Cosplayer Hakken set to team up with MPO for anime concert series

Superstar guest: cosplayer Hakken is set to light up MPO's 'Symphonic Anime IV' concert series at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas on April 28 and 29. Photo: MPO

Fans of Sarawak-born cosplayer and model Hakken are in for a treat at the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra’s (MPO) Symphonic Anime IV concert at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) in KLCC on April 28 and 29.

Hakken is known for strikingly accurate portrayals of anime and manga characters, and this unique collaboration with the MPO concert is bound to be an unforgettable occasion for cosplay enthusiasts and lovers of anime.

The 24-year old superstar, who has more than 3.8 million followers on Instagram, was also appointed as Tokyo Tourism Ambassador by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government last year.

As a versatile and stylish performer, Hakken's list of favourite characters include Itachi from Naruto, Nanami Kento and Suguru Geto from the Japanese manga series Jujutsu Kaisen right to video game and mobile game characters.

MPO conductor Naohisa Furusawa - wearing an Ultraseven costume - leading the line at the 'Symphonic Anime' concert series at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas in Kuala Lumpur last year. - MPO

The concert, which is part of the MPO’s 25th anniversary celebration, is also the orchestra's fourth instalment of the popular Symphonic Anime series.

It will be led by MPO’s resident conductor Naohisa Furusawa, who has been a popular fixture at these shows with his passion for anime shining through. Not to forget his costumes on stage which add to the anime fun.

The upcoming Symphonic Anime IV concert is set to feature soundtrack works such as Spirited Away: One Summer Day, Howl’s Moving Castle: Merry Go Round Of Life, My Neighbour Totoro: The Path of Wind and Kiki’s Delivery Suite, all written by acclaimed Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi (who has composed over 100 film scores including popular collaborations with Studio Ghibli films).

Kicking off the second half of the concert is Space Battleship Yamato: Suite by Hiroshi Miyagawa, followed by many well-loved pieces like Revo’s rousing Attack On Titan: Guren No Yumiya, Hirano’s hauntingly suspenseful Hunter x Hunter: Kingdom Of Predators, and Takanashi’s energetic Fairy Tail: Dragon Force Theme and Naruto Shippuden: Departure To The Front Lines.

Symphonic Anime IV is on at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas in Kuala Lumpur on April 28 (8.30pm) and April 29 (11am and 8.30pm). More info: here.