The first-ever IBA Con, hosted by IBA’s own Anipop society, was a massive success, exceeding the expectations of many. The event, held at the main campus on 25th February 2024, brought together fans of J-pop, K-pop, Anime, and movies into an epic pop culture extravaganza.
THE EVENT
Divided into multiple modules, IBA Con had something planned for literally everybody. The artists showcased their talents through a hand-drawing competition, calligraphy, and wall art. In addition to this, the Anipop Society invited Sabi Irfan and Ali Hyder from Mano Animations to talk about their process. The cinephiles were entertained with a screening of “Your Name” – the universally acclaimed Japanese animated movie. Moreover, the stage was lit up by various performances of covers from Pop, K-pop, and J-pop. Furthermore, “Tekken” and “Super Smash Bros” competitions were organized for the gamers in the crowd.
Apart from this, there were many other anime-themed modules, such as “Guess the Anime Opening” and “Hot Takes”. Moreover, IBA Con also provided a major platform for many vendors and start-ups to promote their products.
And of course, who can forget the stars of the night – the cosplayers! The ones who brought this event to life. People were dressed as characters from popular animes such as Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, Naruto, Dragon Ball Z, and more. Characters from other IPs were also spotted, like the iconic Jaadu cosplay and – my personal favorite – Rorschach (a niche DC character). While all the cosplayers shined in their own way, the winner of the night was Aqsa Khan, who donned the majestic look of La Signora from Genshin Impact.
IBA’S NEW FLAGSHIP EVENT?
New societies are frequently established in IBA, but not all continue. However, with IBA Con, the Anipop Society – in its debut year – has created a flagship event at the level of Enigma. We are already excited for the IBA Con to return next year.
