It’s a big reunion! After 3 years of hiatus due to the pandemic, The Best of Anime (BOA) is coming back this 2023 with a vengeance. This year, BOA will be featuring a number of exciting events like the Anime Idol Dance Battle, Anime Sing-Off, All-Star Cosplay Competition, and Lolita Fashion Show — complete with special guests, performances by fan-favorite cosplayers, and more. Of course, an anime event is never complete without merchandise, so don’t forget to drop by the shops and grab some anime merch and manga or comics!

For those unfamiliar with cosplay, the term originates from the combination of the words “costume” and “play”, and refers to activities related to dressing or acting as a character from anime, manga, or any other form of media. Cosplayers don’t simply dress as them, but spend all their time conceptualizing, creating their costume masterpieces, and building their own definition of the character. As one of the biggest cosplay events in the Philippines, cosplayers from all over the country will be gathering at BOA to show off their amazing creations and have a great time as they celebrate this art. Of course, BOA isn’t limited to just cosplayers. The event welcomes everyone who loves cosplay, anime, manga, and Japanese culture!

With anime, manga, and cosplay having a huge cultural significance in Japan and a large impact all over the world, the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Manila Office are excited to support this event. Both organizations will be at BOA to share more about the fascinating aspects of Japan and its culture, as well as provide engaging activities and informative material about Japan for event goers.


If you love anime, manga, cosplay, and Japanese culture, then make sure not to miss The Best of Anime 2023: The Reunion! Head on over to the SMX Convention Center at the SM Mall of Asia Complex on September 16 for an anime extravaganza!


WHAT: The Best of Anime 2023: The Reunion
WHEN: September 16, 2023
WHERE: SMX Convention Center Manila, Pasay City
Buy tickets on-site or in advance through SM Tickets: https://smtickets.com/events/view/11993
Regular tickets: ₱380
Premium tickets: ₱1,250

Even moms like me do love basketball, also in my teenage years. I used watch games at the local leagues where some of my relatives and even my brothers are playing. So, to me basketball is perhaps been a part of my life. My hubby also plays basketball but not that hardcore in playing. He just plays when there's opportunity but he make sure that our kids do play basketball.

It was unveiled recently the "First Pinoy Anime Series" entitled "Barangay 143" and what's even great is that this anime will aired in GMA 7. Now my kids will have some basketball watching to do. Unfortunately the time and day of the TV series have been declared yet. The anime series is produced by a group of companies joined together to have this "First Pinoy Anime Series". Teamed up together, Jyotirmoy Saha, CEO of August Media Holdings; Jackeline Chua, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Synergy88 Entertainment Media Inc., Takahiro Kishimoto, Head of Animation, International Business Department of TV Asahi, and Joey Abacan, Head of Acquisition, GMA Network and made announcement of the airing on GMA 7 of "Barangay 143" Anime series.

Barangay 143 – as the series is known is the first-ever Filipino Anime series. Co-produced between Synergy88, TV Asahi (Japan) and August Media Holdings (Singapore), Barangay 143 will feature a glittering celebrity cast including Cherie Gil, Alice Dixon and John Arcilla and millennial heartthrobs, Julie Anne San Jose, Kelley Day, Migo Adacer, and Ruru Madrid.








Barangay 143 is a feel-good coming of age story of a young Korean boy whose search for his father brings him to the Philippines. Lost and desperate for answers, is here in this foreign land that he finds an unlikely family in a team of misfits whose only ambition is to bring glory to their hometown. It's a story about love and family set against the action-packed world of street basketball, where the stakes are always high and life the biggest game you can win.

“Philippines has a vibrant TV and film industry with a rich culture of storytelling. Right from the onset we were determined develop the show right here so that it captures the essence of life in Manila. I am immensely proud of what we have finally created in Barangay 143”, said Jyotirmoy Saha, CEO, August Media Holdings.



Fans can enjoy Barangay 143 not just as a TV Series but digitally, in print and as consumer products. The Barangay 143 Street League mobile game is already available on the Google Play Store for Android and the iOS App Store. The narrative story within the mobile game leads to the suspense and drama that drives the story for the upcoming TV Series.



“Within the series, the comic strip and even the game we have tried to capture the real-life experiences of the Philippines through the art and the sounds.,” said Jackeline Chua, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Synergy88 Digital. “With Barangay 143 Street League we also created a unique experience that helps players compete with friends in cyberspace but get their wins rewarded in the real world.”



Set against the backdrop of gritty Tondo, the series also features original music from a whole host of celebrity Filipino singers and musicians. The series is painstakingly designed and produced here in Manila with the help crew from across Japan, South Korea, USA, Malaysia and Singapore.
“When we first came across Barangay 143 during its development phase, it seemed like a natural choice for us to be a part of. We hope that Japanese creativity will bring light into the Filipino story and characters to life.”, said Takahiro Kishimoto, Head of Animation at International Business Department of TV Asahi.
Leading up to the start of the broadcast, fans will be treated to a series on Barangay 143 themed concerts featuring music stars like Gloc-9, Shanti Dope, Julie Ann San Jose and more. We expect to also treat our audiences with many other “GMA has always been known to support anything that champions Filipino talent and promotes our culture. We are immensely proud to be the network carrying the first Filipino anime drama series,” said Joey Abacan, First Vice President, Program Management at GMA.

Executive Producers of the TV Series have mentioned that they are committed to develop the property further and are already contemplating more content surrounding Barangay 143 the brand.