Guests
Meeting your favourite sports star might get your heart pumping, but what about seeing the faces behind your waifus and husbandos? Does it excite you to find out how your favourite manga, anime, and stories are created? How can you not take a selfie with your idol cosplayer if you had the chance?
Get pumped up! Every year, SMASH! invites international guests to Sydney for the con, including voice actors and actresses from popular anime, directors, artists, cosplayers and more! Not only that, you can see them at a SMASH! Guest Event, or bring a trophy home in the form of an autograph.
2026 VIP GUESTS
Introducing our very first guest for SMASH 2026… IT’S MACKENYU!
Mackenyu born on November 16, 1996, in Los Angeles, the son of legendary Japanese actor and martial artist Sonny Chiba. Raised in the United States, he developed a wide range of skills from a young age, including Kyokushin Karate, gymnastics, water polo, and wrestling, alongside musical training in piano, saxophone, and flute. His early exposure to both performance and discipline helped lay the foundation for his acting career.
He rose to prominence with his role as Arata Wataya in the Chihayafuru series, earning the Japan Academy Newcomer of the Year Award in 2017. His career expanded internationally with appearances in Pacific Rim: Uprising and leading roles in films like Over Drive and the Rurouni Kenshin: Final Chapter. More recently, he gained global recognition as Roronoa Zoro in Netflix’s One Piece and continues to take on major roles across film and streaming projects.
His bounty hunter status is booming through Sydney as the crowds are gathering! Stay tuned for more details on schedules, photo opportunities and autograph meet & greet sessions.
To make sure you can sit with your friends and loved ones, please buy your SMASH! tickets in the same, single order. Please note that entry to his scheduled panel will be determined through a lottery system, so purchasing tickets together does not guarantee access but ensures you’re grouped together if selected.
Check out Mackenyu's Instagram here!
Notable Films
Next Guest Announced! Aussie V-Idol coming to town!
Let’s welcome Aries Faries, our next guest for SMASH! 2026
Aries is an Aussie V-Idol and variety Twitch streamer, with active involvement in the convention scene since 2022. She brings her virtual concerts to life using mocap technology
We are thrilled to have Aries join us for this year’s convention and share her talent in Sydney!
Check out Aries Faries Instagram | X (Twitter) | Twitch | Tiktok here!
Densetsu.EXE is an explosive, electric idol unit made up of three legendary beings!
Mint the yurei, Vicky the yokai, and Phoebe the yosei! Together the three sing in perfect harmony, protecting the moe culture they love so much while chasing dreams of idol stardom!✨
Won’t you become one of their loyal denshi and cheer them on to the very end!?⚡
Check out Densetsu.EXE’s Website | X (Twitter) | Youtube here!
AKrCos began cosplaying in 2014 and creates costumes based on characters from all forms of media including anime, cartoons, cinema, comic books, and video games.
She is proficient in videography, photography, makeup, sewing, wig styling, armour, and Social Media Marketing.
She has been making guest appearances at events for 12 years and enjoys spreading love for the community with fellow cosplayers and fans.
Outside of cosplay:
Prior to 2020, she studied Nuclear pharmacy and worked under an international modelling agency.
Currently, AKrCos works as a full-time romance game writer, Streamer, and Content Creator.
Check out AKrCos’ Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter) | Twitch | TikTok | Youtube here!
Notable Cosplays
Who could it be this year? More info coming soon...
Keep your eyes on our socials!