| Overload | |
|---|---|
 15th anniversary event logo in 2021, with the convention's mascot Nindoro-kun | |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | |
| Venue | The Cloud |
| Locations | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Inaugurated | 2006 |
| Attendance | 8000+ in 2025[1] |
| Organized by | Overload Committee |
| Website | overload.co.nz |
Overload, also known as Overload NZ (formerly Doujin Overload), is an annual two-day anime convention focusing on doujin, Japanese pop culture, exhibitors and artists held in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the first of its kind to run in New Zealand, and is considered the country's biggest anime and manga-focused convention.[2][3] Overload is regularly hosted at The Cloud, and acquired additional use of Shed 10 on Queens Wharf starting in 2024.
The next Overload event is scheduled to take place in 2026 at the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) from September 26–27.
Origins
Overload (the Doujin Overload) was founded in 2006 by Seong Oh, who opened the Graphic Novel Cafe store in 2002, an Auckland outlet specializing in English-language manga and anime merchandise.[1] The event was set up based on conversations in the Auckland doujin community about helping local artists showcase and sell their work, specifically inspired by the Comiket in Japan.[4] The first Overload convention took place on July 9 2006 at the Mercure Hotel on Queen Street, with 30 artists and 150 attendees.[1]
Programming
Overload previously ran as a single-day event every year apart from 2011 when it took place over two days. In 2023, the convention became an annual two-day event. Aside from the sale of artists' work, it includes comic and art competitions (since 2012), an art exhibition (since 2012) also featuring pieces from users of the Japanese art sharing website Pixiv, and a cosplay competition (since 2010). Overload has added events to its schedule such as live performances and Q&A panels on its main stage. There is an itasha display of cars decorated with anime-themed artwork, and a cosplay café with reservation and take-out options.[5]
History
Overload has become more diverse in recent years following the dropping of "Doujin" from the convention's name, with a focus on wider comic work from 2011 on.[6] Additional events have included the 2011 Game Development panel,[7] and the 2012 art exhibition at Unitec Snow White Gallery of Japanese anime artist Fuzichoco.[8][9] The event is notable for early support of cos-players from 2008 on.[10] In 2011, former World Cosplay Champion Yuri Inaba was an invited participant of Overload.[11]
In 2022, Overload held an exhibition featuring production art from the Evangelion series, supported by Groundworks Co., Ltd. and Bandai Namco Asia.[12] In 2023, the convention hosted an art exhibition showcasing the anime works of Studio Trigger, such as key background and concept art from Kill la Kill, Little Witch Academia and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, supported and approved by Studio Trigger.[13]
Notable international guests have included Junji Ito, creator of Tomie and Uzumaki; Paru Itagaki, creator of Beastars; Masahiko Ōtsuka and Hiroyuki Imaishi, directors from Gainax and founders of Studio Trigger. Autographed shikishi from guests and original drawings from mangaka who have attended previous Overload events are framed and displayed at the Graphic Novel Cafe in Auckland.[14]
In 2025, Overload saw participation from more than 500 artists and over 8000 attendees.[1]
Event History
| Year | Dates | Venue | Attendance | Featured Artists & Guests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 9 July | Mercure Hotel | 150[8] | Ethird (Simon Kao) |
| 2007[15] | 8 July | The Hyatt Auckland | Jianran Pan & W.L.Wong | |
| 2008 | 8 July | Ethird (Simon Kao) | ||
| 2009 | 26 July | Mercure Hotel | Paolo Alinea | |
| 2010 | 25 July | The Hyatt Auckland | 1000[8] | Jeremiah W. & Anthony Lau |
| 2011 | 26–27 July | 800 | Eddie & SnowWaltz | |
| 2012 | 22 September | The Pullman Hotel | 600 | Fuzichoco |
| 2013 | 28 September | ASB Stadium | 1600 (approx)[16] | Range Murata[17][18] |
| 2014 | 4 October | 2000 (approx)[19] | Yoshitoshi ABe | |
| 2015 | 26 September | Noizi Ito, Yuegene Fay | ||
| 2016 | 24 September | The Cloud | Yun Kōga, Reika (cosplay), A.K.Wirru | |
| 2017 | 30 September | Takuya Satō, Marina Kawano, Ying Tze (cosplay) | ||
| 2018 | 24 September | Hiromi Igarashi, Seiji Mizushima, KANAME (cosplay) | ||
| 2019 | 28 September | Junji Ito, Kurumi Purarine | ||
| 2021 | 24 April | Hiroyuki Asada, Alisa, Guillaume Devigne (Crypton Future Media) | ||
| 2022 | 8 October | Ai Kakuma, Hiroyuki Asada | ||
| 2023 | 15-16 April | Masahiko Ōtsuka and Hiroyuki Imaishi (Studio Trigger), Namihei Koshige, Vye (cosplay), CyYu | ||
| 2024 | 20-21 April | The Cloud, Shed 10 | 8000+[20] | Paru Itagaki, Setsuo Itō, SUOL, Shinnosuke Uchida, Thames (cosplay) |
| 2025 | 26-27 April | 8000+[1] | Yūki Kuwahara, Ilya Kuvshinov, Aki Irie, Kaoru Mori, Yosuke (cosplay), Wendy Martin, Acky Bright | |
| 2026 | 26-27 September | New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) | TBA |
See also
- Armageddon Expo, New Zealand's largest pop culture convention with a focus on anime, holding two annual events in Auckland at Auckland Showgrounds
External links
- Official website
- 2011 Convention in Photos (stuff.co.nz)
- 2009 Overload (Asia Down Under)
References
- ^ a b c d e Lin, Yiting (1 June 2025). "Naruto in the neighbourhood: Tracing the rise of anime in New Zealand". RNZ. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "Overload: About". Website. Overload.[dead link]
- ^ "Overload NZ - Can we get a hell yeah for NZ's biggest anime and..." Facebook. Overload NZ.
- ^ "Overload: History". Website. Overload. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
- ^ @OverloadNZ (21 March 2024). "Overload NZ Anime & Manga Convention on X: "The Cosplay Café will be re..." (Tweet). Retrieved 16 October 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ Davies, Johanna (15 July 2011). "Drawn in". NZ Herald. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
- ^ "Gaming Panel". Article. NZ Gamer. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
- ^ a b c "Art Exhibition". Article. Overload. Archived from the original on 22 June 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
- ^ "藤色 fuzishiki – Fuzichoco". Unitec New Zealand. Archived from the original on 22 September 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
- ^ Tan, Lincoln (15 July 2008). "'Cosplayers' craze grows". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
- ^ 작성자 (15 July 2011). "오버로드(Overload) 2011 행사 2009년 세계 코스프레 챔피온 유리 이나바 참가". Archived from the original on 22 September 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
- ^ "Overload Anime & Manga Convention - Powered by Eventzilla". Overload. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ @OverloadNZ (27 January 2012). "Overload NZ Anime & Manga Convention on X: "Overload is ..." (Tweet). Retrieved 2 May 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Exciting announcement coming soon?? Yes! The mystery..." Facebook. Overload NZ.
- ^ "What's On: NZ Herald". Website. New Zealand Herald. 5 July 2007. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
- ^ "Sponsorship information". Overload. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
- ^ "Range Murata to Attend Overload NZ 2013 as Special Guest". Anime News Network. 20 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
- ^ "进击的漫展！overload漫展9月28日再次引爆奥克兰". 20 August 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
- ^ "About Overload". Overload. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
- ^ @pixiv_en (26 April 2024). "pixiv English on X: "Huge thanks for letting us feature your art at the pixiv..." (Tweet). Retrieved 27 April 2024 – via Twitter.
