Subsequent queuing experiences were much more reasonable-perhaps fewer people were eating on site? Either way, the cooks certainly had their work cut out for them, yet managed to keep a cheery attitude all the while. And to be fair, there was plenty to see and listen to while we waited: in addition to abounding cosplayers, the Festival Stage, the smaller of the two performance areas, was right in the thick of the food area. Let’s just say I got to know some lovely Italians very well indeed in the food queue that first day: we spent over an hour together, all told!īut it was worth the wait when that fresh ebi fry was served up in my wooden bowl. Admittedly, the range of offerings was somewhat on the slim side considering the masses of people they were meant to cater for throughout the weekend. All the food stalls were set up outside, where they presented a decent range of Japanese cuisine, from okonomiyaki to vegetarian and meat-based rice bowls, to that staple of anime, curry. In search of Evolution…Įvolution, the festival site itself, is somewhat tucked away with stretches of shrubs and trees lending it a sense of privacy. The excitement was palpable, and the mood celebratory. Indeed, on the second day, this sense of community extended even beyond the park to the neighboring environs, as cosplayers filled the Sainsbury’s Local and spilled out of nearby rail stations and onto the streets. (Apparently, it’s been in less suitable locations over the years, so well done Planning Team ’22!) Holding the event in Battersea Park meant that attendees had to wander for about ten minutes or so through the gardens, trees, and stretches of waterfront on the way to the site, all the while letting those slice-of-life vibes soak in a little alongside the sunshine (miraculously, we had stunning weather for the entire three days!).Īlong the way, the sense of community mounted with each branching off of the path, as those drawn to the park in pursuit of other entertainments-dog walkers, joggers, canoodling couples-gradually sluiced off, leaving only those bound for HyperJapan. We can’t talk about HyperJapan without first singing the praises of whoever decided to hold it at Evolution, an events space smack dab in the middle of one of London’s largest parks, right on the Southern bank of the River Thames. So with that basic map in mind, ikimasho! Let’s get going! Yep, this is definitely the right place! The Out of Doors Experience The festival played out in three main areas: the Festival Stage and food stalls outside, the Exhibition Hall and Fringe area, and the Main Stage indoors, in the back right-hand corner of the hall. So for someone like me, who is equal parts history weeb and anime fan, it was a dream come true.
WAY OF THE SAMURAI 1 COVER ART SERIES
And see them you will! Along with a great many other cultural delights that may be familiar to you only through such series as Barakamon, Those Snow White Notes, Laid-Back Camp, or the gamut of martial arts and samurai series that air every season. That is to say, you’re as likely to see people sporting kimono as cosplay at HyperJapan. I’m talking about the Hyper Japan Festival, of course! Going strong since 2010, this annual celebration of Japanese culture is the biggest of its kind in the UK and is a definite highlight of the year for fans of all things otaku and the traditional arts too. For three days in late July, Battersea Park in London England was taken over by Japan.
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