Your Guide to Comic Con Africa 2023

Read Time:8 Minute, 37 Second

If you are reading this, I am awesome. I mean you are awesome. Okay… WE are awesome. Did you have fun at Comic Con Africa last year? Well, I sure did and this year is going to be even bigger and better. Plus… if you see me. Hand me a Red Bull. I most likely will be needing it. Just saying…

The moment we’ve all been waiting for is finally here. Comic Con Africa is back, and it’s slated to be more epic than ever. From the 22nd to the 25th of September, the JHB Expo Centre will transform into a wonderland of all things pop culture. If you can’t make it in person, don’t fret because you can follow me on Twitter @thesomethingguy for real-time updates throughout the four-day event. Yes, you will be spammed. No, I will not be ashamed. I said what I said.

The Star-Studded Line-Up

Let’s kick things off with the celebrities who will be gracing us with their presence.

On the international front, we have:

Denim Richards, the recently announced addition to the line-up features as Colby Mayfield in the hit series Yellowstone
John Barrowman, the iconic fan-favourite Captain Jack Harkness from Doctor Who and Torchwood as well as Malcolm Merlyn in the Arrowverse across the TV shows Arrow, The Flash, and Legends of Tomorrow
Ross Marquand, known for his roles as Aaron in The Walking Dead as well as Red Skull in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame
Veronica Taylor, famed as the original English voice of Ash Ketchum in Pokémon
Anthony Daniels, renowned for his iconic role as C-3PO in the Star Wars saga

Our local talent is equally impressive, featuring:

Steven John Ward, who portrays Mihawk in Netflix’s recent live-action adaptation of the iconic anime series One Piece
Cameron Scott, South African writer, producer, and actor – having written and starred in the acclaimed short film Ring of Beasts and having featured in Netflix’s The Kissing Booth 3 and the Bachelorette SA

The Artist’s Realm: Where Art Meets Imagination

The Artist’s Corner at Comic Con Africa is a sanctuary for art lovers and enthusiasts. Here, you’ll find a blend of both local and international talents showcasing their incredible work.

Guile Sharp, renowned for his intricate illustrations in various comic series, will be there to dazzle us with his artistry.
Warren Louw who has brought to life Harley Quinn, Power Girl, Vampirella, as well as Sacred Six
Marco Rudy is best known for his work on Marvel’s “Swamp Thing,” and his unique style is something to behold.
Karl Mostert, a local comic book artist who has worked on titles including Batman: Urban Legends, Detective Comics, as well as DCeased: Hope at World’s End
Sean Izaakse, whose artwork has brought life to heavy hitter Marvel Comics’ Characters such as Thunderbolts, the Fantastic Four, and Captain America
Nooligan, an independent creator and graphic designer from the USA
… and More!

Content Creators: The Voices of Pop Culture

Content creators add a unique dimension to Comic Con Africa, offering insights, entertainment, and a fresh perspective on various pop culture topics.

Jeff Teravainen is known for his voice acting in video games and has a strong following on social media platforms where he discusses all things pop culture.
Martin Copping is an Australian actor and producer who has ventured into content creation, focusing on the entertainment industry.
The Anime Man and Aki Dearest are two of the biggest YouTubers focusing on Otaku culture, and their presence will add a special flair to Otaku Town.

Cosplay: The Heart and Soul of Comic Con

Cosplay at Comic Con Africa is an event within an event. It’s a spectacle that you don’t want to miss. This year, international cosplayers like Princess Sachiko, known for her intricate costumes, and Har_fie, famous for his character transformations, will be present.

I personally can’t wait to see Ludus Cosplay, the reigning champion, and what he has in store for us. His previous creations have been nothing short of awe-inspiring, and I’m eager to see how he’ll raise the bar this year. The daily cosplay competitions are a personal highlight for me and a must-see for anyone attending the event. Whether you’re a casual fan or a cosplay expert, the level of creativity and craftsmanship on display is sure to leave you spellbound.

Ever been curious about Cosplaying? Read more about it here:

https://khz.dst.mybluehost.me/.website_4a1074b0/ever-wanted-to-learn-more-about-cosplay/

Otaku Town: A New Adventure

New to Comic Con Africa is Otaku Town, a dedicated zone for fans of anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture. Here, you’ll find exclusive screenings, interviews with acclaimed artists, and even Japanese cuisine to satiate your culinary curiosity.

Programme for Otaku Town:

Friday, 22 September 2023

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Meet and Greet: Learn Japanese with the Japanese Language Club South Africa and Japan Embassy of South Africa
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Cosplay: Making Anime Weapons with Stadio School of Fashion
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Art: The Joy of Gunpla. How and Where to Start with Gundam Model Kits
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM: Exclusive Book Signings: With Exclusive Books
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: Food: Let’s Make California Rolls with Market Kokoro
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Anime: Welcome to the Mecha-Verse – Mech Cadets
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Quiz Time: One Piece

Saturday, 23 September 2023

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Meet and Greet: Learn Japanese with the Japanese Language Club South Africa and Japan Embassy of South Africa
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: ScanNCut Foam Workshop: By Brother
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Art: How to Draw Shounen Characters with Kudzai “Afrotokyo” Ngundu
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM: Exclusive Book Signings: With Exclusive Books
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Food: Let’s Make Sushi with Market Kokoro
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: Anime: Exporting African Anime – Kizazi Moto!
2:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Watch Party: Episodes Kaina
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Quiz Time: Dragon Ball

Sunday, 24 September

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Meet and Greet: Learn Japanese with the Japanese Language Club South Africa and Japan Embassy of South Africa
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Cosplay: Anime Armour Basics with Bianca van Heerden and Stadio School of Fashion
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Art: From Pencil Sketch to Published
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM: Exclusive Book Signings: With Exclusive Books
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Food: Let’s Make Mochi with Market Kokoro
2:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Watch Party: Boruto: Naruto the Movie
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Quiz Time: Naruto

Monday, 25 September

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Meet and Greet: Learn Japanese with the Japanese Language Club South Africa and Japan Embassy of South Africa
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Cosplay: Lolita Fashion 101 with Anel van Rooyen and Stadio School of Fashion
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Culture: Learn Karate from Master Lee Jardine Ryukyu Kobujutsu & Yuishinkai Karate Instructor
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM: Exclusive Book Signings: With Exclusive Books
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Food: Let’s Make Anime Ramen with Market Kokoro
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Art: Live Draw Abigail Awio Lee
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Watch Party: Boruto: Naruto the Movie

Gaming: A World of Its Own

Comic Con Africa is a paradise for gamers. The event features a plethora of gaming activities, including the Doritos Crunch Cup and free-to-play zones. Whether you’re a casual gamer or an eSports lover, there’s something for you. The Telkom VS Masters tournament will be a highlight, featuring top-tier titles like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

Do you have what it takes to beat the Call of Duty, FIFA, Street Fighter, or Call of duty pro? R1 000 and bragging rights can all be yours at the Doritos Crunch Cup free-to-play zone if you can.

Cricut Master Classes

Cricut will be hosting master class sessions for beginners to advanced classes. Classes include a Class Kit, and everything to complete your project and more. Walk away with a completed project and show off your superhero skills with Cricut.

Shinzo Maid Café

South Africa’s First Ever Japanese Inspired Maid Café a unique taste of kawaii culture. It provides a delightful experience that combines delectable treats and enchanting performances. Similar to maid cafes in Japan, Shinzo Maid Café features staff, often referred to as “kawaii maids,” dressed in maid outfits who serve patrons. These cafes aim to create a whimsical and charming ambience, where customers can engage in playful conversations, enjoy games, and capture memorable moments through photos while indulging in delicious food and drinks. It’s an immersive experience where respect for the kawaii maids is of utmost importance, making it an enchanting cultural exchange.

Dungeons & Dragons

D&D lovers or those curious about it can partake in some pretty awesome sessions! Head over to the team from UNPLUG YOURSELF for more information on how to join in the fun.

Tabletop Gaming Tournaments

Battle it out in Magic: the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Catan Nationals for a chance to claim victory and win amazing prizes. Are you up for the challenge?

First-Time?

Well, make sure you drink lots of fluid. Have a great breakfast. Bring a power bank and either come very early, or slightly after opening to avoid the hectic queues. Also, pace yourself. Lots will be happening at the exact same time and it can become quite overwhelming.

Food and Vendors

As always there will be a ridiculous amount of foods, snacks, sweets, drinks, toys, games, and other fascinating merchandise on display. Last year the venue went cashless, however with load-shedding having issues 24/7 i know of many people that went hungry as they did not have cash on them. Personally… I would suggest making sure you have cash. Lots of it.

Reminder

Make sure you are following me on Twitter @ www.twitter.com/thesomethingguy for updates throughout the four days or to simply see if you see any photos of yourself on there haha…