International Tokyo Toy Show is one of the biggest toys, collectibles, and games expos in Japan. Organized annually by the Japan Toy Association, this year’s event is supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Featuring both Business and Pubic Days, the exhibition occupies three sprawling halls at the infamous Tokyo Big Sight, as well as the central atrium where a massive stage has been set up for Ultraman and Kamen Rider stage shows.

      

      

      

      

We only spent a few hours at the event (because reasons), but we came away with a sizable chunk of our disposable income duly disposed. There are plenty of ways to misplace your money accidentally on-purpose, from Takara Tomy’s selection of Tomica car and train models, to Bandai Namco’s mindboggling selection of mail-order plamo.

There are even hand-on demos for Char Aznable hybrid cars as well as Toyota build-an-actual-working-car kit, if fiddly bits of plastic are too last season for you. As for you bronies, there is a My Little Pony screening room as well as a photo op on the hour, every hour with a Pinky Pie mascot and cosplayer.

      

      

      

Featuring plenty of eye candy, tons of merchandise, better space planning, efficient crowd control, and free admission, Tokyo Toy Show 2013 is much better by leaps and bounds to the other Toy Convention being held in Manila this weekend. I know it seems unfair to compare the two, but if our cons in Manila keep touting themselves as “the biggest” or “the best”, they have to raise their game to international standards.

Honestly, how much longer are people willing to stew in each others’ sweat in the dark and cramped confines of Megatrade Hall? Don’t we — the fans and collectors, cosplayers and dealers, deserve something better? I can’t speak for everyone, but I definitely think I do 😐