Returning again for their summer iteration of the event, Wonder Festival 2025 rang in the summer months with another massive event for figure lovers, creators, and cosplayers alike! This year's event wasn't just host to a variety of new and upcoming figures, however; Wonder Festival 2025 Summer also featured a huge collaboration with the iconic, cult-classic anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion!
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The entrance to the Evangelion special area, complete with special art![/caption]
As Wonder Festival is known for, this summer's event showcased a massive variety of figures and other fan collectibles not just representing a massive spectrum of franchises, but also from a wide variety of creators both corporate and independent. On both sides, the figure world was represented with scale figures, garage kits, small and large statues, and even decorative and useful pieces of all kinds, with upcoming prototype figures also revealed to fans for the first time.
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One of many uncolored, prototype figures on display, giving fans a peek at what to look forward to.[/caption]
On one side of the event was the large corporate section, where companies in the figure and collectible/hobby sphere held their own booths and showcased their own products. While official companies had a large presence and highlighted both new and upcoming products in their lineup, the opposite haul also featured independent creators selling and showcasing their own work and pieces, with everything from accessories to full-scale statues on display that highlighted their creativity.
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In addition to corporate booths, independent merchants are also present, like these Dogu-goods sellers![/caption]
Although figurines and collectibles are a foundational piece of Wonder Festival, they weren't the only aspects of the event that drew in attendance and acclaim. Cosplay was a large staple of this year's Wonder Festival, with fans coming together both in and out of costume to celebrate their favorite franchises alongside the figures on display. Several stages with life performances and talks were also present throughout the halls, letting fans choose the way they interact with their favorite franchises and giving them a way to enjoy the event without strictly limiting it to figures.
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An up-close look at an adorable Blue Archive figure.[/caption]
This summer's Wonder Festival was also the home to an incredible collaboration, highlighting Neon Genesis Evangelion! Throughout the event venue, many of the key illustrations, posters, guidebooks, and more all showcased motifs or references to the series, such as this year's banner featuring the Wonder Festival mascots dressed as two of the Eva mechs, and art featuring the cast of the anime creating art, building figures, and more. A massive Evangelion section was also present at the event, featuring scenes, characters, and more in a wide variety of figure styles and sizes, from small, intricate scenes to massive, realistic statues.
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The outdoor banner of this year's Wonder Festival Summer, featuring the mascots dressed in Evangelion cosplay![/caption]
Whether you're interested in figures, cosplay, or the general sense of community and engagement with the Japanese hobby and pop-culture scene, this summer's Wonder Festival brought with it yet again a wonderful atmosphere and celebration of the world of figures and creation. Passionate fans in cosplay, one-of-a-kind handmade goods you can't get anywhere else, and the exciting air of new and upcoming releases in the figure world are only made better by the fact that this is the best place to see them in person, and with this year's Evangelion collaboration, that sense of excitement only skyrocketed. Who knows what's in store when Wonder Festival returns in winter?
The entrance to the Evangelion special area, complete with special art![/caption]
As Wonder Festival is known for, this summer's event showcased a massive variety of figures and other fan collectibles not just representing a massive spectrum of franchises, but also from a wide variety of creators both corporate and independent. On both sides, the figure world was represented with scale figures, garage kits, small and large statues, and even decorative and useful pieces of all kinds, with upcoming prototype figures also revealed to fans for the first time.
[caption id="attachment_233516" align="alignnone" width="1441"] One of many uncolored, prototype figures on display, giving fans a peek at what to look forward to.[/caption]
On one side of the event was the large corporate section, where companies in the figure and collectible/hobby sphere held their own booths and showcased their own products. While official companies had a large presence and highlighted both new and upcoming products in their lineup, the opposite haul also featured independent creators selling and showcasing their own work and pieces, with everything from accessories to full-scale statues on display that highlighted their creativity.
[caption id="attachment_233514" align="alignnone" width="2560"] In addition to corporate booths, independent merchants are also present, like these Dogu-goods sellers![/caption]
Although figurines and collectibles are a foundational piece of Wonder Festival, they weren't the only aspects of the event that drew in attendance and acclaim. Cosplay was a large staple of this year's Wonder Festival, with fans coming together both in and out of costume to celebrate their favorite franchises alongside the figures on display. Several stages with life performances and talks were also present throughout the halls, letting fans choose the way they interact with their favorite franchises and giving them a way to enjoy the event without strictly limiting it to figures.
[caption id="attachment_233515" align="alignnone" width="1441"] An up-close look at an adorable Blue Archive figure.[/caption]
This summer's Wonder Festival was also the home to an incredible collaboration, highlighting Neon Genesis Evangelion! Throughout the event venue, many of the key illustrations, posters, guidebooks, and more all showcased motifs or references to the series, such as this year's banner featuring the Wonder Festival mascots dressed as two of the Eva mechs, and art featuring the cast of the anime creating art, building figures, and more. A massive Evangelion section was also present at the event, featuring scenes, characters, and more in a wide variety of figure styles and sizes, from small, intricate scenes to massive, realistic statues.
[caption id="attachment_233517" align="alignnone" width="1634"] The outdoor banner of this year's Wonder Festival Summer, featuring the mascots dressed in Evangelion cosplay![/caption]
Whether you're interested in figures, cosplay, or the general sense of community and engagement with the Japanese hobby and pop-culture scene, this summer's Wonder Festival brought with it yet again a wonderful atmosphere and celebration of the world of figures and creation. Passionate fans in cosplay, one-of-a-kind handmade goods you can't get anywhere else, and the exciting air of new and upcoming releases in the figure world are only made better by the fact that this is the best place to see them in person, and with this year's Evangelion collaboration, that sense of excitement only skyrocketed. Who knows what's in store when Wonder Festival returns in winter?