Overload (convention)
| Overload | |
|---|---|
 15th anniversary event logo in 2021, with the convention's mascot Nindoro-kun | |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | |
| Venue | The Cloud |
| Location(s) | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Inaugurated | 2006 |
| Attendance | 8000+ in 2024[1] |
| Organized by | Overload Committee |
| Website | overload |
Overload, also known as Overload NZ (formerly Doujin Overload), is an annual two-day anime convention focusing on doujin, Japanese pop culture, exhibitors and artists held in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the first of its kind to run in New Zealand, and is considered the country's biggest anime and manga-focused convention.[2][3] Overload is regularly hosted at The Cloud, and acquired additional use of Shed 10 on Queen's Wharf starting in 2024.
Origins[edit]
Overload (the Doujin Overload) was set up based on conversations in the Auckland doujin community about helping local artists showcase and sell their work, specifically inspired by the Comiket in Japan.[4]
Programming[edit]
Overload previously ran as a single-day event every year apart from 2011 when it took place over two days. In 2023, the convention became an annual two-day event. Aside from the sale of artists' work, it includes a comic competition (since 2012), an art exhibition (since 2012) and cosplay competition (since 2010).
History[edit]
The conference has become more diverse over the years, such as with the dropping of 'Doujin' from the convention name and focus on wider comic work from 2011 on,[5] and with events in recent years such as the 2011 Game Development panel,[6] and the 2012 art exhibition at Unitec Snow White Gallery of Japanese anime artist Fuzichoco.[7][8] The event is notable for early support of cos-players from 2008 on.[9] In 2011, former World Cosplay Champion Yuri Inaba was an invited participant of Overload.[10]
Event History[edit]
| Year | Dates | Venue | Attendance | Featured Artists & Guests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 9 July | Mercure Hotel | 150[7] | Ethird (Simon Kao) |
| 2007[11] | 8 July | The Hyatt Auckland | Jianran Pan & W.L.Wong | |
| 2008 | 8 July | Ethird (Simon Kao) | ||
| 2009 | 26 July | Mercure Hotel | Paolo Alinea | |
| 2010 | 25 July | The Hyatt Auckland | 1000[7] | Jeremiah W. & Anthony Lau |
| 2011 | 26–27 July | 800 | Eddie & SnowWaltz | |
| 2012 | 22 September | The Pullman Hotel | 600 | Fuzichoco |
| 2013 | 28 September | ASB Stadium | 1600 (approx)[12] | Range Murata[13][14] |
| 2014 | 4 October | 2000 (approx)[15] | Yoshitoshi ABe | |
| 2015 | 26 September | Noizi Ito, Yuegene Fay | ||
| 2016 | 24 September | The Cloud | Yun Kōga, Reika (cosplay), A.K.Wirru | |
| 2017 | 30 September | Takuya Satō, Marina Kawano, Ying Tze (cosplay) | ||
| 2018 | 24 September | Hiromi Igarashi, Seiji Mizushima, KANAME (cosplay) | ||
| 2019 | 28 September | Junji Ito, Kurumi Purarine | ||
| 2021 | 24 April | Hiroyuki Asada, Alisa, Guillaume Devigne (Crypton Future Media) | ||
| 2022 | 8 October | Ai Kakuma, Hiroyuki Asada | ||
| 2023 | 15-16 April | Masahiko Otsuka and Hiroyuki Imaishi (Studio Trigger), Namihei Koshige, Vye (cosplay), CyYu | ||
| 2024 | 20-21 April | 8000+[16] | Paru Itagaki, Setsuo Itō, SUOL, Shinnosuke Uchida, Thames (cosplay) |
External links[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ @pixiv_en (26 April 2024). "pixiv English on X: "Huge thanks for letting us feature your art at the pixiv..." (Tweet). Retrieved 27 April 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Overload: About". Website. Overload.
- ^ "Overload NZ - Can we get a hell yeah for NZ's biggest anime and..." Facebook. Overload NZ.
- ^ "Overload: History". Website. Overload. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
- ^ Davies, Johanna (15 July 2011). "Drawn in". NZ Herald. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
- ^ "Gaming Panel". Article. NZ Gamer. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
- ^ a b c "Art Exhibition". Article. Overload.
- ^ "藤色 fuzishiki – Fuzichoco". Unitec New Zealand. Archived from the original on 22 September 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
- ^ Tan, Lincoln (15 July 2008). "'Cosplayers' craze grows". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
- ^ 작성자 (15 July 2011). "오버로드(Overload) 2011 행사 2009년 세계 코스프레 챔피온 유리 이나바 참가". Archived from the original on 22 September 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
- ^ "What's On: NZ Herald". Website. New Zealand Herald. 5 July 2007. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
- ^ "Sponsorship information". Overload. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
- ^ "Range Murata to Attend Overload NZ 2013 as Special Guest". Anime News Network. 20 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
- ^ "进击的漫展！overload漫展9月28日再次引爆奥克兰". 20 August 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
- ^ "About Overload". Overload. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
- ^ @pixiv_en (26 April 2024). "pixiv English on X: "Huge thanks for letting us feature your art at the pixiv..." (Tweet). Retrieved 27 April 2024 – via Twitter.