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Dolazimo na Magnificon Expo 2025 u Poljsku

Aleksandra Kubas — Thu, 22 May 2025 12:57:16 +0000

We’re happy to announce that IndieGames will take part in Magnificon Expo 2025 convention, which will be held in Krakow on 23-25 May. This periodic festival for over 20 years has been bringing together enthusiasts of Japanese pop culture, including anime, board games, manga, music and, of course, video games. Fans from all over Poland, as well as foreign guests, are heading to the former polish capital to experience a weekend full of panel discussions, workshops, contests and even some culinary activities.

The goal of Magnificon Expo is not only to promote Japanese traditions, trends and works of art, but also to shape Polish cultural scene in general. While video games are not the main focus in that case, the festival still offers an unique insight into the world of gaming with conferences and panel discussions concerning specific titles and franchises, cultural context of those games and also gaming industry in general.

As usual, during this event participants can also attend theme zones dedicated to different kinds of games. There will be a CFA Gaming Zone with fresh Xbox premieres (DOOM: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, Avowed), Slayer Bites snacks and photo op with Duchess from Elden Ring: Nightreign. Another attraction will be run by Project Genshin, an initiative that brings together fans of the titular open-world RPG. For this section, they’ll create a real life Genshin village full of characteristic objects, different quests and locations straight from the game. Moreover, there also will be an area filled with rhythm games of all sorts, so that visitors can choose between various kinds of genres.

The post We will be present at Magnificon Expo 2025 in Poland! first appeared on IndieGames.

Mozart, Pokémon i najstariji simfonijski orkestar u Poljskoj – intervju s Wiktorom Kulińskim iz Anime Symphony

Aleksandra Kubas — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 15:33:14 +0000

How do you create a blend of classical sound and melodies from popular Japanese animations? The members of the Yumegakanau Foundation have found a way. In collaboration with the Karol Namysłowski Symphony Orchestra from Zamość and the Pro Musica Mundi choir, they organize concerts as part of the Anime Symphony project. The final anime music concert of this year took place at the Kraków Magnificon Winter Expo 2024, where we had the opportunity to talk with Wiktor Kuliński, the president of the foundation’s board and the originator of the entire initiative.

What is so special about anime music?

It is music that offers an incredible variety of genres: from rock to symphonic film scores, and even classical music inspired by the works of Mozart or Bach. Often people unfamiliar with anime are surprised after our concerts, because they expect primarily traditional Japanese sounds. While those are certainly present, a significant portion of the melodies has a European character, reminiscent of renowned composers already mentioned.

You are the initiator of the Anime Symphony project. Where did the idea of combining a symphony orchestra with music from Japanese animation come from?

It’s a story that might sound a bit clichéd and sentimental, but it really happened. My love for anime music emerged in middle school. At the time, I had lessons with an excellent teacher, Ms. Katarzyna Kucharska, who taught us about music. We also learnt to play the recorder. I was quite good at it, so I searched for new songs to play and stumbled upon a piece from the second Pokémon movie: Lugia’s Song. This was during the early days of the internet, not as advanced as it is now, so I wasn’t skilled in finding sheet music. Instead, I downloaded the song from YouTube and burned it onto a CD to give to Ms. Kucharska. A week later, she handed me sheet music transcribed by ear. I was thrilled, and seeing my enthusiasm, she suggested I enroll in a music school. That’s how I began my journey in the oboe class.

Also, on the initiative of Ms. Katarzyna, we participated in outings to the philharmonic hall. There was an annual program where one could buy a pass, and concerts cost only 5 złotys each. The last concert in the series I attended was dedicated to film music. They played pieces from Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, and The Mission. That’s when it struck me: if I can go to the Kraków Philharmonic and listen to the biggest hits from Pirates of the Caribbean, why couldn’t the same be done for anime music? Anime tracks are often beautiful and have great potential for symphonic performance. That idea started to develop in my mind. Meanwhile, I was helping organize various pop culture events like Magnificon, observing the growing interest in anime. So I began making serious preparations, contacting orchestras, choirs, and friends. Eventually, I managed to organize everyone, leading to the first Anime Symphony concert.

How long have you been performing?

It feels like it’s been years, but in reality, we only started this year. Our performance at Magnificon was our sixth concert. Before that, there were two “big” concerts featuring a full orchestra of over 50 instrumentalists, a 24-member choir, and our four incredible vocalists. For chamber concerts, the ensemble is smaller: 25 instrumentalists and soloists. So, while we’ve only recently started, the preparations for the first concert took over a year.

You mentioned inspiration from film music concerts. How do Anime Symphony performances differ from other pop culture-related concerts?

Besides the obvious difference in the music, which in this case is not from games or films but anime, we strive to approach these concerts from a slightly different angle. Beyond entertainment, we aim to maintain seriousness in promoting culture. For this reason, we’ve partnered with organizations like the Embassy of Japan and the Legalna Kultura Foundation. We also ensure the concerts take place in appropriate venues, such as the ICE Kraków Congress Centre or Warsaw Philharmonic.

Moreover, in anime, music typically supports the visuals. In our concerts, we decided to make the visuals support the music. We incorporate animations created specifically for our performances and include cosplayers during more iconic pieces. This aspect is handled by our stage director and vice-president of the Yumegakanau Foundation, Katarzyna “Kairi” Siedlecka. In my opinion, she has a perfect sense of balance between music as an art and visuals that emphasize it.

How does the audience react to such a combination of music and performance elements?

That’s the most beautiful thing we observe. Young anime enthusiasts often face skepticism from their parents or older relatives, who see anime as a fleeting hobby or something not worth taking seriously. With Anime Symphony, we aimed to give young people an opportunity to introduce their loved ones to the world of anime through a culture they can appreciate. I’ve seen comments on TikTok, YouTube, and even ticketing platforms like Bileteria where people say: “I didn’t know what anime was, but my kids/grandkids took me to the concert, and I had a fantastic time.”

Hearing and reading such opinions warms my heart. It shows we’ve created an event that takes anime seriously and bridges generations. I’m not saying those new to anime will immediately start watching it or attending conventions, but they have the chance to glimpse the passion their children, grandchildren, or friends have for it. Anime, after all, is a multifaceted medium encompassing animation, cosplay, music, artwork, performances, and more. It’s moments like these that highlight how anime enthusiasts can channel their interest into something even more creative.

Returning to the concert itself, how do you select the repertoire?

I won’t hide that the first repertoire was entirely my creation. While compiling it, I focused on two aspects: the complexity of the pieces, ensuring they were more advanced technically, and their character. Grand, emotional compositions designed for orchestras work best. The goal is to evoke memories for listeners, even if they don’t recognize the titles immediately. When they hear these pieces during the concert, specific anime scenes often come to mind.

For this reason, I tend to avoid opening and ending themes, as they’re already popular and serve more commercial and promotional purposes. However, this doesn’t mean they’re entirely absent from Anime Symphony. For instance, we included the ending theme from Demon Slayer, which also appears in the episodes, and of course, Moonlight Densetsu, the opening of Sailor Moon.

Are there any new pieces planned for future concerts?

I can reveal that at the next concert, we’ll include the opening Gurenge from Demon Slayer, which our vocalist, Carolin “Wønder” Mrugala, was eager to perform. Kairi has also suggested several ideas, including music from Death Note. Although I’ve watched it, I had forgotten how fantastic its vocal parts are, making it perfect for our Pro Musica Mundi choir. Kairi also proposed My Hero Academia, and I added One Piece and Fairy Tail. These are great ideas for thematic segments. Our concerts are divided into two parts: blocks of songs from specific anime, usually around five pieces, and standalone tracks from other productions. The larger blocks typically number four, while the individual pieces fill the gaps, resulting in nearly 40 songs per concert.

That’s quite a lot! Finally, what are the plans for Anime Symphony’s future development?

Our next goals are quite ambitious. We’d like to invite Japanese composers to our concerts. It would also be incredible to host performers of iconic pieces to play with the orchestra or sing solo. Imagine, for instance, Mika Kobayashi singing songs from Attack on Titan with a full symphony orchestra—what a spectacle that would be! Of course, the costs for such events would be enormous, and we operate entirely on our own resources. Therefore, finding an investor or sponsor would certainly make it easier to realize this vision. But I believe that as Anime Symphony grows, these dreams will become increasingly achievable.

In terms of concerts, I dream of performing in Poland’s largest cities: Wrocław, Poznań, Kraków, Warsaw, and Gdańsk. I think there’s great potential for development here. As mentioned earlier, we collaborate with the Embassy of Japan, the Legalna Kultura Foundation, and the Jagiellonian University’s Institute of the Middle and Far East, which support us in promoting these concerts as cultural events. This aligns with our main idea—to interest people in anime without overwhelming them with pop culture. I encourage all anime fans to bring along their siblings, parents, teachers, and anyone who notices but doesn’t understand their interest. Tell them: „take that first step and see for yourself.” And I promise it will be a fondly remembered first step.

The next Anime Symphony concert will take place on March 14 next year at the ICE Kraków Congress Centre.

The post Mozart, Pokémon, and the oldest symphony orchestra in Poland – an interview with Wiktor Kuliński from Anime Symphony first appeared on IndieGames.

Naša avantura na Magnificon Winter Expou 2024 – Nedjelja

Aleksandra Kubas — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 17:06:51 +0000

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!

The post Our Adventure at Magnificon Winter Expo 2024 – Sunday first appeared on IndieGames.

Naša avantura na Magnificon Winter Expou 2024 – Subota

Aleksandra Kubas — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 16:13:55 +0000

Magnificon Winter Expo 2024 is already over, however the excitement is still alive. Let’s revisit our first impressions of this festival. Saturday marked the official opening of the event, which featured numerous concerts, competitions, panels, and other attractions. Here’s what we managed to capture during the first day.

Fog as thick as curdled milk? Such minor inconveniences on the morning road to Magnificon couldn’t deter IndieGames from arriving at Expo Kraków right after the gates opened at 9:15. After picking up my accreditation, I had plenty of time to explore the numerous stands and attractions prepared for the day. And I must admit, there was a lot to see.

First stop: a panel about Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. We listened to a presentation about the history and development of the company, its most popular games, and also the controversies surrounding it. We also discussed issues like in-game transactions, DLC releases, and bug fixes. Iconic series like Diablo, World of Warcraft, Overwatch, and Starcraft were also mentioned, but mostly with a humorous twist.

After the panel, it was time for a Q&A session with international cosplay guests. Fans fired questions at Shunsuke from Switzerland, Ariderion from Serbia, Reika from Japan, and SayoChuu and SAB from Latvia. The cosplayers shared their experiences from competitions worldwide, inspirations for creating new costumes, and impressions of tasting Polish pierogi. SayoChuu and SAB even found a moment to talk to us about the beginnings of their careers, preparations for photo shoots, and gaming influences in their work – the interview will be available on our website.

At 2:00 PM, I joined the crowd at the main stage for the official opening of the event, followed by the Anime Symphony concert. An orchestra, soloists, vocalists, custom visuals, and timeless Japanese animations (including Sailor Moon, Attack on Titan, and Fairy Tail) combined to transport listeners into the world of their favorite anime. This became literal when the final piece, „The Rising Fighting Spirit”, turned the area in front of the stage into a race track. Members of Anime Symphony and the audience performed the legendary “Naruto Run” to the rhythm of the music. Naturally, I joined in, running afterward to meet the Anime Symphony team, where we learned about the behind-the-scenes details. You’ll find out more in our interview with Wiktor Kuliński, the mastermind behind this initiative, who also teased some plans for the near future.

Returning to gaming topics, the next panel focused on writing video game reviews. We approached this subject from two perspectives: the games themselves and the work of gaming journalists. We discussed classifying games into genres, evaluating their stories, and using access keys from publishers. The grand finale of this brainstorming session was meant to be a collaborative review, but it ended with jokes about IGN Poland’s review of Gothic II Complete Classic. Quoting the author: „6/10, it’s alright.”

That day, our gaming adventures extended beyond Gothic or World of Warcraft. Next on our schedule was a session on fashion design inspired by characters from Genshin Impact. We explored how the shape, color, and texture of clothing attract attention in gacha games and how this appeal resonates even with younger players. We also sought references to various cultures, architectural styles, and even modern fashion shows.

These distinctive elements were visible outside the panel too. In my free time, I happily visited the Genshin-themed village and its inhabitants (someone had to check if the tavern’s beer was real – sadly, it wasn’t). I also had the chance to drop by the Chunithm rhythm game tournament, where advanced players competed in a „dance battle royale”.

Saturday was filled with gaming, anime, and cosplay. The event kicked off at Naruto-running speed and didn’t slow down until the end of the day. It left us hungry for more adventures – we were eager to see if the second day would offer even more experiences and surprises. Spoiler: it did.

The post Our Adventure at Magnificon Winter Expo 2024 – Saturday first appeared on IndieGames.

Posjetili smo ovogodišnje zimsko izdanje Magnificon Expoa u Poljskoj

Aleksandra Kubas — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 12:53:07 +0000

The Magnificon Expo held in Poland, specifically in Krakow, successfully hosted another winter edition, which lasted from Saturday, October 30, to Sunday, December 1. Visitors, in addition to enjoying games, could have also enjoyed various concerts, cosplay performances, and other interesting activities. We particularly highlight the performance of Kota Shinzato, a Japanese actor and singer. For more details and the atmosphere from the event, check out our gallery!

The post We visited this year's winter edition of Magnificon Expo in Poland first appeared on IndieGames.

Dolazimo na Magnificon Winter Expo 2024 (poljska verzija)

Aleksandra Kubas — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 18:50:14 +0000

Z radością ogłaszamy, że redakcja portalu IndieGames weźmie udział w tegorocznej zimowej edycji konwentu Magnificon Expo, który odbędzie się w Krakowie w dniach 30 listopada – 1 grudnia. To cykliczne wydarzenie od ponad 20 lat zrzesza entuzjastów japońskiej popkultury, w tym fanów anime, gier planszowych, mangi, muzyki oraz, oczywiście, gier wideo. Fani z całej Polski, a także goście z zagranicy, przybędą do dawnej stolicy Polski, by przeżyć weekend pełen paneli dyskusyjnych, warsztatów, konkursów, a nawet doświadczeń kulinarnych.

Celem Magnificon Expo jest nie tylko promocja japońskich tradycji, trendów i dzieł sztuki, ale również kształtowanie polskiej sceny kulturalnej. Gry wideo nie stanowią wprawdzie głównego motywu tego wydarzenia, jednakże pomimo tego festiwal oferuje unikalne spojrzenie na świat gier dzięki konferencjom i panelom dyskusyjnym dotyczącym konkretnych tytułów i serii, kontekstów kulturowych danych gier oraz szeroko rozumianego przemysłu gier wideo, uwzględniając przy tym opinie na temat dziennikarstwa gamingowego.

Jak zwykle, uczestnicy tego wydarzenia będą mogli odwiedzić strefy tematyczne poświęcone różnym grom wideo. Jedną z nich będzie strefa CFA Gaming, gdzie gracze będą mogli wypróbować przeróżne gry na konsolę Nintendo Switch oraz najnowsze tytuły od Cenegi. Będą mieli również okazję wziąć udział w turnieju 1v1 w grze Tekken 8, gdzie główną nagrodą będzie edycja kolekcjonerska tej gry. Kolejna strefa stanowi wynik działań grupy Projekt Genshin, inicjatywy zrzeszającej fanów tego RPG. W ramach tej sekcji zostanie odtworzona wioska z gry, w której będzie można znaleźć charakterystyczne przedmioty, różne zadania, a także lokacje znane fanom. Ponadto, na wydarzenie przygotowana będzie również strefa wypełniona różnymi grami rytmicznymi, dzięki czemu odwiedzający będą mogli wybrać coś dla siebie spośród szerokiego wachlarza gatunków.

The post We are coming to Magnificon Winter Expo 2024 (Polish version) first appeared on IndieGames.

Dolazimo na Magnificon Winter Expo 2024

Aleksandra Kubas — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 10:55:33 +0000

We are thrilled to announce that IndieGames will take part in this winter’s edition of Magnificon Expo convention, which will be held in Cracow from November 30 to December 1. This periodic festival for over 20 years has been bringing together enthusiasts of Japanese pop culture, including anime, board games, manga, music and, of course, video games. Fans from all over Poland, as well as foreign guests, are heading to the former polish capital to experience a weekend full of panel discussions, workshops, contests and even some culinary activities.

The goal of Magnificon Expo is not only to promote Japanese traditions, trends and works of art, but also to shape Polish cultural scene in general. While video games are not the main focus in that case, the festival still offers an unique insight into the world of gaming with conferences and panel discussions concerning specific titles and franchises, cultural context of those games and also gaming industry in general, including opinions on gaming journalism.

As usual, during this event participants can also attend theme zones dedicated to video games. There will be a CFA gaming zone, where players can try out latest Nintendo games and newest titles from Cenega. They’ll also have a chance to compete in a 1v1 tournament in Tekken 8 with the main prize being a collector’s edition of the game. Another zone is run by Project Genshin, an initiative that brings together fans of the titular open-world RPG. For this section they’ll create a real life Genshin village full of characteristic objects, different quests and locations straight from the game. Moreover, there also will be an area filled with rhythm games of all sorts, so that visitors can choose between various kinds of genres.

The post We are coming to Magnificon Winter Expo 2024 first appeared on IndieGames.