will you be doing at your stall?
I will be on my stand selling a variety of unique and handmade products including cropped tees, printed leggings, dresses, skirts and jewellery & accessories to suit both your kawaii and creepy cute needs!
I will also be bringing some new items, sweaters printed with the Melty Castle and Gothic Fairytale prints.
What’s the best thing about Hyper Japan?
It’s dedicated to J-Culture and they always have a really good mix of interesting guests and shows.
Twitter:Â @roxiesweetheart
Instagram: @roxiesweetheart
Facebook:Â /roxiesweetheart
Aid For Japan
Who are you and what do you do?
I am Akemi Solloway, founder of Aid For Japan: the charity to support orphans of the Tsunami and Earthquake in Japan. I also teach Japanese language and culture.
Why should people come to Hyper Japan?
To enjoy Japanese culture. Please support our charity.
What will you be doing at your stall?
Akemi will be doing calligraphy and writing people’s name in Japanese (Kanji) as well as teaching the meaning of your name. In addition to that we will be teaching people how to draw Manga, demonstrating Origami and Maiko will also be doing Japanese head massages.
What’s the best thing about Hyper Japan?
We can meet Japan fans. It is good to be together.
Facebook:Â /AidForJapan
Kikuya Kanzashi
Who are you and what do you do?
Kikuya Kanzashi designs and makes Japanese tsumami kanzashi hair ornaments inspired by those worn by the maiko and geiko of Kyoto, Japan.
We create a range of handmade kanzashi designs from traditional to modern as well as bespoke custom-made pieces.
Why should people come to Hyper Japan?
It’s a fun event celebrating a wide range of Japanese culture. There’s something for everyone!
What will you be doing at your stall?
We will be selling our range of kanzashi hair ornaments, perfect for Christmas gifts or as something special to wear during the party season.
We are also excited to be launching our new brand “Fugu Jam”, a contemporary clothing label inspired by Japan.
What’s the best thing about Hyper Japan?
Meeting people who are also passionate about Japan and Japanese culture. It is also great to meet the other stall holders, there is a lot of creative talent out there!
Twitter:Â @KikuyaKanzashi
Facebook:Â /kanzashi.uk
United Publications
Who are you and what do you do?
Publisher and retailer, selling translated Manga & Anime DVDs.
Why should people come to Hyper Japan?
An experience. Wide selection of things to see and do relating to Japan. You are likely to find you already have something produced in Japan and will find more of interest.
What will you be doing at your stall?
We will be promoting UK releases of DVD & Blu-Ray Anime.
And have wide selections of Manga & Anime titles from around the world.
What’s the best thing about Hyper Japan?
Hyper Japan able to contact a lot more Japanese companies who are interested in expanding their market to include UK customers.
Sam Sake
Who are you and what do you do?
Sam Sake is a London-based importer, distributor and retailer of finest quality sake from Akita & Niigata Prefectures, Japan.
Why should people come to Hyper Japan?
This the best Japanese Cultural event in UK, offering great variety of experiences and original flavours, bringing full spectrum of Japanese culture closer to UK .
What will you be doing at your stall?
For the second time this year our Sam sake Tasting Club will return to Hyper Japan. Our bespoke build bar will provide sake enthusiast with great range of sake available for both purchase and on site consumption.
We will entertain our visitors with Warm sake Hugs (sake + smoked fish) , Akita Chill experience (cold sake) and Plum Kiss (Umeshu).
We will offer opportunity to sample before purchasing any of the bottles. We are also happy to educate and advice about sake.
What’s the best thing about Hyper Japan?
As an exhibitor it is a direct opportunity to reach UK sake enthusiasts and bring them closer to delicious sake from Akita and Niigata Prefectures.
Twitter:Â @samsake
Facebook:Â Sam Sake
Meow Box
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Keynes, a dietitian who loves all things cute and sweet. I enjoy making jewellery and they are mostly miniature food themed.
Chateau de Meow is a collaboration with the talented Charlene who is behind Chateau de Gateaux; featuring a collection of handmade vintage inspired romantic flower accessories.
Why should people come to Hyper Japan?
One of a kind Japanese cultural show and amazing shopping opportunities. There’s something for suit everyone!
What will you be doing at your stall?
We will be selling our gorgeous handmade items and featuring some one-off pieces. Be sure to visit our table for some pretty Japanese fashion pieces.
What’s the best thing about Hyper Japan?
Everything Japanese you could ever wish for under one roof. Food, fashion, culture and lifestyle.
Twitter:Â @meowboxjewelry
Instagram:Â @meow425
Keiko Uchida
Who are you and what do you do?
I came from Japan, from a childhood heavily influenced by design: my mother is a long experienced kimono stylist in her mid ’70s now and my late grandfather and father were celebrated tearoom designers.
We produce our own branded products, which is a fusion of traditional Japanese and modern European aesthetics.
Why should people come to Hyper Japan?
It’s fun and delicious. It is far to go to Japan, but you can enjoy 100% Japan at Hyper Japan in London!
What will you be doing at your stall?
We are selling our Christmas gift collection at Hyper Japan. Kimono dressing gown, Kimono gift set etc.
We do a special 20% off promotion of Kimono dressing gown at Hyper Japan! If you are looking for a special present, you cannot miss our stand!
What’s the best thing about Hyper Japan?
I will see many people, who are interested in Japan and Japanese culture, which means a lot to me as a Japanese, who lives in London for a while.
Twitter: @KeikoUchidaUK
Facebook: /KeikoUchidaUK
Pinterest:Â keikouchida