Ma Première in F.A.C.T.S. (Fantasy, Anime, Comics, Toys, Space)

F.A.C.T.S. known to be the Belgian Comic con. It has gotten far to its 28th edition held on April 1st and 2nd at Flanders Expo Ghent, Belgium. Not just open for geeks but as well as to all ages. It happens to be the biggest event ever each year for cosplayers, photographers, comics/marvel fans, manga/anime fans, collector items fans, arcade gamers, and even to those who love to meet and greet hollywood and popular actors and actresses.

The venue was big as expected that will surely must visitors to walk a lot, the entrance fee could be varied on what kind of activities will you avail.

About F.A.C.T.S.

What to Expect

If you want to have an access only in the open public places then entrance fee will be 20 euros per person. However if you wish to meet and greet and get an autograph with your favorite actors or actresses then it’ll cost you more depending of the level of VIP ticket you will take.

This years F.A.C.T.S. edition has featured some of those very popular actors/actresses in the hollywood industry including

• Spencer Wilding of Star Wars,
• Nathan Fillion of Castle series,
• Actor Kristian Nairn (Hodor) of Game of Thrones and a lot more,

Hosting this kind of event with this very known people is a sign that F.A.C.T.S. is really a high reputed event.

Super heroes are one of the highlights since Marvel, Comics, Space the first thing in our mind is Star Wars, Star trek, Super Man, Spider Man, Bat Man, Wonder Woman etc.

My first Impression

The nicest thing about this event is that everyone is invited to come with their cosplay attire on.

The interesting part is you will get a discount from your entrance fee if you’ll be in your cosplay style.

Mostly people might think  that its ridiculous to see cosplayers walking on the street with their weird costumes.

but hey! these costumes are the fruit of their hard work and perseverance to attain this level of achievement.

If you are an amateur cosplayer? then this one is the best event for you to come to debut and bloom.

if you’re an amateur photographer it’s a feast like a buffet, limitless pleasure to take photos of this gorgeous cosplayers.

Getting to the Interior Place

The first that I’ve noticed when I came into the area was the different kiosk located inside the first hall.

They have the booth for Weapon Check for those cosplayers who bring props. then a booth where they can leave their things and a dressing room to change costumes.

After passing through security control is the way to the grand hall of exhibition.

It was the same as Made in Asia‘s plotting of booths/stalls and stores.

The first thing we did was to search for the reception but unfortunately they didn’t have one.

I haven’t receive any welcome greetings from the staffs or even flyers. however they have an application in android playstore to see the map and content of the area but its my first time.

I only saw it at the last-minute cause I was actually expecting the same method as Made in Asia offers.

My adventure Starts

Roaming around the area I’ve met a lot of cosplayers around. I gently ask them if I could take some photos luckily of all I’ve ask and believe me no one did says “NO”

From Movies, Anime, Manga, Cartoons, Pokémon, Super Mario to Marvel, Disney, Nintendo, online games and a lot more, cosplayers are unbelievably great putting on a show with their costumes.

While enjoying the moment as photographer that day, suddenly, a commotion in the middle of the place.

A staff was actually announcing  a catwalk style show for cosplayers in the stage installed.

first will be for those who’s doing Online games, and anime series.

I was really curious so I run directly in the middle and got a good spot to take adorable photos during the catwalk of some cosplayers.

It was kinda hard to be in competition with those other photographers installing their stuffs.

besides, there were many I can say professional photographers who were there to take some photos too.

 

The Highlight

There were different duo’s cosplayers that day, It was unbelievable to see how they did a great job in terms of their costumes and postures aiming to be a perfect fit for the character that they are portraying.

Aside from being filled with cosplayers, this event also have stalls/stores who sells collectible rare items.

As for us we bought a petit pop figurine of Pharah the green one a rare stuff for collectors, and for the One Piece fan (me).

I bought some souvenirs as well Zoro key chains, Mugiwara cards, and a special DVA of overwatch mouse pad.

Overwatch’s Pharah Exclusive Collection

As we roam around the place was beginning to be full, suddenly its lunch time and its also time for us to take lunch.

We went up to this store side corner restaurant which gives a magnificent look over the perimeter of the area. It would be very authentic to have your lunch with a superb view from upstairs.

Unluckily the restaurants doesnt served dishes that I prefered so we went down and search for something to eat.

The Mysterious DVA Cosplayer

We ended up eating meatballs and fries, anyways its saturday I’ll forget my diet first. while eating in the corner I saw this girl wearing DVA costume.

I thought that she’s perfect fit for it and hoping I could take a pic of her later. And yes I did right after my lunch.

Other part of the Exhibition

There was also a Hall of exhibition of Cars and Scenes used in the movies like Transformers, Starsky and Hutch, and a lot more, just in the exit part of the hall I saw this cute R2D2 mascots moving around.

    

On the other side is the hall for the world’s biggest inflatable obstacle course. it’s a huge perimeter where you can really enjoy and have fun with your family and kids.

For the rest of the hours all I did was taking pictures of this incredible cosplayers all around.

Though I haven’t ask to everyone it’s because there were a lot of them sometimes others photographers were busy taking photos too but It was pretty cool and fun experience.

My F.A.C.T.S. Cosplayer Collection

I won’t let this opportunity to escape, I want to feature the best Genji cosplayer that I’ve ever met.

The first time I met him was at Made in Asia and eventually here in F.A.C.T.S. he’s one of those artist that I look up to, what an exceptional presence of this guy.

You can contact him through his Instagram

Finally I wont let this article ends without telling you my favourite picture of this event, I would give it to the most impressive girl that moment.

My heart almost jump out of its place when I saw her It’s like a real ghost in front of me.

If I’m one of the judges of cosplay competition she’ll be my number one in terms of costume, make up, facial expressions, gestures and deliberation she’s top of the top.

My top 1 Cosplayer of the Day

And for those One Piece lovers out there like me, I have a special bonus pictures exclusively for you. These are some of the figurines that I’ve found (and wanted to buy) but I’ll save up first for it.

After a while we had to go home, this experience will be treasured as much as I can.

I really love the feeling of taking pictures left and right and everywhere non stop it was fun and at the same time exhausting but the most important part is the moment of joy.

My Mugiwara Collection

Overall experience was really good, the plotting of the stalls/stores are not so bad even though it was a little short to accommodate, a lot of people especially the passage part.

I believe that I have already discussed it also in my earlier article about this disadvantage.

Suggestions

On the other hand It was really handy and accessible for those who didn’t have much cash on their pockets, out of all stalls that I’ve been too I have only paid with card which is really easy for me and for other visitors for sure.

It would really be appreciated if F.A.C.T.S. would give a token of gratitude for its visitors, considering the entrance of this event is pretty high.

I think people deserves to be given a little gift, not counting the free shopping bag that we have received.

One more point to say is that I like the way that this event presented, except about the map/area content copy, that I know F.A.C.T.S. prefer it to paperless and be available via smart phone/phone app however there are people who still prefer paper copy and I hope they’ll still continue spreading it out.

Appreciation

Lastly I want to thank the F.A.C.T.S. organizers, staffs and all the people who work behind this event, and of course the Cosplayers who participated and gave their best and all effort.

I congratulate you all for your courage and confidence. Remember that even if photographers didn’t ask you for a picture it doesn’t mean that you’re not good at what you’re doing but perhaps there’s more out there that outshine you.

Continue what you are doing time will tell you’ll be soon at the stage proud and confident with your cosplay attire.

Love lots from a huge cosplay fan (me) and hope you guys would not be tired of being present in every event, and will always be patient, friendly, kind, and please don’t be tired to pose for a picture or videos.

Verdict: 8/10

P.S. This is only personal opinions/suggestions, photos are all taken by me.

If you happened to be the cosplayer whom I took the photo with, I can give you a raw copy of it don’t hesitate to ask.

Hope to see you all again next incoming F.A.C.T.S. event 21-22 October of this year. check out the official site of FACTS for information and tickets.

F.A.C.T.S. 2017