MadeInAsia VS F.A.C.T.S. Who is better?

F.A.C.T.S. and MadeInAsia, We all know these two events are not just the well-known and biggest in terms of Comic and Animé Events in Belgium.Both are Internationally known for its activities offered and thousands of people don’t want to miss this.

This is not about who is the best out of the two, we try to point out what they need to improve so that they can offer more comfortable and happy experience to their guests.

Both events are exceptional and fun to go, personally, I love both.

This two has always different dates and venue they never had any coincidence to make it at the same time or place (of course business speaking).

Made in Asia

Offers a variety of presentation of programs, games, stores selling goods and services during its event from the tittle itself. It doesn’t entirely means all stuff that is present on that event is made in Asia.

Most are however you will find some that are especially on stalls that sell animé souvenirs.

Plotting of venue:

• Karaoke Hall,
• Activity area where you can learn like KPOP dancing or
• Sewing cosplay costume Hall
• Hall to play Online or Arcade games,
• A Concert hall where some Group Bands and artist will be presented as well as Cosplay competition,
• Place for kids where they can play freely,
• Hall for food and restaurants,
• Hall for autograph and fan signing and lastly
• The first hall that you’ll see when you enter is the hall for stalls/stores.

In terms of venue Made in Asia has a large capacity to welcome their guests to the last event held at Brussels Exposition in Heysel more than 70,000 people went on that 3 days event.

F.A.C.T.S.

Fantasy, Animation, Comics, Toys, Sci-Fi, Games and Cosplay, this year is their 28th edition. Awaits their guests at Flanders Expo in Ghent it’s also known as the Belgian Comic Con.

FACTS is not only focusing on Marvel side but also it features animé and manga like Made in Asia.They have a different theme in terms of presentation and settings of souvenir stores/stalls and restaurants. The entry hall is, however, an empty space.

A corner for cosplayers who wish to leave their personal belongings and to change costumes, unlike MIA the Entry Hall is an Info Desk and stalls/stores.

They also have various halls like

• Place for taking pictures includes decoration and motif,
• Hall for programs for concert and cosplay competition,
• Hall for autograph and fan signing, and
• The hall of souvenir/stalls as well as food and restaurants together.

It’s a 2 days event mostly held on weekends and from its record of 50,000 visitors last 2015.

These two events are open to all ages, cosplayers or not cosplayers, geeks or not, animé lovers, Marvel fans, Disney fans, Nintendo etc.

Which is Cheaper

Made in Asia has some offers went it comes to price, it’s a 3 days event so if you’re planning to go 3 days the price will be 10 euros/day but if only 1 or 2 days It’ll be 13 euros/day

F.A.C.T.S. same as Made in Asia it has also some offers but it’s completely different. normal price is 20 euros/day regardless if you’re going 1 or 2 days however for those cosplayers the price is lowered to 15 euros/day.

Parking is 5 euro and tram fee is free. They also have offers for VIP for autograph signing and picture-taking with your Idols its included. the price On the contrary with MIA it’s free but you must do the queue of course.

Venue Wise

Made in Asia has a larger venue that F.A.C.T.S. and plus it’s held in Brussels the capital which is more accessible for those who live in the southern or northern part of the country.

Presentation Wise

FACTS has more charisma in terms of presentation. They even installed a stage in the middle of the stalls/stores hall to make a sort of cat walk for cosplayers to expose their works.

They made it more attractive for people to wear costumes to pay cheaper, and not Made in Asia your free to wear anything cosplayer or not the price is the same.

Hall Blockings/Arrangements

Made in Asia has the flawless hall blockings, although they must still fix the settings of stalls/stores cause it’s too close to each other.

In case of hundreds of people passing by its suffocating. (I have experience by myself) or make a minimum distance from stall to stall 3-4 meters apart, It’s actually the same problem at FACTS too when there were too many people the way is unbearable.

One more thing to point out is the restaurants in F.A.C.T.S. its kinda all over the place, they should have made like one Hall for it.

Guests Presentation

Both has their strengths FACTS got hollywood guests, especially Star Wars, Game of Thrones and hollywood actors/actresses. MIA on the other hand has featured YouTube sensation artist, famous Manga Authors and Writers, and famous Manga Animé OST singers and bands.

Information and Guide

I was surprise that In FACTS there was no information desk, there was just a little stadium at one side.

I haven’t even had a map or guide. MIA however did it with the welcome desk and kinda Bank service where you can withdraw some cash but with  charge, because not all stall/stores accept card/bankcontact unlike in FACTS all stores do.

Photographers Advantage

FACTS have it with the Cat Walk presentation were amateur or professional photographers can clearly take pictures of amazing cosplayers. The panorama view of the first hall (stalls/stores) which at the 2nd floor where a restaurant situated.

A Photo Booth is found at the first hall after passing from the entrance. this will allow people take some pictures of themselves, and even for photographers a great spot to do their photo shoot with cosplayer artist.

Food Prices

It depends on what you want to have for a lunch or snacks, prices differs from 7 euros and above for a meal. In our case 7,00 euros for meatballs and fries (delicious) at the FACTS, 7,50 for a fried noodles in MIA, but if you prefer hamburger or sandwiches or other meal prices may differ.

You can also bring food on your own if you wish to eat more healthy or to save it’s always a great option.

Car Friendly

Cars are always a big dilemma when finding parking space. at MIA parking is not included so you need to search the parking lot near the vicinity of the neighbourhood that requires you to walk a little.

The parking from the designated area which cost 6 euros per day. FACTS has its own parking space  but it’s not included on your tickets like tram access, its 5 euros per day.

Commuters Friendly

It depends if where you are living, in my case I live in the Brussels so going to FACTS would take me almost 1 hour and a half with train and tram. with MIA it’s around 45 minutes with bus and metro.

Souvenirs and Collectibles ?

Both have this, from MIA that you can buy lots of stuffs from animé figurines, posters, shirts, cards, souvenirs, manga magazines, books and a lot more. While FACTS has almost the same too but more of Comics and unique collectible items like figurines or hollywood actors/actresses mainly Marvel stuffs.

Whats the Difference

To cut the story short there’s not a lot of difference

• F.A.C.T.S. is specialized on DC Comics, Marvel and a bit of Animé and everything and
• Made in Asia specialized more of Animé and Manga and Asia’s world and a bit of Marvel and others.

The Verdict, Who’s Better

F.A.C.T.S. : 6,5 points

Made In Asia: 6,5 points

After considering all aspects that affect the scores of this two fantastic events, I have called it a tie, both of them has their own advantages and disadvantages.

Personally, I love them both, there are several factors that I must consider if I need to choose only one. But I love Animé Manga and Marvel at the same time, even though there were more Cosplayers present at F.A.C.T.S., MIA has its Asian ambiance and feeling. Both are winners for me I wouldn’t miss going to this events.

Visits FACTS Facebook Page and Website for more information.