Lurking beneath the surface of mainstream entertainment is the world of Japanese anime and manga. It’s one of those things that everyone has a vague idea about, an elusive subculture whose waters have not yet been fully tested. Just because we all know the words to the Pokemon theme song doesn’t necessarily mean that we’re ready to dive right into this Japanese subculture. But those who have dared have found themselves submerged in the sometimes quirky, sometimes creepy world of manga and anime, and the Sydney Manga and Anime Show was their time to come out and play.

A non-profit event, SMASH! 2008 was in its second year running, attracting hundreds of devoted fanboys and fangirls from all over town to the University of New South Wales’ Roundhouse for a day of mass celebration. The crowd was bustling with youthful eagerness waiting for doors to open, with a line stretching as far as the eye could see.

But before we embark upon this journey of cultural discovery, it might be best if I explain the difference between anime and manga. Anime is, well, animated. It’s the episodes of Sailor Moon we watched on TV before heading off to school, day dreaming of the mysterious Tuxedo Mask. As for manga, it’s the Japanese version of comic books, and is a little less accessible than anime.

Having said that, anime and manga don’t just stop at childhood sweets. They stretch far and wide, with as many varieties and genres as any other type of entertainment – including porn. Whether it be schoolgirl assassins or just a classic slice of life, there’s something out there to tickle everyone’s fancy.

The first thing to be noted about the crowd is that some of them were, oh I don’t know, dressed like they just stepped out of some bizzare Japanese animation. Cosplay, short for ‘costume play’, is described as “the act of dressing up as a favourite character from an anime, manga or game”. And it was quite the spectacle travelling on public transport, with pedestrians craning their necks to witness these strange creatures zooming past on buses. It was one of the definite highlights and delights of the day that just kept surprising and amusing.

The entire Roundhouse was buzzing, humming, singing by the time the crowds were inside. There was so much to see and do, so much happening at the same time that anyone one who was new to all of this, could not help but feel a little overwhelmed. Among the bustle of people were ongoing anime screenings, art panels, games and karaoke, at the same time as a range of more structured, timetabled events. Walls were lined with stalls upon stalls, selling all sorts of merchandise and artwork. With so much to do, it is little wonder why fans stayed on until eight at night.

There was something in the atmosphere, a certain sort of friendliness in the way people treat strangers with whom they share a mutual love. It was a common scene to hear someone shout out the name of a character they saw being cosplayed, and the next thing you know, there were hugs all around as new best friends had just been made.

The artistic talent present on the day was undeniable, and there were plenty of opportunities for budding manga-styled artists to flaunt their talents. The day was full of competitions, art workshops and leading these workshops was digital artist Kidchan, one of the special guests of the day. She sold her artwork and pleased fans with autographs in the Art Room and Artist Area, where there was plenty of artwork on display, perfect for artists and art lovers alike.

The other of the two biggest guests, anime voice actor, or seiyuu, Hidenobu Kuichi certainly attracted the crowds, awkwardly waiting for translation to take place (or not). After a session of live voice acting on stage with fans, he too patiently signed autographs for a more than steady stream of people.

Yet another interesting discovery made on the day, Asian ball-jointed dolls, or dollfies, edged things closer to the creepy side of anime/manga culture. Beautifully painted, yet eerily realistic, these dolls wear their deathly expressions as well as they wear their perfectly fitted, individually designed outfits.

But it was mid-afternoon when the moment we had all been waiting for finally arrived – the Cosplay Competition. With some fans spending lengthy amounts of time, effort and money on their hair and costumes, it was easy to tell how much love had gone into them. Posing as their character for photos and performing skits, the cosplay scored on entertainment points, whether you were an anime fan or not.

It seems this mysterious little niche is not so mysterious after all, and there is nothing more warming than a crowd of people just spreading their love. Needless to say, there is nothing quite like this world of manga and anime. Unlike the devoted fan who would have enjoyed a day meeting like-minded people and celebrating their unique fandom, anime virgins would have had an interesting learning experience, through a sub cultural exploration.

SMASH! 2008 was a great success, sure to be back next year and for many more years to come. And although I can’t say I’ve been converted just yet, I know I won’t be able to think about Pokemon the same way again.