After-party | Raffle | Culture | Language | Food & drink | Fashion & cosplay | Games | Films | Music, dance & performance | Art | Martial arts
Below are details of the events that are confirmed to be taking place at the 2023 festival so far.
For the times of the events at Doki Doki 2023 Saturday 9th, see the festival programme.
For the times of the events at Doki Doki 2023 Sunday 10th, see the festival programme.
Details of the events that took place at the previous festivals are available: 2022 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2013 | 2011
After-party
In the evening following the main festival on Saturday 9th, there will be a cosplay after-party with DJs playing J-pop/rock/dance, anime and video game themes.
Taking part in the evening event will be, DJ Neo Kei, DJ Happosai and DJ Chris Neon.
It will be held at The Sandbar (next door Sugden Sports Centre), from 1900 until 0100. Entry will be free-of-charge and open to people aged 18 and above only.
Raffle
The raffle will be taking place on Saturday on the Main Stage in Halls C&D.
A raffle, with all proceeds going to Doki Doki's supported charity. Please be aware the raffle will be drawn out on Saturday 9th afternoon at 1600 and you must be present at the ticket drawing to win any prizes.
Plus many more prizes to be announced!
Culture
Talks, panels, stalls and workshops on various aspects of Japanese culture.
Panel: Traditional Japanese Culture
Hosted by our Master of Ceremonies, Jason. A panel session with the following guests answering questions of anyone interested in Japan's rich historical culture:
This panel session will be taking place on Saturday and Sunday on the Main Stage in Halls C&D with the a selection of the folllowing guests.
Panel: Japanese Pop Culture
Hosted by our Master of Ceremonies, Jason. A panel session with the following guests answering questions on Japanese modern pop culture:
This panel session will be taking place on Saturday on the Main Stage in Halls C&D.
Talk: Aid for Japan
This talk session will be taking place on Saturday and Sunday on the Main Stage and Arts Stage in Halls C&D.
Rimika Solloway will give a talk about Aid for Japan, the charity her mother Akemi Tanaka founded to provide long-term support for orphans of the 2011 Tohoku disaster in Japan, which the Doki Doki Festival is pleased to support. This is the final year for Aid for Japan as well as our own festival so Rimika will talk about how the festival has progressed over the years.
Talk: When The Pen Is Mightier Than The Katana: Japanese writers and the exploration of creativity
This talk session will be taking place on Saturday in Talks Area with Jamie Ryder.
Throughout Japanese history, creativity has been a highly prized skill, expressed through various mediums. Perhaps the most powerful of all is the written word. Japanese creatives have used it to capture the changing circumstances of their worlds and shine a mirror back onto society.
Immortal poets like Ono No Komachi. The hilarious philosopher Sei Shonogan and her attention to detail. The father of Japanese short stories Ryunosuke Akutagawa and his voyage into human darkness. In this talk, Jamie Ryder looks at the lives of these three famous writers to see what creative lessons can be applied to today’s world.
Talk: Brands In Design in Japanese Culture
This talk session will be taking place on Saturday in Talks Area with Michelle Lyons.
Michelle will be talking about brands and attracting Japanese clients from a design perspective in Japanese culture and will share some of the projects she has worked on as she has worked with brands and organisations to develop engaging brand experiences that celebrate and promote Japanese culture.
Talk: Performance & Print: Relationships Between Kabuki and Ukiyo-e
This talk session will be taking place on Sunday in Talks Area with Jennifer Lynch.
Join Jennifer Lynch for this talk. From dances to all-day plays, kabuki quickly became the leading theatrical performance for the masses in the 17th Century and beyond. However, the history of its development is much more complicated than one would first think. Alongside this, printing processes were developing swiftly from monochrome to full colour single sheet prints. Together, these two very different art forms became powerhouses of culture in the Tokugawa Period (1603-1868). This talk explores the origin and development of kabuki, whilst showing how ukiyo-e (‘Pictures of the Floating World’) played an integral part in its popularity.
In 2022 Jennifer completed her PhD study in Art History with the thesis Perfection and Performativity in Print: Visual Analyses of Gender and Sexuality Portrayals in Popular Japanese Graphic Arts Since the 17th Century.
Talk: Building Communities Through Japanese Art
This talk session will be taking place on Sunday in Talks Area with Helena Cox.
Join Helena for her discussion on Japanese Art, "Between 2019 and 2021, I worked on an exhibition project celebrating Japanese arts in the UK. At the time, I was a curator at Beverley Art Gallery in East Yorkshire. In my research, I found out that the gallery had links to Marcus Huish, who was among the first people to introduce Japanese art in the UK at the end of the 19th century. I was thrilled to uncover hidden treasure of Japanese arts and crafts in the gallery’s collection. Excited by the connection between East Yorkshire and Japan, I organised a call out to local residents and together we co-curated a display called ‘Reflections of Japan in East Yorkshire” which was part of the official ‘Japan Season in the UK’. In my talk, I will uncover some of the amazing items exhibited as part of this project, and I will also focus on the power of Japanese art to bring together communities and create lasting legacies."
Talk: Anime Shows Tier List
This talk session will be taking place on Sunday in Talks Area with Jambareeqi.
"Anime Shows Tier List" is a LIVE tier list ranking of various anime shows, which will rely on the panel's audience to vote on each grade ranking. Jambareeqi is a Youtuber from Sheffield who specialises in Top 5 countdowns, film reviews, video essays, and cartoon series retrospectives.
Demonstration: Sencha Tea Ceremony
This talk session will be taking place on both days on the Arts Stage Halls C&D.
Demonstrations by Kumiko Murooka. Kumiko will demonstrate the correct process of sencha tea ceremonies on the Arts Stage Halls C&D, she will be showing different types of green teas and sweets associated with the ceremony.
Demonstration: Coy Carp Craft Workshop
This talk session will be taking place on Sunday 10th September on the Arts Stage in Halls C&D.
A demonstration by Yuka Harada-Parr on how to make an origami coi carp chopstick cover ornament with time to make one yourself. This craft workshop is limited to 30 people due to the space. This will be a precursor to the film premier screening of Eternal New Mornings in the Talks Room later in the day in the small talks room upstairs from the venues main entrance.
Talk & Taste: Getting To Know More About Sake
This talk session will be taking place on Saturday 9th September on the Arts Stage in Halls C&D.
Join Sake expert Miki for this pre bought ticketed event within the festival, please use the link from the picture to purchase tickets. Sake is Japanese national drink for more than 2000 years. They are traditionally brewed with care. There are many varieties of Sake, some are fruity & clear, some are rich & full body, just like wine. How to drink it- hot or cold? How strong are they? Sake and food- pairing with what type of cuisine? Participants will extend their knowledge of Sake on the day. Getting to know more about Sake, tasting Sake, and enjoy Sake! This is a ticket only paid for event, purchase from our website, limited to 1 per person and ticket holder must be 18+ please bring ID on the day.
Japan Society North West
The Japan Society North West (JSNW) was founded in May 2004. It is the successor to the UK Japan Society of the North West, which was founded in 1996 to provide a focus for local companies with business interests in Japan. Through meetings and other activities they provide opportunities for all those living in the northwest of England, and in north Wales, to understand and appreciate the people, culture and language of Japan.
The JSNW team will be supervising the Origami stall for charity.Art
Baka Senpai
"Baka Senpai is the UK’s first Itasha group. Itasha combines our love of anime, games, and vtubers with our love of cars. Over the past 3 years we have been slowly growing the itasha community here in the UK and attending anime events and car meets/events, and now have members from all over the country. We aim to continue growing the community further and continue to show that it doesn't matter what car you have, any car can become an itasha!"
JETAA
JETAAUK promote professional, cultural, educational, and social events and news to strengthen Anglo-Japan relations on a personal level. The JET Alumni Association is a voluntary organisation that provides a network for the alumni of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme.
Language
Activities involving the Japanese language.
Japanese language competition
This event will be taking place on Sunday on the Arts Stage in Halls C&D.
We are holding a competition for people learning to speak the Japanese language. It will be split into three levels: beginner, intermediate and advance. This event will be held on the Arts Stage in Halls C&D starting 1300 and finishing at 1400.
For an application form, please contact us. Or sign up at the main desk on the day
Food & drink
Sushi Craft
Menu;
- Fish Sushi Set
- Vegetable Sushi set
- Teriyaki Chicken Don
- Chicken Yakisoba Noodle
- Vegetable Yakisoba Noodle
- Chicken Katsu Curry and Rice
- Vegetable Katsu Curry and Rice
- Chicken Curry Wrap
- Strawberry Daifuku
Cake O’Clock Kitchen
Authentic Japanese bakery based in north Manchester. Keiko has trained under a famous pastry chef in Japan and will be bringing some of the following to the festival and will also be providing hot drinks.
Menu;
- Savory and sweet breads
- Japanese style sausage bread, Melon bread, etc
- Signature Chiffon cakes and Fuwafuwa cream cakes
RiceNow
Manchester based Japanese/Hong Kong fusion onigiri catering service.
Maki's Curry Buns
Curry Buns are very popular in Japan with people of all ages from children to the elderly. Maki wants to share curry buns with people in Rowarth, High Peak where she has settled and now wishes to share them with the visitors of Doki Doki.
Chu-Lo
A delicious Japanese inspired premium soft drink lovingly crafted for those with a thirst for everything out of the ordinary.
Chul-Lo is a company who makes refreshing soft drink with all the delightful, authentic taste and fruity sour fizz of Japanese Chuhai in three delicious flavours. Chu-Lo is an alcohol-free beverage so you can revel in the taste of Chu Lo and keep your head on the game. It’s the perfect refreshing companion for thirsty gamers of all stripes and an exotic cocktail mixer for adventurous party goers. Stephanie Buttery is the founder and owner of Chu-Lo Drinks. Having honed her leadership and management skills during her ten years with the British Navy, Stephanie set up a business to bring the taste of Japan to her native UK.
Chu-Lo will also be providing some hot meals at the festival including Katsu Curry or Onigiri to satisfy your appetite.
Meian Maid Cafe
Meian Maid Cafe will only be running on both days at the event.
Meian Maid Cafe is a pop up cafe inspired by those in Japan's Akihabara district. The cafe has a twist, which means their waitresses wear uniforms that have a sweet or a spooky theme, but overall are inspired by the concept of 'kawaii' or looking cute. The Maid Cafe culture endeavours to make customers feel at home, by serving delicious tea and cakes, performing dance routines from Japanese pop music, and playing games to ensure everyone is well-fed and relaxed!
Meian Maid Cafe is not for profit, all their proceeds go to Doki Doki’s supported charity. You can catch them at various Japanese culture events, anime conventions and at standalone events throughout the UK. Check their events page for details of when the next events will take place!
Fashion & cosplay
All attendees are encouraged to attend wearing traditional or contemporary Japanese fashion or cosplay.
Please read the cosplay rules on the Doki Doki FAQ, especially the props rules, which apply to all attendees.
There are male and female changing rooms with coin-operated lockers available on-site.
CLAM: Lolita and J-Fashion community for people who live in the North West of England.
CLAM will be around on both days at the event.
CLAM will also be running various activities on their table. Turn up at the CLAM table for discussion about JFashion and the community and a bring and buy JFashion clothing and accessories table.
Talk: Cosplay Couture! Designing and Making your own cosplay designs
Ever want to remix and change up your cosplay? Want to learn how to make It more unique and your style? From genderbends, to time twists and fashion inspired ideas, designing and remixing your cosplay designs is a great way to have more fun, and put your unique stamp on a cosplay. In this panel Helen Alice will be talking all about how to make cosplays uniquely yours, and how to create designs which you’ll love to wear. How to get started in designing, making mood boards, taking ideas from fashion, video games and expressing your unique style through costume making.
This talk session will be taking place Sunday on the Cosplay & Fashion Stage.
Talk: Cosplay Beyond Conventions
Join Alovxra for a talk on how the world of cosplay is going more mainstream and appearing in the world outside of conventions.
This talk session will be taking place Sunday on the Cosplay & Fashion Stage.
Talk: Body Confidence in Cosplay
Join Pixie Cakeface as she discusses about Body Confidence in your cosplay.
This talk session will be taking place Saturday on the Cosplay & Fashion Stage.
Panel: Cosplay Q&A
A panel session hosted by Gutsy_Cosplayer & HuskyNinja with the following guests answering questions on cosplay:
This panel session will be taking place on both days on the Cosplay & Fashion Stage.
Panel: J-fashion Q&A
A panel session hosted by CLAM with the following guests answering questions on J-Fashion and will discuss lolita, gyaru and decora amongst other styles:
This panel session will be taking place on Saturday on the Cosplay & Fashion Stage.
Kevin Pack Photography
Kevin Pack is our festival photographer for this year. Meet him in Hall C&D where he will be set up to take your cosplay or fashion photographs.
Cosplay competition
A Cosplay Championship and Cosplay Masquerade with prizes will be judged by a panel of cosplay guests on the Cosplay & Fashion Stage..
Full details of both cosplay competitions are available on the Doki Doki FAQ.
The Cosplay Championship is open to age 16+ only and the costume must be 80% made by the entrant. The Championship will only be running on the Saturday of the festival.
The Cosplay Masquerade is open to everyone regardless of age or made/bought costume and will be running on both days of the festival.
Fashion show
This fashion show will be taking place on both days on the Cosplay & Fashion Stage.
If you’ve got a real passion for fashion and fancy showing off your latest J-style creation or your favourite kawaii outfit on the new DokiDoki runway stage, why not sign up and take part – it’s free to anyone with an event entry ticket.
The Fashion Show is not a competition, every entry will be put in a raffle to win prizes.
Demonstration: Kimono Dressing
Demonstrations by Aid For Japan. At the Aid For Japan stall in Hall A&B the team will teach and show how to dress in a kimono correctly throughout the day.
Kimono Fashion Show
Jill Clay who runs Festival of Japan will demonstrate and display various styles of kimono and yukata.
This kimono fashion show will be taking place on both days on the Main Stage and the Cosplay & Fashion Stage in Halls C&D.
Games
Video games
The Nights of Gaming
The Nights of Gaming will be providing a selection of modern and retro Japanese video games to play in our Retro Game area. The Nights of Gaming will be bringing along the following retro systems; Mega Drive, SNES, Famicom, Saturn, Dreamcast and N64. The Nights of Gaming will be located in Halls A&B. They run an event every month in Fab Cafe Manchester, see their website for details.
Entasy League
"Grab your switches and bring your partner pokemon, because the Entasy league is here! A traveling fan-made pokemon league, the Entasy league are a minor league from Galar, who consist of gym leaders who can't wait for you to challenge them to a battle, and will even give you a real gym badge if you win! From fabulous fairy types to fearsome fire types ,the Entasy league can't wait to bring that thrill of a real life gym challenge to the real world! Make sure you bring your sword and shield games, and be sure your team has no legendaries in it, because where's the fun without a fair fight?"
Yu-Gi-Oh!
This tournament will be taking place on both days in the card gaming area in Halls A&B.
A Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card game tournament with a prize for the overall winner. Sign-up will be on the day. Yu-Gi-Oh! Deck list needed, 40 minute rounds, best of 3, Normal banlist followed. This event will be held at 1200. This area has a new disabled lift for access, please ask the sports hall staff to assist you. Prizes are sponsored by FanBoy3.
Card Games and Demonstrations
FanBoy3 are hosting various card game demonstrations and events near their stall over the weekend, join the to learn TBC games. The card gaming area is located in Halls A&B Saturday: Disney Lorcana and One Piece Card game. Sunday: Weiß Schwarz and One Piece Card game. Book in a slot for you and your friends at the Fanboy3 table and get discounts on the games you've demoed.
Go
Demonstrations of the ancient board game of Go by the British Go Association. Located in Halls C&D.
Traditional Japanese Board Games
Discover the world of traditional Japanese card and board games! JPLAY - Timeless Games will be providing a selection of traditional Japanese board games such as Shogi and Hanafuda. The board gaming area is located in Halls C&D.
Films
Anime film screenings throughout the day.
Saturday film screenings, all films will be shown in Japanese with English subtitles.
Miss Hokusai
Directed by Keiichi Hara, 2015; cert. 12; anime; subtitled; released by All The Anime; trailer
11:20-12:50.
Miss Hokusai is a Japanese historical manga series written and illustrated by Hinako Sugiura. Adapted into an anime film and released in Japan in 2015 and this year in the UK. Set in 1814, Miss Hokusai focuses on O-Ei, the daughter of famed artist Tetsuzo, better known by his pen name Hokusai, as she tries to navigate the various aspects of her life. O-Ei spends the bulk of her time assisting her divorced father who cares about his art and not much else.
The Garden of Words
Directed by Makoto Shinkai, 2014; cert. 12; anime; subtitled; released by All The Anime; trailer
13:00-13:45.
The Garden of Words is a 2014 Japanese anime drama directed and edited by Makoto Shinkai, The film was made into a manga, with illustrations by Midori Motohashi, and later novelized by Shinkai, both in the same year as the film. When Takao, a young high school student who dreams of becoming a shoe designer, decides to skip school one day in favour of sketching in a rainy garden, he has no idea how much his life will change when he encounters Yukino.
009 RE:Cyborg
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, 2012; Cert. 12A; Anime; Subtitled; Released by All The Anime; Trailer
13:55-15:40.
Once there were nine cybernetic heroes who had long fought for justice. But as their struggle finally restored peace, they eventually disappeared from the pages of history and from people's memory...
2013: Skyscrapers across the world are hit by suicide bombers with no apparent connection. The nine heroes gather once again after three decades to fight against this faceless menace. They appear untouched by time, but society around them has changed dramatically, as has the very idea of justice they used to believe in...
What is their role in the world now?
Kamikaze Girls
Written & Directed by Tetsuya Nakashima, 2004; Cert. 12; Live Action; Subtitled; Released by Third Window Films; Trailer
15:50-17:32.
Meet Momoko, a self-absorbed dreamer who fantasizes about fleeing her backcountry home and living life in 18th century Versailles.
When she unexpectedly meets the rebellious Ichigo, a rough-and-tumble biker chick, the two misfits form a unique friendship -- together, nothing can stop them!
Sunday film screenings, all films will be shown in Japanese with English subtitles.
Eternal New Mornings (Ari Fureta Mirai)
Directed by Toru Yamamoto, 2023; Cert. U; Live Action; Subtitled; Trailer
15:00-17:30.
A "story about facing life" set in Miyagi prefecture, 10 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Doki Doki Festival is excited to announce that we have the rights to a film premiere of Eternal New Mornings. There will be an introduction before the screening with words from the director and a quick talk from Yuka Harada-Parr who has been instrumental in subtitling the film for the west and promoting the film.
The original story is inspired by the book "Ikasarete Ikiru: Telling Live Lessons from the Great East Japan Earthquake" written by Yukio Saito, who continues to give lectures on disaster prevention education and other topics as a storyteller of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
A pro boxer who keeps fighting even after the age of 30 and his wife. A woman fighting terminal cancer, who wants to stay alive as long as she can to attend her daughter’s wedding. Young stage actors who play out the “story of a soul”, while feeling nervous about their future. And lastly, a middle school girl who lost family members in a disaster and now has thoughts of suicide. Each of the characters has a different problem to deal with, but all of them are stories about facing life.
A story about living and surviving, and a future that will resonate with viewers everywhere.
Summer Wars
Directed by Mamoru Hosoda, 2009; Cert. 12; Anime; Subtitled; Summer Wars; Trailer
11:20-13:15.
Eleventh grade maths genius, Kenji, agrees to take a summer job at the Nagano hometown of his crush, Natsuki. When he arrives, he finds that her family have reunited to celebrate the 90th birthday of the family matriarch and his job is to pretend to be Natsuki's fiance.
Meanwhile, his attempt to solve a mathematical equation causes chaos in the on-line virtual world of OZ and it is up to Kenji, Natsuki and her family to bring OZ back under control.
Noiseman Sound Insect
Directed by Koji Morimoto, 1997; Cert. 12; Anime; Noiseman Sound Insect; Trailer
13:25-13:40.
In a world of music and musical plants, a mad scientist is experimenting with the seeds of those plants to create a child, Noiseman. After giving Noiseman a potion to grow faster the scientist couldn't control him anymore and accidentally split his body into a ghost and a crystal with a machine of his. Noiseman is now in control of the whole city, brainwashing people to capture those ghosts and telling the people that the music fruit is forbidden.
Tobio who also was brainwashed got hit by a music fruit and remembered the past, where everyone would enjoy the music. He tries to convince Noiseman that his doing is wrong and that he should return the captured ghosts to their crystals but without success. Now the underground people are trying their best to help the ghosts with the help of Tobio's childhood friend.
A Letter to Momo
Directed by Hiroyuki Kazuo, 2011; cert. PG; anime; subtitled; released by All The Anime; trailer
13:50-15:50.
A Letter to Momo is a 2011 Japanese anime drama written and directed by Hiroyuki Okiura. Following the death of her father Kazuo, Momo and her family travel from Tokyo to the Seto Inland Sea. Momo carries her father’s unfinished letter, which contains only the words "Dear Momo".
Tokyo Godfathers
Directed by Satoshi Kon, 2003; cert. 12; anime; subtitled; Tokyo Godfathers; trailer
16:00-17:32.
One Christmas Eve after watching a children's performance of the nativity scene, three homeless people—a middle-aged alcoholic man named Gin, a crossdresser named Hana, and a dependent teenage runaway girl named Miyuki—discover an abandoned newborn while searching through the garbage for presents.
Deposited with the unnamed baby is a note asking the unknown finder to take good care of her and a key, leading to a bag containing clues to the parents' identity. The trio sets out to find the baby's parents.
Music, dance & performance
Panel: Japanese Music
Hosted by our Master of Ceremonies, Jason. A panel session with the following guests answering questions of anyone interested in traditional Japanese Music and instruments:
This panel session will be taking place on Saturday and Sunday on the Main Stage in Halls C&D with a selction of the following guests answering questions on each day.
Music Event: Kaminari UK Taiko
Kaminari UK will be performing Saturday 9th only on the Music, Martial Arts and Dance Stage.
Performances of taiko, traditional Japanese drumming, by Kaminari UK.
Kaminari UK Taiko Drummers are a Japanese-style drumming group - an energetic and dynamic form of drumming originating in Japan. Kaminari, which means “thunder”, are well-known for their dynamic and entertaining shows, showcasing a variety of styles of drumming – from traditional festival pieces to original compositions. They have been firm favourites at Japan days, charity events and music festivals across the UK since 2009. They are delighted to return to Doki Doki on Saturday 9th.
Music Event: Tengu Taiko
Tengu Taiko will be performing Sunday 10th only on the Music, Martial Arts and Dance Stage.
Performances of taiko, traditional Japanese drumming, by Tengu Taiko.
Feel the power of the Japanese drums with the Tengu Taiko Drummers who play both traditional and contemporary pieces. Their performances are energetic, exciting, and are as much a visual show as they are to listen to. Their performance also includes the Shishimai lion dance. A traditional Japanese dance in which performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume to festival music, which is rarely seen in the UK. Tengu Taiko Drummers have also recently appeared on the big screen in 'Doctor strange and the Multiverse of Madness'.
Music Event: Traditional Japanese Musical Jam Project
This event will take place on Saturday only on the Music, Martial Arts and Dance Stage.
Aziz Ibrahim will head up a traditional Japanese musical jam with a number of traditional Japanese musicians. This is something new and original and you heard it at Doki Doki 2023 first.
Aziz Ibrahim is a British musician from Manchester best known for his work as guitarist with Simply Red, The Stone Roses and their former vocalist Ian Brown, also a member of the H Band with Marillion's lead singer Steve Hogarth. Ibrahim founded the Longsight Manchester based label Indus Records Ltd.
The following guests will be playing or singing their favourite traditional Japanese compositions along side a modern composition to create a unique and spectacular on the day event:
Music Event: MION
This event will take place on Sunday only on the Music, Martial Arts and Dance Stage.
MION is a Japanese singer-songwriter currently based in the UK on a Global Talent Visa. She has been active professionally for over 10 years in Japan releasing 11 solo singles and 1 with the group J4J. Her hit single Summer Magic topped the Oricon Singles Charts in 2016 and her other more recent singles Alive, Want You Back and S.O.S -Soul of Steven- have also placed high on the Japanese music charts. MION’s genre of music include J-Pop, J-Rock and ballad. She will be performing a mixture of her own original music and covering a selection of famous Japanese anime songs."
Music Event: Sumie Kent playing Koto
Sumie will be performing both days on the Music, Martial Arts and Dance Stage.
Performances on the koto, a traditional stringed instrument, by Sumie Kent. Sumie started to play Koto aged 8, under Ikuta-Ryu Michio Miyagi School, trained by Ryoko Asamizu and Tadashi Tajima, she played in Hokkaido, Osaka, Yokohama and Okayama in Japan. After moving to the UK she has played at many concerts and events, notably; Pulse Project at Huddersfield University, Women of the World, Introducing music from East to West in London and a Wagamama advert.
Music/Dance Event: Awa Siren performing Awa Odori
Awa Siren will be performing both days.
Dancer Awa Siren Awa Odori will give dance performances during the day.
Music/Dance Event: Yosakoi London: Temuzu
Yosakoi London will be performing Saturday only on the Music, Martial Arts and Dance Stage..
Yosakoi London: Temuzu are a yosakoi dance group who meet regularly in central London. If you are interested, you can just go along to any of their meetings. Whether you want to dance or just say hi, they are always happy to see new faces.
Yosakoi is a Japanese dance style which combines elements of traditional Japanese dance and music with a large variety of modern influences, and is performed at a number of festivals throughout Japan.
Music Event: Akari Mochizuki
Akari will be performing both days on the Music, Martial Arts and Dance Stage.
Akari Mochizuki is the only enka (Japanese blues) singer in UK.
Akari started singing enka at the age of three. Akari studied drama in Cambridge and modern music in London and started working as a professional singer in 2009. She has performed for numerous occasions, including events at the British Museum, WOMAD, Hyper Japan and Japan Matsuri. She has appeared in BBC Radio 3 programme 'The Verb' and sung Enka songs for the local listeners.
Music Event: LJ English
LJ English will be performing on both days on the Music, Martial Arts and Dance Stage.
The world’s only British singer of Japanese enka, LJ English sings classics from the showa era by singers such as Yoshi Ikuzo, Mitsuko Nakamura, Yoshio Tabata, Kiyohiko Ozaki, Hideo Murata and the legendary Hibari Misora. Discover a rich history of Japanese popular music, right here in the UK, with LJ English.
Music Event: YUMI Visual Kei Band
This event will take place on Sunday only on the Music, Martial Arts and Dance Stage.
YUMI are a Visual Kei band based in Liverpool and are the UK’s first type of band in this genre. "People who have attended our past performances have said we are an authentic Visual Kei experience and could start a Visual Kei revolution in the UK if we are lucky enough, and that is our goal!"
DJ Neo Kei
DJ Neo Kei will be playing a variety of styles of Japanese popular music throughout the day and at our evening event in The Sandbar in association with the MUAS.
DJ Chris Neon
DJ Chris Neon will be playing a selection of rave music from Japan, including remixes of J-Pop, anime theme songs, and video game music at our evening event in The Sandbar in association with the MUAS.
Music Event: Jenny Hayes Idol
Jenny Hayes Idol will be performing Saturday only on the Music, Martial Arts and Dance Stage.
Jenny Hayes is a UK based rock idol whose main goal is to promote her love of Jrock, alternative idols and visual kei. She has performed on the UK convention scene for many years with powerful vocals to bring fire to the stage with her singing covers and original music. By unleashing her tiger spirit, her goal is for everyone to rock out and never be afraid to express their true self!
Music/Dance Event: Ember Idols
Ember Idol will be performing on both days on the Music, Martial Arts and Dance Stage.
"We are Ember idols, a manchester based love live idol group! We’re so excited to perform and we hope you’ll come and support us over the weekend!"
Music/Dance Event: Idol: Maid Fuka
Maid Fuka will be performing on both days on the Music, Martial Arts and Dance Stage.
Also back this year is the wonderful Maid Fuka who is a Karaoke Idol! Inspired by her love of singing and Performing in the Maid cafes she's been apart of, She sing songs from anime, games as that is her passion and also help her improve her singing along the way. So get ready to clap and sing along with her has she love to see you smile and have fun when she performs. On Saturday she will be running various events at her stand all for charity.
Music/Dance Event: Meian Maids
Meian Maids will be performing a routine on Sunday only on the Music, Martial Arts and Dance Stage.
Doki Doki 2023 is happy to announce a dance routine from the Meian Maids who will also be running the Maid Café this year in Halls A&B on both days.
Music/Dance Event: Nightingale Cosplay
Nightingale Cosplay will be performing both days on the Cosplay & Fashion Stage and the Music, Martial Arts and Dance Stage.
Cosplay Guest Nightingale Cosplay will be doing a dance routines on both days. Nightingale is an aspiring cosplayer and dancer from Birmingham.
Music/Dance Event: Idol: Odoriimin'
Odoriimin will be performing Saturday only on the Music, Martial Arts and Dance Stage.
Odoriimin' dancing idols are back for another Doki Doki Festival! This year, members Jasmine, Jem and Izzy invite you to watch their Saturday performance of nostalgic jpop and vocaloid songs straight out of your highschool YouTube playlist. Bring your lightsticks and get ready to clap and chant along as we transport you to 2010s Akihabara!
Art
Various activities involving different forms of Japanese art.
Demonstration: Japanese Calligraphy
Demonstrations by Aid For Japan. At the Aid For Japan stall in Hall A&B the team will teach and show how to do Japanese Calligraphy throughout the day. All donations go to charity.
Origami
Lessons in origami, the traditional Japanese art of paper folding will be run by the Japan Society North West team on Saturday only, with proceeds going to Doki Doki's supported charity.
The Japan Society North West team will be available in Hall A&B to demonstrate origami on both Saturday and Sunday.
Talk: Manga Storyboarding and Page Layout
This talk session will be taking place on Saturday in Talks Area with Sonia Leong.
Join Sonia as she explains the processes behind creating a manga of your own.
Artist demonstrations
At Doki Doki 2023 we have artist guests who will be running art demonstrations at their table and in the new Arts Stage. Please visit them for advice and help in all your art projects.
These art demonstrations will take place on Saturday and Sunday on the Arts Stage in Halls C&D.
Saturday
Sunday
Artist panel
Hosted by our Master of Ceremonies, Jason. A panel session featuring some of the artists attending the festival, where they will answer questions put to them by the festival organisers and the audience.
This panel session will be taking place on Saturday and Sunday on the Main Stage in Halls C&D.
Art competition
This competition session will be taking place on both days with prizes on both days.
Draw a piece of art inspired by anime, manga, video games, Japanese culture, etc. The only rule is that the entry must be drawn on the day on official competition entry paper. The event will run from 1200 to 1500 in Hall A&B seating area and is judged by this years artist guests.
Martial arts
Martial Arts panel
Hosted by our Master of Ceremonies, Jason. A panel session featuring some of the martial artists attending the festival, where they will answer questions put to them by the festival organisers and the audience.
This panel session will be taking place on Sunday on the Main Stage in Halls C&D.
Demonstrations of various forms of Japanese martial arts.
Circle Martial Arts
Circle Martial Arts will be demonstrating on both days on the Music, Martial Arts and Dance Stage.
Demonstrations on both days of samurai and shinobi (ninja) martial arts by Circle Martial Arts.
Black Tiger Martial Arts
Black Tiger Martial Arts will be demonstrating on both days on the Music, Martial Arts and Dance Stage.
Demonstrations of the Ashihara Karate one of many "full contact" systems in karate emphasizing realistic combat, physical toughness, and practicality in it's training curriculum by Black Tiger Karate Dojo.