Taylor’s Anime Society Marks 20 Years with Kiyoko Con Campus Convention

A full house at The Grand Hall as fans explored booths and activities at Kiyoko Con（Source：CAI LEYAO)

SUBANG JAYA- Taylor's Anime Society (TAS) brought the worlds of animation, comics and games (ACG) to life at "Kiyoko Con", a two-day animation convention held at The Grand Hall of Taylor's University. Celebrating its 20th anniversary the club welcomed more than 1,600 anime enthusiasts, to a packed event of vibrant colours, creative cosplays and excitement. The convention was open to all students, staff and the public. Kiyoko Con has turned Taylors  University campus into a place for anime fans, artists and gamers to communicate. “It was more than expected, the hall was constantly full,” said TAS President Sim Hong Bing.

Activities include a live concert, a Nintendo Switch tournament and a Magic: the Gathering tournament. Also, the convention cooperated with Taylor's art club to hold an art competition, and the ACG-themed Hackathon encouraged students to create their own mini games during the convention. There were more than 40 artists and handmade goods booths, full of colourful goods and fan art works. “We had a bunch of workshops, performances, and interactive panels to build an inclusive community,” Sim said. He added that this year’s convention included about 25 collaborations, both internally and externally, helping different creative groups connect and grow together.

Players focused on their matches during the tournament (Source：CAI LEYAO)

Kiyoko Con attracts a wide mix of people, from Taylor's students to anime fans from all over Malaysia. Sim mentioned, “There were maybe 300 or even 400 walk-ins, it was completely unexpected.” The steady flow of attendees made the hall energetic all day long, which showed  the power of anime culture in bringing different groups together. It even caught the attention of well-known organizers, like Comic Fiesta and AniManGaki, who attended and praised it for bringing back “a nostalgic feeling” and giving “a sense of hope” for the local anime scene.

Attendees browsing through the artist booths (Source: CAI LEYAO)

The event not only left a deep impression on the organisers and visitors, but also created personal memories for many attendees. Among them was Nureisya Binti Muhammad Shahnaz, a student who came to support her friend in an art competition. “I was really excited to see all the art and people who are interested in the same things as me,” she said with a smile. She also appreciated the convenience of getting tickets, praising the accessibility of the convention, “ It’s [Kiyoko Con] much better because most conventions are in KL, and this one is quite close.” She also mentioned “Animation has always been connected with Malaysian youth,” local favorites like BoBoiBoy and Upin & Ipin are what  shaped her love for anime and art.

Some attendees working on their artwork (Source: CAI LEYAO)

Kiyoko Con is also an example of how student-led programmes can bring new life into campuses. For Sim, the convention is more than just an event, it is a way to make students feel like they matter.  “Events like Kiyoko Con are pretty transformative,” he said. “We create a space where students feel supported and discover their passions beyond academic life.” TAS has built a bridge between different creative communities through cooperation with more than 25 clubs and external partners. Sim added that the event gave students “the opportunity to lead, to feel included, to build their own community and networks.” 

Kiyoko Con exemplifies the vigorous development of creativity and community spirit in campus life. Music, art, games and cosplay gathered together, and this event brought people with common interests together. As Taylor’s Anime Society celebrates its 20th year, the spirit of Kiyoko Con is still growing, encouraging students to express themselves, connect with others, and continue to shape the vibrant popular culture atmosphere of Taylor's.