A sorceress, two Power Rangers, a Peter Pan Fire Lord, a lycan (ie. werewolf), pop idols, and a legendary comic book creator are coming to TOYCON POPLIFE FanXperience 2018 on June 8-10, 2018 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.
The Philippine TOYCON, Asiaโs longest-running culture convention for toys, collectibles, and various pop culture fandoms, announced the latest line up of guests for this yearโs highly-anticipated event.
Leading the list is comic book industry Hall of Famer Neal Adams, whose reinvention of Batmanโs look to the blue-and-gray color scheme highlights his work and influence during the 1960s and 1970s, aside from creating Batman villains Raโs al Ghul and Man-Bat, and revitalized other titles such as Green Lantern, Green Arrow, and X-Men.
Performing before the TOYCON crowd would be APL.DE.AP, South Korean singer-songwriter Hyolyn, and Japanese pop idol group KissBee. Popularly known as a member of Grammy Award-winning group The Black Eyed Peas, APL.
DE.AP would be performing with Janice Javierto raise awareness for their “We Can Be Anything” advocacy campaign.
Hyolyn is best known as the former leader and member of popular and award-winning KPop girl group Sistar, and is currently pursuing a solo music career. KissBee has been active in the Japanese pop scene since 2014, and will perform songs from their second album Pop Honeycomb which they released last May.
Kelly Hu starred in blockbuster films such as Sorceress Cassandra in The Scorpion King, and as the villain Lady Deathstrike in X-Men 2. She also appeared in the popular TV series The Vampire Diaries and Arrow.ย Kelly also did voice acting for animated series Phineas and Ferb, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and in video games such as Mortal Combat X and Batman: Arkham Origins.
Filipino-American actor Dante Basco is popularly known for playing Peter Panโs sidekick Rufio in the 1991 movie Hook alongside Robin Williams. He is also the voice actor for the fire-bender Zuko in Nickelodeonโs Avatar: The Last Airbender, Jake Long in Disneyโs American Dragon: Jake Long cartoon series, as well as various video game characters.
Two actors from the Power Rangers franchise will share the TOYCON 2018 stage. Jason David Frank played the Green Ranger and the White Ranger in the 1993-1996 Mighty Morphinโ Power Rangers series and its other iterations over the years. Michael Coponโs breakout role was playing the Blue Ranger in last yearโs Power Rangers: Time Force movie, but he was also known for his roles in the TV series One Tree Hill.
Kevin Grevioux is best known for his role as the lycan Raze who fought against vampires in the Underworld film series, which he also co-created and co-wrote. He also appeared in films such as Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes remake, The Mask, and Steel.
According to Cholo Mallillin, Event Marketing Head for TOYCON PH, this yearโs event aims to give Filipino pop culture fans a playground experience with a community that shares their common interests.
โWhat we want to give TOYCON fans every year is a sense of belonging with various fan communities. We bring in guests and experiences that bring fans back to why they collect toys, cosplay, read comics, or rewatch their favorite TV series or movies in the first place,โ Mallillin said.
Mallillin added that more guests and attractions will be announced in the coming days and even on the opening day itself.
Among the other attractions in TOYCON 2018 is โSikat Ka Toy!,โย the Philippineโs first ever toy design contest. Artists and toy aficionados can submit their designs for a chance to receive more than Php 30,000 worth of prizes and the opportunity to have their winning toy design produced for limited sale.
Other attractions for this year include toy exclusives from the popular Funko toy line, as well as toy exhibits and launches from global designers, Anatoy from South Korea, Coarse from the USA, Deewy from Malaysia, Playhouse from Thailand, and Hidden Fortress Manila featuring the works of premier Pinoy toy designer Quiccs Maiquez.
TOYCON POPLIFE FanXperience 2018 regular day passes and FanX VIP Experience passes are available in all SM Ticket outlets or through www.toyconph.com.