Comic Con Africa 2025 Day One: Cosplay, Gaming, and Pure Geek Magic

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Where else can you stand in the sun and casually bump into Poison Ivy, Jinx, a cowboy on a T-Rex, and Naruto with enough hair gel to defy gravity? Only Comic Con Africa. Day one of the sixth edition exploded onto Nasrec and, let’s be honest, it was less “festival” and more “geek utopia.”

Collectors Gone Wild

The first 2,000 fans through the doors scored the shiny new CONllector Guide, and suddenly everyone turned into Gollum. Funkos? Precious. LaBuBus? Precious. Gaming chairs, lightsabres, consoles, books? Also precious. If it could be bought, traded, or hoarded, someone was already clutching it with glazed eyes and an empty wallet.

A Chapter for the Bookworms

Comic Con finally gave the book nerds their moment with the Book Nook, and I loved it. Picture towering storybook sets, whimsical taverns, and a staircase straight out of an M.C. Escher fever dream. Local authors mingled with fans, cosplayers dressed as beloved characters, and there was even a wishing tree for bookmarks. A gentle reminder that books may be quiet, but they always know how to shout the loudest.

Cosplay Royalty (and Casuals Too)

Cosplayers owned the day. International icons Yuji Koi and Majed Cosplay were mobbed like rockstars, while the Pop-Taku stage buzzed with panels on the highs and lows of the craft. And then, of course, the casual cosplayers brought their best to the Main Stage, proving that you don’t need a movie budget to look epic — just guts, glue, and maybe a hot glue burn or two.

Gaming Nirvana

Step into the Experience Hall and you were instantly hit by LED walls, thundering shoutcasters, and the sound of a million energy drinks cracking open. Telkom VS Gaming’s CS2 Masters lit up their custom-built stage, while Doritos’ Crunch Arena saw Tekken 8 warriors mashing buttons like their lives depended on it. Red Bull Gaming kept the adrenaline going with EAFC, and Toyota brought the Street Fighter 6 and Gran Turismo 7 action. If gaming heaven exists, this was it.

Dice, Cards, and Strategy Plots

The tabletop zone was buzzing with dice rolls, card trades, and enough world-building to rival Tolkien. Beginners and veterans alike sat side by side, slaying dragons or scheming their next sneaky move in trading card games. It was less “tabletop” and more “table’s-top-about-to-collapse-from-enthusiasm.”

The Kids Took Over

For the first time, School Day turned Comic Con into a giant field trip — and the kids were loving it. Pokémon TCG lessons, marble racing, mascots everywhere, and smiles the size of Mario’s moustache. Dr Squish and Spy Guy had kids giggling, while Geoffrey the Giraffe posed like the true celebrity he is. Parents, meanwhile, discovered that “I’ll just drop them off” wasn’t an option.

New Touches That Really Hit Home

This year, Comic Con Africa made some big calls that deserve proper credit. One thing I really felt was the absence of Symbiote Premium Collectibles in the main hall. Without their jaw-dropping displays, there’s definitely a sense of something missing — that “wow” factor they’ve brought in past years.

That said, the new Main Stage redesign more than balances things out. The massive screens and sleek new setup are on another level, turning every talk and cosplay showcase into a cinematic experience. Credit where it’s due — the Comic Con Africa team truly outdid themselves here.

Inclusivity also got a standing ovation from me. For the first time, Comic Con Africa rolled out dedicated sign language interpreters for every talk and performance on the main stage. Watching them in action was a reminder that geek culture is for everyone, and Comic Con is making sure of it. That’s how you do inclusivity right.

And because no one should survive a full day on popcorn and coffee alone, a special shoutout goes to the Vegan Chef serving up plant-powered goodness. I’m telling you, even meat eaters need to grab a plate. It was that good.

Of course, Toys R Us once again nailed their setup. Colourful, fun, and buzzing with kids (and adults pretending not to be excited). It’s proof that when vendors are looked after properly, fans get an even better experience. Comic Con Africa deserves real credit for making sure their vendors and attendees are taken care of this year.

Rocking the Outdoors

Yes, there’s more. Outside, karaoke courtesy of the School of Rock stage turned shy fans into power-ballad legends. Some sang beautifully, others bravely — but every single one of them reminded us why Comic Con is as much about heart as it is about fandom.

Day One Verdict

Comic Con Africa 2025 Day One proved, once again, that this is the event where everyone belongs. Cosplayers, gamers, bookworms, collectors, foodies, kids, and even parents trying to keep up — all came together to celebrate the things they love.

Honestly? That’s the real magic of Comic Con. You might arrive for the fandom you know, but you always leave with more than you expected.