Anime enthusiasts, get ready for a five-day immersive experience! The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and BRAG are bringing the inaugural Animenia Abu Dhabi festival to Manarat Al Saadiyat from October 23rd to 27th, 2024. This event promises to be a haven for anime and video game fans, offering a unique blend of entertainment, interactive experiences, and celebrity appearances.

Animenia will feature a diverse range of activities, including:

1. Cosplay Extravaganza: Witness the world’s top cosplayers compete for a massive prize pool of over AED 400,000.
2. Celebrity Meet-and-Greets: Interact with renowned anime directors, voice actors, manga artists, and video game creators.
3. Live Performances: Enjoy a lineup of J-Pop concerts, anime-inspired shows, and captivating performances.
4. Interactive Exhibits: Immerse yourself in themed exhibits showcasing iconic scenes and characters from popular anime.
5. Gaming and Workshops: Explore a dedicated gaming hub featuring VR zones, Esports, arcade games, and engaging workshops.

The festival will host a stellar lineup of guests, including:

1. Legendary Anime Figures: Renowned figures like Yoko Takahashi (Neon Genesis Evangelion), Ryo Horikawa (Dragon Ball, Super Smash Bros), Naoto Ohshima (Sonic the Hedgehog), and more.
2. Cosplay Icons: World-class cosplayers from Thailand, Indonesia, France, Latvia, Japan, and Saudi Arabia will be present.

Tickets for Animenia Abu Dhabi are now available with pricing starting at AED 65 for a single weekday pass.

The Certified Collectibles Group (CCG), a company that authenticates and grades comic books, trading cards, coins, paper money and other collectibles, has announced its expansion into the Middle East with the opening of a new office in Dubai. This strategic move underscores CCG’s commitment to the region and its rapidly growing collectibles market.

To spearhead this exciting new chapter, CCG has appointed Arafaat Ali Khan as the Managing Director of its Middle East office. Ali Khan, a well-respected figure in the region’s pop culture and entertainment scene, is the co-founder of the Middle East Film and Comic Con (MEFCC), and brings extensive experience and a deep understanding of the local market to CCG. Khan’s involvement in the pop culture industry has had a strong influence on the entertainment and collectibles communities in the Middle East.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Arafaat to our team,” said Max Spiegel, President of Certified Collectibles Group. “His impressive expertise and passion for collectibles will be invaluable as we establish our presence in the Middle East. This expansion is a testament to our belief in the region’s potential and our commitment to providing a top-tier service to collectors and enthusiasts here.”

The new Dubai office will serve as a hub for CCG’s operations in the Middle East, offering high-quality grading services for a range of collectible items through their various services including Certified Guaranty Company (CGC), Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) and Paper Money Guaranty (PMG), among others. This move marks the first time a leading international grading company of CCG’s calibre has set up operations in the region, reflecting the growing interest and investment in collectibles across the Middle East.

“As an avid collector myself, I am honoured to join CCG and lead the company’s efforts in the Middle East,” said Arafaat Ali Khan. “The region has a vibrant and enthusiastic collecting community, and I am excited to be part of another first at CCG by providing exceptional services and support to collectors and dealers here. This is an exciting time for the industry, and I look forward to contributing to its growth and success.”

Beaverlab has announced the launch of the new Finder TW2, designed for those who seek to observe and capture the wonders of the cosmos. With its 82mm aperture and 29x zoom capability, the TW2 brings the universe’s marvels into crystal-clear focus. This advanced telescope captures high-resolution photos and stunning 4K videos, revealing the intricate details of planets, stars, and distant galaxies like never before.

The TW2 features a built-in 5-inch touchscreen, eliminating the need for additional devices. This allows for real-time photo and video editing directly on the telescope, enhancing the user experience with intuitive controls and adjustments. The DS1 image collector, equipped with an advanced starlight CMOS sensor and AI-powered image processing, ensures exceptional image quality even in low-light conditions, capturing the beauty of the cosmos with unparalleled clarity.

“Exploring the cosmos should not be exclusive to the affluent or technically skilled. Our state-of-the-art optical telescope revolutionizes stargazing by merging superior optical precision with exceptional affordability. Engineered to be lightweight and highly intuitive, it caters equally to seasoned astronomers and beginners. This latest telescope addresses the traditional barriers of cost and complexity, offering a transformative tool that democratizes access to the night sky for all,” said Simon Fang, the Founder of Beaverlab.

The TW2’s 1/1.8-inch starlight CMOS sensor is significantly larger than its predecessor’s 1/2.8-inch sensor. This larger sensor captures more light, enhancing performance in low-light conditions and providing better image quality with less noise and more detail, even in challenging lighting conditions. The TW2’s wider dynamic range and greater colour accuracy help capture details in both bright and dark areas. Additionally, the software’s algorithm processing capability has been greatly enhanced with AI.

Key features of the TW2 include:

1. Longer Optical Focal Length: With an optical focal length of 500mm, the TW2 can capture images from greater distances.
2. Built-in Screen: The built-in screen allows for effective operation directly on the device.
3. Larger Optical Aperture: The 80mm optical aperture enhances light-gathering capability.
4. Comprehensive Accessories: The TW2 includes accessories such as a tripod and a professional outdoor bag.
5. The TW2’s DS1 image capture device is not only for personal use but is also compatible with 99% of other telescopes available on the market. The DS1 image collector can be detached and attached to another telescope with a 1.25″ eyepiece.

Main advantages of TW2:

1. High-resolution astrophotography / deep space photography: Takes high-resolution 8MP photos and 4K videos of planets, galaxies, nebulas, nature, etc.
2. DS1 image collector with its 5-inch touchscreen: Eliminates the need to lean over, change positions, or capture through small eyepieces.
3. Observe the cosmos through a large, high-resolution screen.
4. Advanced image processing: Equipped with a starlight CMOS sensor and AI for significantly better image quality, especially in low light. Features include enhanced dynamic range, higher resolution, low read noise, high signal-to-noise ratio, and low power consumption.
5. Professional ISP image processing chip: Processes raw image data to produce high-quality images improved by AI algorithms.

AI Features:

• CCM (Color Correction Matrix): Enhances colour accuracy for true-to-life images.
• CA (Chromatic Aberration) Correction: Minimizes colour distortion for sharp, clear visuals.
• WDR (Wide Dynamic Range): Balances lighting conditions to capture details in both bright and dark areas.
• MCTF (Motion Compensated Temporal Filter): Ensures clear and sharp images, even in motion.
• Noise Reduction: Reduces image noise for cleaner, more detailed photographs.
• Dehazing: Enhances image clarity by reducing haze and atmospheric interference.
• Longer Optical Focal Length: With a great zoom (29x optical and up to 4x digital), capture images and videos from great distances, revealing deep space objects not visible to lower-zoom telescopes.
• Real-time manual photo adjustments: The DS1 image collector enables real-time manual photo adjustments, allowing for precise control over exposure and contrast to achieve professional-quality photos. With the advanced technology of the Finder TW2, photos can be adjusted directly on the screen, eliminating the need to upload them to a computer for editing. Additionally, the companion app provides enhanced control, allowing for changes and management of the observatory from any location.
• Larger Optical Aperture: The TW2 Finder features an 82mm aperture, allowing it to absorb a significant amount of light. This capability enables clear and bright views of planets, stars, and the moon. Combined with its focal length, the TW2 offers 29x zoom capabilities, bringing the depths of outer space into sharp focus and ensuring crystal-clear images of distant celestial objects in high resolution. Additionally, the larger 80mm optical aperture allows even more light to enter, resulting in brighter images of the Moon and the ability to capture planets further in space.

Additional Features:

• Anti-shake function: Ensures stable and clear images.
• Versatile usage: This can be used for aerial photography and bird watching, thanks to its high-resolution image-capturing capabilities and impressive magnification.
• Portability The Traveling Telescope: The Beaverlab TW2 is designed to be both powerful and portable. Weighing less than 4 kilograms (8 pounds), it is easy to transport. By attaching the tripod legs, the telescope can be set up anywhere, enabling exploration of deep space from any location.

What’s in the Box:

• Astronomical Telescope and PTZ Set
• Starlight Camera DS1
• Remote Control
• 0.5x Focal Reducer
• Solar Filter
• Data Cable
• Planisphere
• Portable Bag
• Tripod
• Finderscope
• User Manual

Finder TW2 is currently available for pre-order through a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. As an early bird supporter, the unit can be secured starting at $329 (MSRP $499).