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Alobo Ayemi and Khumjongla Thongtsar
DIMAPUR — The two-day Genki Fest 2024 held at CT Square in Chümoukedima witnessed series of competitions transforming the venue into a lively hub of Japanese pop culture. The event was organised by OWN-KNEE-CHAN in collaboration with Nagaland Anime Junkies (NAJ) from Kohima.
The festival, eagerly awaited by fans and enthusiasts, brought together a diverse crowd, all united by their passion for anime, manga, gaming, and many more.
On the concluding day, attendees were greeted by a kaleidoscope of colorful costumes and infectious energy.
The cosplayers dressed meticulously as their favorite characters, filled the festival grounds, showcasing their creativity and dedication.
‘The whole purpose of Genki was to showcase our brand OWN-KNEE-CHAN, and I started this because there is a market for the Anime Otaku trend. So we wanted to capitalise our market not just here but across the country and also globally,’ Jungshi Jamir, who runs the OWN-KNEE-CHAN cafe told the Eastern Mirror.
When asked about any open collaborations, Jungshi said, ‘if there are people who approach us with similar concept and related to the Otaku culture, then sure, we can open up our discussion about that’ while informing that Genki Fest 2024 would be an annual event.
One of the highlights of the evening was the Cosplay competition, where participants competed to impress with their elaborate costumes and performances.
The event featured an array of engaging panels, interactive workshops, and a vendor hall offering exclusive merchandise and collectibles.
The event concluded with a prize distribution where Samurai Hearts bagged the overall winner, Shima Angom received the best craftsman and Nezu won the best performer.
Proprietor and founder of Heirloom Naga, Jesmina Zeliang who came to witness the last day of the festival shared, ‘we are here to support our dear friend and sponsor, and believe it or not, I know a thing or two about cosplay, even if I might not recognize all the characters!’
Naga model, Opang Jamir expressed his love for cosplay: ‘It's a celebration of diversity and supports various causes. Today, I stand out, thanks to the costumes and makeup, which they got paid for. Events like these bring us together, fostering mutual support in countless ways.’
Amidst the humid conditions at the district, a seasoned cosplayer remarked on the challenges: "Cosplaying here isn't the most comfortable, but the energetic crowd kept our spirits soaring," while expressed hope that such events should take place regularly.
Theruovizo Metha, the host of the programme commented that the crowd at this year’s festival was different from the Kohima crowd while sharing that the crowd in Kohima during such events shows an active mood boosting the festive mood. He said, “being cringe is free, so I think as participants; getting cheered from the crowd boosts the ego and confidence.”
The night surely was young, as people gathered to witness the event with their loved ones while meeting and making friends.
(Alobo Ayemi is a student at Mass Communication student at Tetso College. She is currently an intern at Eastern Mirror.
(Khumjongla Thongtsar – A student at Journalism and Mass Communication, Nagaland University. She is currently an intern at Eastern Mirror.)