Day One of Comic Con Africa
Where else can you find Poison Ivy, Jinx, a cowboy riding a T-rex, and a spiky-haired Naruto sharing a moment in the sunlight, other than at Comic Con Africa? This truly unique festival brings together everyone, no matter their age or fandom. Day one of the sixth edition of the festival officially rocked the Nasrec showgrounds.
The CONllector Guide Launched
With the first 2,000 fans through the door having received the first edition of the CONllector guide, the crazy show specials turned everyone into a collector. Whether their thing was LaBuBus, Funkos, consoles, gaming chairs, Lightsabres, or books, there was a deal to suit every person and every pocket.
Chapter One of the Book Nook
The brand new Book Nook at Comic Con Africa is for anyone who has ever cherished a book – even if it’s just the one. Fan meetups, a treasure hunt, a reader’s tavern, and a bookmark wishing tree are found within a whimsical feature area. Local authors and publishers showcased their books and stories, and fans dressed up as their favourite characters, surrounded by larger-than-life books and an Escher-esque staircase activation.
Cosplay All the Way
There was no holding back from the Cosplayers. They came out in force, and fans were thrilled to meet international Cosplay icons Yuji Koi and Majed Cosplay. Cosplay content on the Pop-Taku stage addressed the challenges and joys of Cosplaying, while the casual Cosplayers strutted their costumes on the epic Main Stage – competing for the glory even more than the prizes.
Pure Gaming Goodness
The Experience Hall brought pure gaming goodness to ecstatic fans. The lighting, the LED walls, the shoutcasters, the arcades, and the athletes created the perfect playground for gamers. Telkom VS Gaming’s CS2 Masters kicked off with electrifying matches, hosted on a spectacular purpose-built stage. The Doritos Crunch Arena’s Tekken 8 tournament leaderboard was constantly refreshing as gamers pushed each other to ever higher scores. Red Bull Gaming’s EAFC tourney shook fans, while the Toyota Gaming Engine’s Street Fighter 6 and Gran Turismo 7 challenges brought PvP action to the floor.
Tabletop Takeover
The home of dreamy fantasy and cold-blooded strategy, the tabletop gaming hall welcomed players of all skill levels. Dice were rolled, cards were traded, and new realms were created all day long, as throngs of tabletop gamers indulged in boardgames and trading card games either on their own, or guided by expert games masters. This was a place to make new friends and stretch imaginations.
School Got Cool
Day one saw the first ever school day, where learners could come to the con on a special learner’s ticket. Crowds of enthralled kids got to enjoy the KidsCon Zone, where they learnt how to play the Pokémon TCG or raced Freak Marbles. Little faces were lit up with joy at the site of Dr Squish and Spy Guy, while characters like Mario and Luigi, Noodle and Bun, and Toys R Us’ Geoffrey the Giraffe posed for photos.
Outdoor Vibes
The vibes outdoors were hotter than ever at Comic Con Africa 2025. The School of Rock brought karaoke to the Outdoor Stage, and fans loved it. Both aspiring singers and the less musically gifted treated con-goers to their talents, spotlighted by stage lights and amplified by the powerful speakers. It was a moment to shine, and to reveal the rockstar within.
Comic Con is for Everyone
Day one proved yet again that Comic Con is for everyone, with new friendships forged, new fandoms discovered, and fans of all ages and backgrounds uniting to celebrate the things they love, together.
