Season4Otaku is an annual event series that brings together fans of anime, comics, and games to celebrate and immerse themselves in the culture. It offers a wide range of activities, competitions, and collaborations, ensuring a fun experience for attendees of all sizes. With diverse booths and artist merchandise, there’s always something new to discover and enjoy at Season4Otaku.
Meet Yap Kai Shuen, the brains behind Season4Otaku and a UNIRAZAK graduate, who now oversees the company full-time. She initially launched the business with just six team members during her university days, and though some eventually left, she persisted in pursuing her passion. Today, her business has grown significantly, boasting a strong support network. Let’s dive into her passion and learn more about her journey towards making Season4Otaku a reality.
1. How do you think anime and cosplay have grown throughout the years?
Through organising events and getting more to know the culture of anime and Japan. I believe anime has fluctuated positively throughout the years and people are more accepting of anime/cosplay culture compared to back then. Everyone can enjoy anime without judgement as compared to back then.
2. What do you believe is the impact of anime and cosplay conventions like Season4Otaku on Malaysia’s tourism and local economy?
Anime and cosplay culture are not foreign in Malaysia as there’s always a demand for it. In fact, it is a growing population. By using anime as a medium to promote tourism, it could be a successful method in drawing more tourists to Malaysia, and encourage fans to spend money on their favourite anime and artists.
3. Can you discuss some of the common misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding anime and cosplay culture in Malaysia?
Our country has limitations when it comes to anime as showing too much skin or wearing revealing costumes will invite backlash from the conservatives.
4. What made you delve into this business? How did you get the idea to start Season4Otaku?
To be honest, it is all because of my love for this craft. I really love anime. I didn’t have much budget in the beginning to start the business, I simply started it because I’m crazy.
5. What was your first anime/manga that drew you in?
Yu-gi-oh. I was young, around four to five years old. My parents allowed me to watch anime because it kept me occupied. But that was the moment I realised my first anime love was Yu-Gi-Oh. But truthfully, I couldn’t understand the totality of it back then because it was all about cards.
6. How big is the current team & how has it grown over the years?
My first event was in 2016 at University Tunku Abdul Razak (UniRazak), that was my first event for Season4Otaku. At the time, there were only four members. And after that, some of the members left due to family matters and some had plans to further their education. And so in 2017, there were only two people (including myself). Later in 2019, my only team member had different plans and so they left as well, leaving me on my own. I was alone from 2020 until 2023. But now my team has a total of eleven people.
7. How did the people around you reacted to your idea of starting this business?
My parents did not support my idea of organising an anime event because they said, “It’s just a hobby. Why would you want to start this kind of thing?” Some of my friends said it’s just a waste of time. To be honest, it was quite difficult for me in the beginning, especially for the first three years–it was tough. Most of my friends and family were unsupportive of my plan. But now, they are able to see the results.
8. Can you share any memorable moments from your journey as an anime event organiser?
The most unforgettable memory for me was during Covid in 2022. That moment was the vivid one as Season4Otaku was the first ACG event (taking place that year) so I wasn’t expecting a long line of people queuing up crazily that the line stretch on for two floors. It was crazy and some even queued up for five hours and yet couldn’t get an entrance ticket. I was scolded and there wasn’t anything I could do at that time. So, that was the most unforgettable moment for me. I felt sorry (for the fans) but I had tried my best. The pandemic also placed a lot of restrictions at the time.
9. Have you faced any backlash from the local community/netizens because of your events and how did you overcome them?
(Nods)(Sigh) The licence part was the worst. When the Bandaraya came to our event for an inspection, they asked “Why are they (cosplayers) wearing sexy clothes?”It was tough because we had to provide them with a licence. That was the only issue from our event that went viral.
10. Based on our experience, your event last year was very well organised. However, there wasn’t much spotlight on the local artist booth. Do you see your event as a place to promote local creatives or are you particular?
Yes, I prefer to promote our local art and cosplayers and of course our local small businesses. Because when I went to (ACG events) overseas, their artists are super talented as well. My concern is why can overseas artists do this well? Because, (based on my observation) overseas artists are always on the beat of selling their art. On the event day, you would see them moving around, engaging with the customers and it helps to push sales.
Our local artists are slightly slow/passive in that department and I’m not sure why exactly. So I try to motivate our local artists/businesses/cosplayers because they’re awesome and talented. Our local talents are certainly on par with international talents.
11. How do you choose your vendors? Is it based on criteria or on a first-come-first-serve basis?
Mainly, first come first serve basis.
12. Why do you prefer holding your events in a mall? Is it purely due to budget?
A: Budget of course is one of the main problems we face every time. But I chose to do it in malls because they typically have their own event halls or a convention hall. It’s also convenient for fans, who travel by public transport. Also, if they’re hungry, they can easily find restaurants nearby. So that is why I chose to organise Season4Otaku in a mall.
13. How do you manage your team during an event in a mall since it’s open to the public and can be hectic?
For me, I believe in teamwork. My team has always done a great job and I barely find the need to ask them (for updates). If anything, they’ll just reach out to me whenever an issue arises; but they will usually settle the matter first and update me later on. I encourage my team to settle their own challenges (if it’s manageable). We trust each other a lot.
14. What make your events different from most anime events in Malaysia?
I believe my event is more focused on my vendors and stage activities. Our local performers have a lot of talent so why not open a stage for them to perform and show their talents. That is what sets us apart.
15. Have you experienced a situation in which your total revenue couldn’t cover the entire cost of an event?
A: Yes, I have. I experienced that and it was so painful to deal with it. Season4Otaku is a medium-scale event and it’s hard to get any sponsorships, to be honest. So basically, Season4Otaku is really a hobby and deep interest-based event, with money spent on making this event a reality.
16. Can you tell us a little bit about your 2 upcoming events, the Nima’s Circus & Nightmare Carnival? What was the inspiration behind them?
Nima’s Circus, taking place this June, on 15th & 16th at Atria Shopping Gallery and another one, Nightmare Carnival (renamed to Collection of Fear) is based on Halloween.
Nima’s Circus will be based on a circus-esque theme, where there will be a performance (a circus-inspired performance). Nightmare Carnival was my draft idea. Now, we have renamed it to Collection of Fear. This event will be focusing more on the Halloween theme, where things like haunted houses will be featured.
17. Do you have any plans to collaborate with any companies or international expo associations?
Yes, we are planning to collaborate with a few companies as we want to bring something different to Season4Otaku. We also want to offer special courses –an academy that allows people to delve deeper into performing arts. We will definitely collaborate with companies as such.
18. What are your future goals for Season4Otaku in terms of expanding and promoting talented local artists and performers within the events?
Of course, we do not plan on this being just an annual event. Perhaps in the near future, we can have it more often. With that said, I try not to have it clash with the dates of other corporation’s ACG events. I try to organise these events during the holiday season as we want families to come and join us. Because anime nowadays has become more family friendly.
19. What do you see your company’s growth in another 5 years as the anime industry expands rapidly?
I hope my company, Season4Otaku and my new team which is called 7th sense (they’ll be in charge of Halloween/Horror themed events), will keep organising new things for our fans because they love us and we have to show something different in return. We are hoping to collaborate with local and international communities as well cosplayers, artists etc. Simultaneously, we will improve the quality of events for the agenda. We want them (our fans) to experience something different each time they come to our events.
You can check out their Facebook for more upcoming events!
The video is taken by videographer of S4O.
Ariani Soraya & Sabrina Azahar contributed to this article.
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