# 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. Overload is regularly hosted at The Cloud, and acquired additional use of Shed 10 on Queens Wharf starting in 2024.

## Origins

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.

## Programming

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 and Q&A panels on its main stage. There is an itasha display of cars decorated with anime-themed artwork, and a cosplay café with reservation and take-out options.

## History

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. Additional events have included the 2011 Game Development panel, and the 2012 art exhibition at Unitec Snow White Gallery of Japanese anime artist Fuzichoco. The event is notable for early support of cos-players from 2008 on. In 2011, former World Cosplay Champion Yuri Inaba was an invited participant of Overload.
In 2022, Overload held an exhibition featuring production art from the Evangelion series, supported by Groundworks Co., Ltd. and Bandai Namco Asia. 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.
Notable international guests have included Junji Ito, creator of Tomie and Uzumaki; Paru Itagaki, creator of Beastars; Masahiko Ōtsuka and Hiroyuki Imaishi, directors and founders of Studio Trigger. Autographed shikishi from guests and original drawings from mangaka who have attended previous Overload events are framed and displayed at the Graphic Novel Cafe in Auckland.

### Event History

| Year | Dates | Venue | Attendance | Featured Artists & Guests |
| 2006 | 9 July | Mercure Hotel | 150 | Ethird (Simon Kao) |
| 2007 | 8 July | The Hyatt Auckland | | Jianran Pan & W.L.Wong |
| 2008 | 8 July | The Hyatt Auckland | | Ethird (Simon Kao) |
| 2009 | 26 July | Mercure Hotel | | Paolo Alinea |
| 2010 | 25 July | The Hyatt Auckland | 1000 | Jeremiah W. & Anthony Lau |
| 2011 | 26–27 July | The Hyatt Auckland | 800 | Eddie & SnowWaltz |
| 2012 | 22 September | The Pullman Hotel | 600 | Fuzichoco |
| 2013 | 28 September | ASB Stadium | 1600 (approx) | Range Murata |
| 2014 | 4 October | ASB Stadium | 2000 (approx) | Yoshitoshi ABe |
| 2015 | 26 September | ASB Stadium | | Noizi Ito, Yuegene Fay |
| 2016 | 24 September | The Cloud | | Yun Kōga, Reika (cosplay), A.K.Wirru |
| 2017 | 30 September | The Cloud | | Takuya Satō, Marina Kawano, Ying Tze (cosplay) |
| 2018 | 24 September | The Cloud | | Hiromi Igarashi, Seiji Mizushima, KANAME (cosplay) |
| 2019 | 28 September | The Cloud | | Junji Ito, Kurumi Purarine |
| 2021 | 24 April | The Cloud | | Hiroyuki Asada, Alisa, Guillaume Devigne (Crypton Future Media) |
| 2022 | 8 October | The Cloud | | Ai Kakuma, Hiroyuki Asada |
| 2023 | 15-16 April | The Cloud | | Masahiko Ōtsuka and Hiroyuki Imaishi (Studio Trigger), Namihei Koshige, Vye (cosplay), CyYu |
| 2024 | 20-21 April | The Cloud, Shed 10 | 8000+ | Paru Itagaki, Setsuo Itō, SUOL, Shinnosuke Uchida, Thames (cosplay) |
| 2025 | 26-27 April | The Cloud, Shed 10 | TBA |