Cape Town kicked off May with a nerdy roar as Day One of Comic Con Cape Town 2025 opened its doors to thousands of excited fans — and sold out within hours. What began as an early opening turned into a fully-fledged festival of fandoms, cosplay, anime, esports and immersive pop culture chaos at CTICC2.
From the moment the crowd surged in, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. And with every floor offering something for every kind of geek, it was clear: Cape Town is ready for cons at this scale.
Main Stage Madness: Voice Actors, YouTubers & Cosplay Royalty
The Main Stage opened in dramatic fashion as LED walls slid open to reveal Zach Aguilar, the voice of Demon Slayer’s Tanjiro Kamado. A wave of anime fans lined up for autographs, selfies and storytelling from the voice behind some of anime’s most iconic characters.
Right after came Aki Dearest and The Anime Man — two of YouTube’s biggest otaku voices — who delighted audiences with tales from their creator journeys, giving fans a raw look at the ups and downs of turning anime obsession into full-time careers.
Cosplay legend Yuji Koi added her sparkle to the mix, sharing insights into craftsmanship, competitive cosplay, and the creative power of dressing up as someone else — and making it your own.
The Esports Arena Was Electric
The Telkom Esports Zone was all energy as the eDiski Championship reached quarter- and semi-final stages. With R175,000 on the line, gamers showed up with laser focus and steel nerves.
Meanwhile, Toyota’s Gaming Engine delivered hands-on play zones and giveaways, while Checkers Sixty60 handed fans the controls for UFC 5 ahead of their main attraction — Dricus Du Plessis, the UFC Middleweight Champ, who’s set to appear later in the weekend.
Red Bull’s Golden Letters tournament had Tekken 8 players going head-to-head in fierce bouts, with spectators roaring as combos landed and health bars vanished.
Cosplay Took Centre Stage
From hand-stitched masterpieces to clever closet cosplays, the cosplay scene was pure fire. Characters from every fandom imaginable strutted through the CTICC2 — from regal elves and mischievous Lokis to trio costumes like the hilarious “Victims of Donkey Kong” (yes, three human bananas in distress).
With May the 4th just around the corner, Star Wars cosplays were out in full force: stormtroopers, Darth Maul, Anakin, Princess Leia, and a jaw-dropping 8-foot Wookiee made their rounds.
Cosplay Central, powered by Medirite X Essence, gave fans a moment to glam up with mirrors and touch-ups, while vendors offered everything from latex zombie masks to full SFX makeup kits.
Brand Activations That Brought the Hype
Netflix went all-in with a Squid Game Season 3 activation, complete with life-sized Doll replica, ominous pink-suited guards, Squid Mart, and the famous money ball floating overhead.
M-Net drew crowds with a gritty The Last of Us experience, while Amazon captured attention with its giant cardboard box installation and mystery prize game, What’s In The Box?
From dance battles to escape rooms, activations weren’t just flashy — they were interactive. Shoutout to HintHunt and Dance Dance Revolution for making fans sweat and smile.
Artist Alley: A Celebration of Creative Talent
Artist Alley, curated by FanCon, featured over 40 illustrators and comic creators from around the world. From live sketches to portfolio reviews, fans got up close with the artists behind Marvel and DC titles.
Laura Braga led a Harley Quinn-themed draw-along, and a special kids’ workshop titled “Make Your Own Comic Book” introduced the next generation of illustrators to the craft.
Tabletop Vibes Were Strong
UnplugYourself kept analog gaming alive and thriving. From intense Dungeons & Dragons campaigns to quick-fire Catan rounds, the Solarpop Boardgame Library turned the con into a tabletop playground.
Whether you were new to board games or a seasoned GM, there was a table for you.
The Poptaku Stage Had the Crowd Screaming (Literally)
Over at the Poptaku Stage, the vibe was chaotic and contagious.
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So You Think You Can K-Pop lit up the stage.
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Geeks Got Talent delivered surprise performances.
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Japanese lessons and streamer strategy talks gave fans tools to level up.
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Dub It Out was a standout hit, letting fans re-dub famous scenes with hilarious or heartfelt voiceovers.
KidsCon Was Pure Wholesome Joy
There was no shortage of fun for the little ones.
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Pokémon TCG lessons turned children into card-slinging trainers.
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Character meet-and-greets featured Mario, Luigi, Noodle & Bun, Geoffrey the Giraffe, Smurfette — and yes, someone booped the Smurf’s nose.
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The Toys R Us store was packed to the brim with collectibles and exclusives, and parents were definitely not immune to temptation.
Final Word: Comic Con Cape Town Came to Play
Day One of Comic Con Cape Town 2025 didn’t just meet expectations — it obliterated them. From anime icons to esports showdowns, cosplay catwalks to kids’ adventures, it’s clear the Mother City has officially joined the big leagues of fan conventions.
And with three more days to go, the best might still be ahead.
