Dates: May 23-25, 2025, number of visitors: unique 14600, turnstile 40000
Animefest 2025 was 20th year and was held at the Brno Exhibition Ground (halls Rotunda, A1, A2 and E), with new hall B for main stage. We have expanded successful parts from previous year and so Fashion Corner changed to Fashion Alley, Japan Stage was expanded and new Manga Stage was introduced. There was huge interest in Artist Alley, from 200 applications, 90 independent artists were selected to participate. Animefest included over 70 food stalls with selection of Asian specialties.
New main stage was also concert stage with performances by Japanese singer Mion, South Korean band Sinnoi, Japanese pop-rock band Seven Oops, and Japanese singer Nana Kitade. Valued guest of the Fashion Alley was Japanese designer brand Atelier Pierrot. Manga Stage welcomed comics author Karla Diaz (Chile), cosplay guests included for example Bellatrix Aiden (Ukraine), Erza (Germany), or Wynter Phoenix (Switzerland).
For second year, Animefest was part of World Cosplay Summit (Czechia was represented by Kate+Tery), and again hosted selection for Extreme Cosplay Gathering (selected representant is Jules) and international contest Tournament of Champions (selected representant is Riviiall cosplay). Newly introduced contest K-Pop Dance Off was qualifier for European K-POP Dance Fight Fest where Czechia will be represented by dance group Lyra&Polaris.
Animefest 2025 was organized under the auspices of the Embassy of Japan in Czech Republic, governor of South Moravian Region Mgr. Jan Grolich, deputy governor Mgr. František Lukl, MPA, and the Mayor of Brno JUDr. Markéta Vaňková. Korean programs were supported bythe Embasssy of the Republic of Korea in the Czech Republic. Animefest was financially supported by the city of Brno, South Moravian Region, and Japan Foundation. Our main partners are Comfor, Smsticket and Expo Brno. We also want to thank many more partners who supported us.
