The Hero Festival featured limited main stage programming, despite notable cosplay contests and actor Q&A sessions. A lively parade and a concert by the Neko Light Orchestra added excitement. The exhibit space was well-organized, showcasing diverse merchandise and pop culture stands, though the gaming area lacked independent games. While offering a variety of content, the festival faced criticism for repetitive programming and a need for more engaging guests, leaving attendees wanting more surprises and captivating experiences.
Event Highlights: Programming and Guest Appearances
Let’s delve into the programming aspect of the Hero Festival. Unfortunately, the main stage events over these two days seemed lacking in depth. While there were a few vibrant cosplay contests and Q&A sessions featuring the key actors of this 10th-anniversary celebration—Natalia Tena, Raphael Luce, and Michael Malarkey—the overall offering was quite limited. Luckily, the festival showcased a lively parade representing various universes, adding a touch of festivity to this special occasion. Additionally, attendees were treated to a delightful concert by the Neko Light Orchestra, who performed a memorable set that included music from Miyazaki’s beloved films, making for an unforgettable experience.
Aside from a handful of differences in concerts celebrating our cherished childhood cartoons, the programming on the main stage lacked variety. The schedule was nearly identical across the two days, although there was the Ludopolis stage featuring some activities and tournaments for Mario Kart, alongside the ComicCon Marseille stage. This new addition focused on engaging conferences, live drawing, and a fascinating talk with Aleksi Briclot, a concept artist from Marvel Studios. Despite the minimal changes to programs, the outdoor activities in the medieval village provided a refreshing sense of diversity.
As for the guest lineup, this year’s selection was fairly standard. Besides the three distinguished actors previously mentioned, attendees could also meet voice actors such as Dominique Vallée and Arnaud Laurent, along with Jean Robert Lombart from the series Kaamelott. Nostalgia was in the air with performances by Peter Lorne, Douchka, and Marie Dauphin, known for their work on 90s theme songs like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Lady Oscar. While the guest choices were plentiful, we were hoping for more exciting surprises to commemorate this significant milestone.
Exhibit Spaces: Diverse Stands with Familiar Faces
On the layout front, the Hero Festival surpassed the organization seen at Japan Expo Sud 2024. The convention featured three distinct halls, with the main stage housed in a dedicated area. The first hall was entirely themed around the Konoha universe, showcasing a variety of stands filled with merchandise, manga, and collectible figurines. This area was impressively comprehensive, making it a treasure trove for fans and collectors alike. Additionally, a vibrant K-pop village added to the festivities, offering much more than what is typically found at a single Japan Expo Sud event.
The second hall, known as Brocéliande, showcased intriguing creations, including a Steampunk-inspired village featuring characters from various franchises like Star Wars and Batman. However, it was unfortunate that this section, like Krypton, was quite limited in size. This area presented a mix of comic book authors, many of whom were lesser-known, alongside stands celebrating pop culture, including one featuring a DeLorean perfect for photo opportunities.
In comparison to the first hall, this space felt overly concentrated. Furthermore, the Ludopolis section, which focused on video games, fell short of expectations this year. The absence of independent game stands, which had been present in previous years, left the Ludopolis area lacking in excitement. While there were a few Xbox and Nintendo freeplay stations—offering games like The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom—and some Mario Kart and Just Dance tournaments, overall, it didn’t provide a satisfying experience. Despite the presence of more stands selling rare video games, the Hero Festival 2024 left us yearning for a more complete representation of gaming and comics.
In conclusion, what can we take away from this anniversary edition of the Hero Festival 2024? Firstly, the convention still delivers a higher quality experience compared to Japan Expo Sud. Furthermore, the event offers a more comprehensive range of content, ensuring that visitors could find something enjoyable across all presented universes, from manga to comics and video games to medieval and Steampunk themes. While there was certainly something for everyone, it’s fair to critique the festival for its repetitive programming and the need for more engaging guests and a robust gaming area. Ultimately, we left with a sense of enjoyment, tempered by the disappointment of not encountering more surprises or captivating activities and discussions.