# SMASH! (convention)

SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show (typically abbreviated to SMASH!) is an annual Japanese pop culture convention held during July/August at the International Convention Centre Sydney in Sydney, New South Wales, and is the largest anime convention in Australia.

## Programming

The convention typically offers an artist circle, art competitions, community groups, cosplay competition and games, karaoke competition, maid cafe, merchandise vendors, panels, stage events, trivia, video game tournaments, and workshops. It also hosts the Gunpla Builders World Cup and World Cosplay Summit preliminary. On some years, a concert or after hours event also takes place that feature musical guests.

## Organization

SMASH! is run by SMASH Inc, a non-profit association incorporated in New South Wales that began in 2007. SMASH Inc is controlled by a board elected each year by the members of the association. The board in turn selects a management team responsible for the planning and day-to-day conduct of the convention as well as a staff of volunteers organised into various departments. The board, management and staff total more than 200 people.

### Mascots

The convention features two mascots, a boy, Cyrus, and a girl, Skadi. The pair are twin prince and princesses of the planet "Sumashcomianganimelis" (or "Smash" for short) in the "Ota Kuu" galaxy, who have been sent on a mission by the King of the Cosmos to spread Ota Kuu culture to Earth. The mascots were designed in 2007 by Sai Nitivoranant and have been drawn by numerous artists, including guests of the convention, Tan Kit Mun, Alexandra Szweryn and Shaun Healey.

## History

SMASH! was conceived by Katie Huang, an artist and illustrator living and working in Sydney. The event was originally called ComicWorld Sydney and was more closely modelled on the Comic World events held in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan. As the number of people involved in organising the event increased, the focus broadened and the name was changed to SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show.
In the first year, the convention setup the first maid cafe and host club to be at an anime convention in Australia. It was also where The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and Death Note made their Australian premiere. In 2010, SMASH! hosted the first national final of the Bandai Action Kit Universal Cup held in Australia in conjunction with Hobbyco and Namco Bandai; it was also the first year the convention reached its attendance cap. In 2014, SMASH! began its association with the World Cosplay Summit, holding the Australian Preliminary Final. That same year it also staged the NIPPON World Karaoke Grand Prix Australian Preliminary Final.
In 2020 and 2021, the convention was first postponed, then cancelled due to the Australian Government advice regarding the organisation of public gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

### Event History

| Dates | Location | Atten. | Guests |
| 18 August 2007 | The Roundhouse, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales | 1,435 | Queenie Chan, W Chew Chan, Gregor Whiley, and Yunyu. |
| 2 August 2008 | The Roundhouse, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales | 2,295 | Queenie Chan, W Chew Chan, Hidenobu Kiuchi, and Tan Kit Mun. |
| 8–9 August 2009 | The Roundhouse, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales | 2,709 | Cuson Lo, Alexandra Szweryn and Roger Lock. |
| 7 August 2010 | Sydney Town Hall Sydney, New South Wales | 2,810 | Yūko Miyamura, Tiffany Grant, Matt Greenfield, Shaun Healey, and Mikiko Ponczcek. |
| 16 July 2011 | Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre Sydney, New South Wales | 5,405 | Martin Billany, Hiroki Kikuta, Shinichi Watanabe, Kenji Ito, and Mari Yoshida. Concert, featuring Eminence. |
| 14 July 2012 | Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre Sydney, New South Wales | 6,200 | Shin-ichiro Miki, Yūko Miyamura, and Sakura Tange. |
| 10 August 2013 | Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre Sydney, New South Wales | 7,849 | Hidenori Matsubara, Haruko Momoi, Masakazu Morita, and Loverin Tamburin. Concert, featuring Vocaloid, Kz (Livetune), and Hachioji-P. |
| 9–10 August 2014 | Rosehill Gardens Racecourse Rosehill, New South Wales | 13,617 | Kotono Mitsuishi, Toshihiro Kawamoto, and Reika. |
| 8–9 August 2015 | Rosehill Gardens Racecourse Rosehill, New South Wales | 14,000+ | Danny Choo, Hiroaki Yura, Noriaki Sugiyama, Reika, and Loverin Tamburin. I Love Anisong (concert), featuring GARNiDELiA, Kz (Livetune), Nagi Yanagi, and DJ Hello Kitty. |
| 20–21 August 2016 | Rosehill Gardens Racecourse Rosehill, New South Wales | – | Hideo Ishikawa, Ai Nonaka, Takahiro Sakai, and Yuegene Fay. After Hours, featuring Cataclystic, Hachioji-P, and IA. |
| 19–20 August 2017 | Rosehill Gardens Racecourse Rosehill, New South Wales | – | Daisuke Sakaguchi, Shizuka Ito, Baozi & hana, Redjuice, Shiori Mikami, Yusuke Kozaki, and Asami Hagiwara. After Hours featuring TeddyLoid, Jadebella, Kenaz and DJ Yui Kanan. |
| 14–15 July 2018 | International Convention Centre Sydney Sydney, New South Wales | 22,000+ | Yoko Taro, Tsubasa Yonaga, Takahiro Omori, Ryotaro Okiayu, Mon, and Spike Spencer. |
| 13–14 July 2019 | International Convention Centre Sydney Sydney, New South Wales | 22,000+ | Rie Kugimiya, Atsushi Abe, Fumiko Orikasa, Kousuke Toriumi, Kizuna Ai, Goichi Suda, Seiji Mizushima, Junichiro Tamura, The Anime Man, Dear Kiss, Swallowtail Butler Opera, King, Haneame, Chihiro, Baozi & Hana, Ayasa, DJ Hosaka☆, Gear (GinyuforcE), and Latte (GinyuforcE). I Love Anisong (concert), featuring Kz (livetune), Konomi Suzuki, Chihara Minori and Nano. |
| 16–17 July 2022 | International Convention Centre Sydney Sydney, New South Wales | 28,000+ | The Anime Man, Hakos Baelz, CDawgVA, Gigguk, Hikarin, Kevin Penkin, Tsukumo Sana, Yosuke Sora, and Sydsnap. |
| 1–2 July 2023 | International Convention Centre Sydney Sydney, New South Wales | 30,000+ | SungWon Cho, Kureiji Ollie, Pavolia Reine, Toru Furuya, LAM, Rithe, Luto Araka, Lana Shikami, Sara Nagare, and Ladybeard. |
| 20-21 July 2024 | International Convention Centre Sydney Sydney, New South Wales | - | Kimitoshi Yamane, Yū Hayashi, Kore Yamazaki, Shu Uchida, Fuwawa and Mococo Abyssgard (FUWAMOCO), Alexander Smith (noriyaro), DJ Haru, Gale, Kiyo, and Swallowtail. |