Finally, it’s that time of year when I’m surrounded by amazing people, representing MKAU Gaming, and capturing wonderful photos and videos. As this was my first SUPANOVA event held at the Melbourne showgrounds, I felt a bit nervous about what to expect, but I’m so glad I attended and joined in on the fun.

On Saturday morning, the gates opened to a rush of people eager to explore the venue and what it held inside. Once I finally got in, I was greeted by a dozen cosplayers, along with family and friends, enjoying themselves and having an absolute blast. As I slowly made my way around the venue, I encountered huge buildings filled to the brim with comic displays, gaming stages, and booths. When I say SUPANOVA has it all, I’m not lying. This event caters to all audiences.

On the first day, I spent most of my time in the Exhibitor’s Hall, with stalls as far as the eye could see. The right side was filled with stages and free-to-play zones. A dedicated esports stage offered patrons a chance to test their skills against each other with a friendly Rocket League tournament, but let’s ignore the fact that I need to improve my Rocket League skills to match the pro gamers.

Some of the other stages hosted Q&A sessions featuring a variety of booksellers, cosplayers, and creators – even comic book authors and celebrity voice actors. One of the biggest attractions in the Exhibitor’s Hall was the SUPANOVA Superstars, featuring signings and photos.

Some of these stars included Neil Fanning, known as the voice of Scooby Doo in Scooby Doo: Monsters Unleashed, and Sarah Notochenny, who voiced none other than Pokemon’s very own Ash Ketchum, the Pokemon trainer – GOTTA CATCH’ EM ALL! This was not her only work; she has also acted in animations like “Alya Hides Her Feelings in Russian” and “Tokyo Revengers.”

Now, this only scratches the surface of the remarkable talent present, from voice actresses to film actresses and many more. Not to mention, the turnout for getting photos or autographs with the stars was insane, with huge lines and security forces in place to deter any mischief, making taking photos or videos from a distance a daunting dilemma. One thing I thought was cool was the Star Wars stand, which featured an R2-D2 droid zooming around the booth area.

Up next was Sunday, which was mostly dedicated to the other buildings. First was The Alley; a full-on experience featuring stalls of hand-crafted goods known as the Created Collectables Zone. This area was filled with talented crafters selling their handmade creations to the public and promoting their businesses. Prints Paradise showcased a variety of paintings and prints that clearly reflected the artists’ dedication, including personal pieces and animated characters from popular shows.

The Indie Press Zone was dedicated to storytellers of all kinds, from up-and-coming authors to manga and mini-comic creators, each with their unique take on creativity. Not to mention, there was a huge Star Wars stand, complete with a throne and an amazing speeder bike, and they were allowing people to take photos.

Last was the Comic Supa-Stars Zone, home to comic creators, including some well-known authors and international talent. Among them was Jon Sommariva, a notable figure who has created comics for major brands, with a portfolio ranging from DC Comics to Marvel. With his vast expertise, he also worked as a concept artist and illustrator for Disney, Nickelodeon, and more.

My tour concluded at the Supa Market Zone; an area filled with collectables and imports, but let me put it another way, “Stuff that isn’t available anywhere else.” After exiting The Alley, I found myself back in the Exhibitor’s Hall at the Esports booth, watching players slog it out in VR Tennis. I found it quite enjoyable to watch two players swinging their arms, trying to achieve the highest score.

After having my fill of VR Tennis, I made my way to the Cosplayers Zone, which was bustling with amazing costumes. At that time, the area was alive with a cosplay competition, where some of the best costume makers I’ve ever seen demonstrated their talents, sometimes with entertaining skits and incredible performances. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring my outfit, so I had to watch from the back.

As the weekend celebrating all things pop culture came to a close, I left SUPANOVA with many great memories. I wish we were as lucky as Queensland is to have two SupaNova events throughout the year, as I don’t want to wait a whole twelve months to go again. To the new friends I made this year, it was a pleasure, and to the new ones I’m sure to meet, I can’t wait to see you there!