Wikipedia

Overload (convention)

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 Queens Wharf starting in 2024.

Overload
15th anniversary event logo in 2021, with the convention's mascot Nindoro-kun
StatusActive
Genre
VenueThe Cloud
Location(s)Auckland, New Zealand
CountryNew Zealand
Inaugurated2006
Attendance8000+ in 2024[1]
Organized byOverload Committee
Websiteoverload.co.nz

Origins

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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

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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 comic and art competitions (since 2012), an art exhibition (since 2012) also featuring pieces from users of the Japanese art sharing website Pixiv, and a cosplay competition (since 2010). Overload has added events to its schedule such as live performances, Q&A panels, and a cosplay café with reservation and take-out options.[5]

History

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Overload has become more diverse in recent years following the dropping of "Doujin" from the convention's name, with a focus on wider comic work from 2011 on.[6] Additional events have included the 2011 Game Development panel,[7] and the 2012 art exhibition at Unitec Snow White Gallery of Japanese anime artist Fuzichoco.[8][9] The event is notable for early support of cos-players from 2008 on.[10] In 2011, former World Cosplay Champion Yuri Inaba was an invited participant of Overload.[11]

In 2022, Overload held an exhibition featuring production art from the Evangelion series, supported by Groundworks Co., Ltd. and Bandai Namco Asia.[12] In 2023, the convention hosted an art exhibition showcasing the anime works of Studio Trigger, such as key background and concept art from Kill la Kill, Little Witch Academia and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, supported and approved by Studio Trigger.[13]

Notable international guests have included Junji Ito, creator of Tomie and Uzumaki; Paru Itagaki, creator of Beastars; Masahiko Otsuka and Hiroyuki Imaishi, directors and founders of Studio Trigger.

Event History

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Year Dates Venue Attendance Featured Artists & Guests
2006 9 July Mercure Hotel 150[8] Ethird (Simon Kao)
2007[14] 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[8] 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)[15] Range Murata[16][17]
2014 4 October 2000 (approx)[18] 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+[19] Paru Itagaki, Setsuo Itō, SUOL, Shinnosuke Uchida, Thames (cosplay)
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References

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  1. ^ @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.
  2. ^ "Overload: About". Website. Overload.
  3. ^ "Overload NZ - Can we get a hell yeah for NZ's biggest anime and..." Facebook. Overload NZ.
  4. ^ "Overload: History". Website. Overload. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  5. ^ @OverloadNZ (21 March 2024). "Overload NZ Anime & Manga Convention on X: "The Cosplay Café will be re..." (Tweet). Retrieved 16 October 2024 – via Twitter.
  6. ^ Davies, Johanna (15 July 2011). "Drawn in". NZ Herald. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  7. ^ "Gaming Panel". Article. NZ Gamer. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  8. ^ a b c "Art Exhibition". Article. Overload.
  9. ^ "藤色 fuzishiki – Fuzichoco". Unitec New Zealand. Archived from the original on 22 September 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  10. ^ Tan, Lincoln (15 July 2008). "'Cosplayers' craze grows". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "Overload Anime & Manga Convention - Powered by Eventzilla". Overload. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  13. ^ @OverloadNZ (27 January 2012). "Overload NZ Anime & Manga Convention on X: "Overload is ..." (Tweet). Retrieved 2 May 2024 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ "What's On: NZ Herald". Website. New Zealand Herald. 5 July 2007. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  15. ^ "Sponsorship information". Overload. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  16. ^ "Range Murata to Attend Overload NZ 2013 as Special Guest". Anime News Network. 20 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  17. ^ "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.
  18. ^ "About Overload". Overload. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  19. ^ @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.
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