On Sunday, December 1, the Magnificon Winter Expo 2024 officially came to an end. The second and final day of this convention brought an even greater dose of emotions and attractions. Let’s dive into part two of our report.
The day started with the star of the show – a concert of Japanese singer Kota Shinzato. Despite this being his second performance at the event, Kota delivered with boundless energy, matched only by the enthusiasm of the crowd. The biggest thrill came from One Piece tracks, especially the hit “Hands Up!” Fans not only danced along but sang the entire song, which left the Japanese guest both surprised and delighted, as he later mentioned in an interview. During our chat, he shared insights about his acting career, impressions from visiting Poland, and, of course, his favorite video games.
Following the artistic energy came a more practical session: a panel on optimal gaming equipment. The age-old debate of laptop vs. PC divided opinions, but no fights broke out! The session explored: graphics cards, monitors, mice, and keyboards tailored to different gaming needs. There were also recommendations for gamers of all stripes, from survival horror fans (Alan Wake 2) to enthusiasts of indie titles with minimal hardware demands.
Sunday belonged to console gaming fans, particularly during the 1v1 Tekken 8 tournament in the CFA gaming zone. Players of all ages battled fiercely on-screen with the support of cheering spectators. I even had time to try some console games myself – Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed and Dragon Age: The Veilguard were intriguing. However, the schedule beckoned, and I was off to the next panel.
That session took a different turn, focusing on winter themes in pop culture, with references to classics like The Shining, The Thing, Game of Thrones, and Snowpiercer. It ended with a discussion on the symbolism of ice and white in the strategic game Frostpunk.
Winter chills couldn’t dampen the excitement as the stage heated up for a performance by the Japanese music-art collective G.L.A.M.S. The artists delivered powerful rock anthems that brought the audience to life. Their engaging interaction with the crowd created an electric atmosphere in the Wisła Hall, amplified by fiery visuals accompanying the music.
The G.L.A.M.S concert was our final event at this winter’s Magnificon. Leaving Expo Kraków, I felt a mix of exhaustion and immense satisfaction from participating fully in this unforgettable experience. The event expanded our knowledge of gaming while deepening our appreciation for music, anime, and cosplay. In our gaming review scale, I’d rate this festival a 5.0, reserved for the year’s biggest hits. For those eager to experience it for themselves, the spring edition is coming in May 2025, promising new guests, fresh attractions, and an even deeper dive into Japanese culture.
That’s all from us – until next time! さようなら!
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