Anime Festival Asia is arguably Singapore's biggest anime, manga and Japanese pop culture event.

This year, there are more rules and policies for convention-goers to take note of, due to "heightened security concerns in Singapore, and past issues".

Here are some of the key rules:

Bag checks

• Similar to the Singapore Toys, Games and Comics Convention (STGCC), attendees have to undergo bag checks if they are carrying things bigger than a shoe bag (35 cm x 20 cm by 20cm)
• If otherwise, they may go through the express lane, but will still have their items visually inspected, and may be moved to the original bag check queue at the authorities' discretion.

While this is in light of everyone's safety with increased security concerns, many may find this highly inconvenient and creating long queues.

For cosplayers, it can become additionally troublesome as many plan on bringing their costume and items within luggage or bags -- especially for overseas attendees who may be coming straight from the airport.

Harassment

Anti-harassment rules have also been put in place.

• Any attendee has the right to reject requests for photos, and this includes guests.
• Permission or acknowledgement of the attendee should be asked before taking the photo.
• Any form of harassment and verbal, sexual, physical and psychological abuse will not be tolerated, and should anyone be a victim of such harassment, one should approach the event staff or notify the authorities.

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Costumes

This is probably to avoid a repeat of the infamous underboob saga in 2013.

• The event staff reserves the right to ask any attendee to leave the event area or request the attendee to change out of costumes that are deemed inappropriate.
• Examples of reasons include, but are not limited to indecent exposure (public exposure of genitalia, buttocks or breasts), outrage of modesty, public alarm (for example, a terrorist wearing a suicide vest), etc.
• Cosplayers who are taking on characters with military themes and military simulation hobbyists are encouraged to be mindful and make an indication or feature somewhere that the uniform is not real.
• Attendees should not engage in poses that are sexually suggestive or make cause for public alarm.

Check out the full list of rules and regulations here:

Previously, at AFA 2013:

Top photo via