{{Short description|Anime convention in New Zealand}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=November 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}} {{Infobox Convention | name = Overload | image = Overload convention logo 2021.png | caption = 15th anniversary event logo in 2021, with the convention's mascot Nindoro-kun | status = Active | genre = {{ubl|Anime|Manga}} | venue = The Cloud | location = Auckland, New Zealand | country = New Zealand | first = 2006 | organizer = Overload Committee | attendance = 8000+ in 2025<ref name="RNZ">{{cite news|last=Lin|first=Yiting|title=Naruto in the neighbourhood: Tracing the rise of anime in New Zealand|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/chinese/562770/naruto-in-the-neighbourhood-tracing-the-rise-of-anime-in-new-zealand|accessdate=16 October 2025|newspaper=RNZ|date=1 June 2025}}</ref> | website = {{URL|http://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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Overload: About|url=http://overload.co.nz/about/about/|work=Website|publisher=Overload}}{{Dead link|date=October 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Overload NZ - Can we get a hell yeah for NZ's biggest anime and...|url=https://www.facebook.com/Overloadnz/posts/934544448673309|work=Facebook|publisher=Overload NZ}}</ref> 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 at the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) from 26–27 September 2026.
== 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.<ref name="RNZ" /> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Overload: History|url=http://overload.co.nz/about/history/|work=Website|publisher=Overload|access-date=23 September 2012|archive-date=31 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180331164055/http://www.overload.co.nz/about/history/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The first Overload convention took place on 9 July 2006 at the Mercure Hotel on Queen Street, with 30 artists and 150 attendees.<ref name="RNZ" />
==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, a collaborative wall where attendees can draw their own interpretations of the Vocaloid character Hatsune Miku, a mobile library with manga provided by Auckland Libraries, and a cosplay café offering both reservation and take-out options.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1770731844884910545|user=OverloadNZ|title={{proper name|Overload NZ Anime & Manga Convention on X: "The Cosplay Café will be re...}}|access-date=October 16, 2024}}</ref>
== 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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Davies|first=Johanna|title=Drawn in|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/aucklander/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503372&objectid=11034873|accessdate=24 August 2013|newspaper=NZ Herald|date=15 July 2011}}</ref> Additional events have included the 2011 Game Development panel,<ref>{{cite web|title=Gaming Panel|url=http://nzgamer.com/all/news/5227/overload-convention-in-auckland-features-gaming-panel.html|work=Article|publisher=NZ Gamer|access-date=23 September 2012|archive-date=2 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102163200/http://nzgamer.com/all/news/5227/overload-convention-in-auckland-features-gaming-panel.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the 2012 art exhibition at Unitec Snow White Gallery of Japanese anime artist Fuzichoco.<ref name="herald2011">{{cite web|title=Art Exhibition|url=http://overload.co.nz/events/art-exhibition/|work=Article|publisher=Overload|access-date=23 September 2012|archive-date=22 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622132330/http://www.overload.co.nz/events/art-exhibition/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=藤色 fuzishiki – Fuzichoco|url=http://www.unitec.ac.nz/unitec/snowhite/?p=1186|publisher=Unitec New Zealand|accessdate=24 August 2013|archive-date=22 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922185044/http://www.unitec.ac.nz/unitec/snowhite/?p=1186|url-status=dead}}</ref> The event is notable for early support of cos-players from 2008 on.<ref name=cosplay>{{cite news|last=Tan|first=Lincoln|title='Cosplayers' craze grows|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10521591|accessdate=24 August 2013|date=15 July 2008|work=The New Zealand Herald}}</ref> In 2011, former World Cosplay Champion Yuri Inaba was an invited participant of Overload.<ref>{{cite web|last=작성자|title=오버로드(Overload) 2011 행사 2009년 세계 코스프레 챔피온 유리 이나바 참가|url=http://www.goodday.co.nz/interview/58034|accessdate=24 August 2013|date=15 July 2011|archive-date=22 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922173557/http://www.goodday.co.nz/interview/58034|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2022, Overload held an exhibition featuring production art from the Evangelion series, supported by Groundworks Co., Ltd. and Bandai Namco Asia.<ref>{{cite web|title=Overload Anime & Manga Convention - Powered by Eventzilla|url=https://events.eventzilla.net/e/overload-anime--manga-convention-2138818833/|website=Overload|accessdate=2 May 2024|ref=aboutoverload}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=162900981677676953|user=OverloadNZ|title={{proper name|Overload NZ Anime & Manga Convention on X: "Overload is ...}}|access-date=May 2, 2024}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Exciting announcement coming soon?? Yes! The mystery...|url=https://www.facebook.com/reel/1493649041299570|work=Facebook|publisher=Overload NZ}}</ref>
In 2025, Overload saw participation from more than 500 artists and over 8000 attendees. Stalls range from creatives and retailers within New Zealand, those from Australia, and other overseas collaborators.<ref name="RNZ" />
=== Event History === {| class="wikitable" border="1" |- ! Year ! Dates ! Venue ! Attendance ! Featured Artists & Guests |- | 2006 | 9 July | Mercure Hotel | 150<ref name="herald2011" /> | [http://ethird.deviantart.com Ethird (Simon Kao)] |- | 2007<ref>{{cite news|title=What's On: NZ Herald|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10449636|work=Website|publisher=New Zealand Herald|accessdate=23 September 2012|date=5 July 2007}}</ref> | 8 July | rowspan="2"| The Hyatt Auckland | | [http://ichi-graphics.blogspot.com Jianran Pan] & W.L.Wong |- | 2008 | 8 July | | [http://ethird.deviantart.com Ethird (Simon Kao)] |- | 2009 | 26 July | Mercure Hotel | | Paolo Alinea |- | 2010 | 25 July | rowspan="2"| The Hyatt Auckland | 1000<ref name="herald2011" /> | [http://www.snowwaltz.com Jeremiah W.] & [http://alt-l.deviantart.com Anthony Lau ] |- | 2011 | 26–27 July | 800 | [http://www.collateralds.com Eddie] & [http://www.snowwaltz.com SnowWaltz ] |- | 2012 | 22 September | The Pullman Hotel | 600 | [http://www.fuzichoco.com Fuzichoco] |- |2013 | 28 September | rowspan="3"| ASB Stadium | 1600 (approx)<ref>{{cite web|title=Sponsorship information|url=http://www.overload.co.nz/sponsors/sponsor-information/|website=Overload|accessdate=5 October 2015|archive-date=26 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126180559/http://www.overload.co.nz/sponsors/sponsor-information/|url-status=dead}}</ref> | Range Murata<ref>{{cite web|title=Range Murata to Attend Overload NZ 2013 as Special Guest|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-09-20/range-murata-to-attend-overload-nz-2013-as-special-guest|publisher=Anime News Network|accessdate=19 September 2013|date=20 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=进击的漫展！overload漫展9月28日再次引爆奥克兰|url=http://news.skykiwi.com/na/yl/2013-08-19/165139.shtml|accessdate=24 August 2013|date=20 August 2013}}</ref> |- |2014 | 4 October | 2000 (approx)<ref>{{cite web|title=About Overload|url=http://www.overload.co.nz/about/overload/|website=Overload|accessdate=5 October 2015|ref=aboutoverload}}</ref> | Yoshitoshi ABe |- |2015 | 26 September | | Noizi Ito, Yuegene Fay |- |2016 | 24 September | rowspan="7"| 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 | rowspan=2| The Cloud, Shed 10 | 8000+<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1783798219580813486|user=pixiv_en|title={{proper name|pixiv English on X: "Huge thanks for letting us feature your art at the pixiv...}}|author-link=Pixiv|access-date=April 27, 2024}}</ref> | Paru Itagaki, Setsuo Itō, SUOL, Shinnosuke Uchida, Thames (cosplay) |- |2025 | 26-27 April | 8000+<ref name="RNZ" /> | Yūki Kuwahara, Ilya Kuvshinov, Aki Irie, Kaoru Mori, Yosuke (cosplay), Wendy Martin, Acky Bright |- |2026 | 26-27 September | New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) |colspan=5{{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|http://overload.co.nz}} * [http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/whats-on/5332204/Anime-ted-response-to-Kiwi-comic-fair 2011 Convention in Photos (stuff.co.nz)] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWuVeZOZ5r8 2009 Overload (Asia Down Under)]
== References == {{reflist}}
Category:Anime conventions in New Zealand Category:Book fairs in New Zealand Category:Comics conventions Category:Doujin Category:Recurring events established in 2006 Category:Organised events in Auckland