Situated in the heart of Comic Con Africa’s Otaku Town feature area is the 144sqm Super Japan Trade Pavilion, a landmark partnership between CCA and JETRO Johannesburg (the Japan External Trade Organisation). It marks the culmination of three years of partnership between the two, and sees the introduction of 15 leading companies to South African audiences. Super Japan will shine a spotlight on Japanese retail, IP, food, fashion brands, and other flagship projects. Building on relationships JETRO has cultivated with Comic Con Africa since the start of their partnership in 2023, the Pavilion gives local fans direct access to authentic Japanese products and content, while providing participating companies with a close-up view of South Africa’s growing appetite for Japanese IP and culture.
While anime is one of Japan’s most recognized cultural exports, the country has so much more to offer. Super Japan will showcase a wide range of Japanese industries and cultural strengths, including music, food and beverage, art, entertainment, technology, mobility, lifestyle, traditional culture, and of course, anime, manga, and gaming. It will provide participating Japanese companies valuable insights into the South African market and help identify new business opportunities for both countries. Comic Con Africa and JETRO Johannesburg hope to see active engagement between con-goers and the exhibitors, creating opportunities for networking, collaboration, and long-term partnerships.
Participating Companies
JETRO
The Japan External Trade Organization, or JETRO, is a Japanese government-related organization that promotes trade and investment. If you’re thinking of Japan as an import source or export market, or if you’d like to bring your business here, this is the place to start.
Anest Iwata South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Anest Iwata Corporation is a prominent Japanese industrial machinery manufacturer specializing in compressed air technologies, vacuum equipment, and liquid atomization/coating systems. Founded in 1926 and headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, the company is globally recognized for manufacturing Japan’s first spray paint guns and globally prominent airbrushes and compressors.
Animation International Ltd
Animation International is a leading brand licensing agency established in 1979, specializing in representation, management, and development of world-renowned Japanese brands, characters, and intellectual properties. With over four decades of industry experience, the company has built a strong reputation for connecting iconic brands with consumers through strategic licensing, merchandising, promotions, publishing, digital content, and retail partnerships. Operating across a broad international network that includes India, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, Animation International works closely with brand owners and business partners to expand market presence and create innovative licensing opportunities. The company represents a diverse portfolio of Japanese characters and entertainment properties, helping brands reach new audiences while maintaining their authenticity and value. Through its extensive regional expertise, strong industry relationships, and commitment to brand growth, Animation International continues to be a trusted partner for licensors, licensees, retailers, and promotional agencies seeking to maximize the commercial potential of leading intellectual properties across emerging and established markets.
aoi loco festa Co., Ltd.
Aoi Loco Festa Co., Ltd. is a Japanese entertainment agency and music label headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. The company specializes in artist management, music production, live event planning, and entertainment content development. With a strong focus on nurturing talent and creating unique cultural experiences, Aoi Loco Festa has established itself as a notable presence within Japan’s independent music and idol entertainment industry. The company is best known as the management agency and record label behind MIRAISKIRT⁺, the prominent Kyoto-based solo idol project led by Marina Kojima. Through artist development, music releases, live performances, and fan engagement initiatives, Aoi Loco Festa supports the growth and promotion of its artists while contributing to the vibrancy of Kyoto’s entertainment and creative community.
Arc & Beyond Association, Inc.
Arc & Beyond is a non-profit organization established by Sony Group with the mission to address social challenges by unlocking human creativity and building a society where everyone can realize their potential. As social challenges grow more intricate and multifaceted, Arc & Beyond focuses on creating sustainable models that generate both social impact and long-term value. Guided by the spirit of “Arc,” which connects people, and “Beyond,” which encourages us to go beyond existing boundaries and limitations, we work together with diverse partners to create new possibilities. Arc & Beyond initiates and leads co-creation projects across the fields of education, wellbeing, sports, and entertainment, working with diverse partners and leveraging the power of business, technology, and creativity. Our current initiatives include TAIDO, a co-created animation project that brings together creators from Africa and Japan to bring African stories to global audiences while creating new opportunities for creative talent.
Cal-Mo (Pty) Ltd
Cal-Mo(Pty)Ltd, Cal-Mo(Pty)Ltd. is one of MOGA Group.
M =Modern O =Originality G =Genuine A =Artistic
Cal-Mo(Pty)Ltd.is a Japanese-owned South African entity and is a member of MogaGROUP International. Founded in May 2009 with overseas invested capital, we source, production and distribute beauty products with a main focus on the nail industry. Our portfolio includes Lupis, a Japanese fast-fashion accessory brand established around the mission to “empower every fashion lover to freely express their style daily.” The brand’s core competitive advantage is its ability to combine trend-driven, premium-looking aesthetics with exceptionally accessible price points.
CyberAgent, Inc
CyberAgent was founded in March 1998 with the vision of “to create the 21st century’s leading company”. It operates its businesses in the growing internet industry, focusing on three key areas: media & IP, advertising, and games. It is committed to maximizing entertainment value on a global scale by leveraging the power of creativity and technology.
ITO EN, LTD.
ITO EN, LTD. is a Japanese multinational beverage company and the largest green tea distributor in Japan, holding the world record for the top-selling ready-to-drink green tea brand, Oi Ocha. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, the company operates globally across North America, Asia, Australia, and Europe.
Kolok (Pty) Ltd
As DNP’s authorized distributor in South Africa, we provide DNP dye-sublimation photo printers, consumables, and print solutions for a wide range of applications, including studios, events, and tourist attractions.
Marubeni Corporation
Marubeni Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries use their broad business networks, both within Japan and overseas, to conduct importing and exporting (including third country trading) , as well as domestic business, encompassing a diverse range of business activities across wide-ranging fields including lifestyle, food & agri business, metals & mineral resources, energy & chemicals, power & infrastructure services, finance, leasing & real estate business, aerospace & mobility, next generation business development and next generation corporate development. Additionally, the Marubeni Group offers a variety of services, makes internal and external investments, and is involved in resource development throughout all the above industries.
Mentholatum South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Mentholatum (a Rohto company) is a specialized global company, dedicated to improving the health and wellness of people throughout the world with effective, innovative and accessible products. In addition to bringing our globally recognized brands to the African market, Mentholatum SA is home to our local Factory, the only toothbrush manufacturer in South Africa, with a heritage of products that date as far back as 1902.
Pentel South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Pentel South Africa (Pty) Ltd is the South African subsidiary of Astram Co., Ltd. (formerly Pentel Co., Ltd.), a Japanese stationery manufacturer established in 1946. Pentel offers writing instruments, art materials, correction products, office supplies and other stationery products in more than 120 countries worldwide. Through its high-quality and innovative products, Pentel aims to inspire the joy of writing, drawing and creative expression. Pentel South Africa has been operating in South Africa for more than 40 years.
TBS HOLDINGS, INC.
TBS Holdings, Inc. is a prominent Japanese mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered in Tokyo, operating primarily within the communication services sector. Founded in 1951, the company has evolved into a powerhouse across three core business segments: Media and Content (encompassing nationwide television and radio broadcasting, studio production, and anime), Lifestyle (including cosmetics, mail-order shopping, and retail), and Real Estate management.
Toshiba TV SA
Toshiba TV South Africa currently offers a range of televisions and audio products in the South African market under the leadership and distribution management of Hisense South Africa. Through this partnership, we are committed to delivering high-quality entertainment solutions, combining Toshiba’s trusted global brand heritage with Hisense South Africa’s strong local market presence and customer support network.
Yamaha Music Gilf FZE / Tuning Fork (Pty) Ltd
YMGF is a wholly owned subsidiary of Yamaha Corporation, Japan, headquartered in Dubai, UAE. The company oversees Yamaha’s musical instrument, professional audio, and music education business across the Middle East, Africa, and CIS.YMGF supports a broad network of Distributors while promoting music culture and education throughout the region.
Yamaha South Africa / Tuning Fork (Pty) Ltd
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. is a leading Japanese mobility and transportation manufacturer headquartered in Iwata, Shizuoka, Japan. Founded in 1955, the company specializes in the design, manufacture, and sale of motorcycles, scooters, marine products, all-terrain vehicles, golf cars, electric bicycles, industrial robots, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Yamaha Motor operates an extensive global network with more than 55,000 employees and over 100 overseas subsidiaries, serving customers across Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania. Yamaha Motor is recognized worldwide for its innovation, engineering excellence, reliability and strong presence in the mobility, marine, and industrial automation sectors.
Comic Con Africa’s Otaku Town Feature Area
Comic Con Africa’s Otaku Town feature area and its PopTaku Stage brings the best in anime, manga, gaming, and Japanese culture to Johannesburg. It includes features such as the Pop Up Cinema from CineCentre (with animations brought by the Japan Film Foundation and Embassy of Japan), hands-on Japanese language lessons, a Street Fighter free-to-play zone, calligraphy demonstrations, manga workshops, anime cooking demonstrations, game shows, the Dub It Out competition, a JPOP Idol performer in the form of Kojima Marina as MIRAISKIRT⁺, and more. These features are in collaboration with FujiFilm.
Anime in South Africa is Growing
Fans’ excitement for anime has been on a constant upwards trajectory since the launch of the convention in 2018. “The development of Otaku Town at Comic Con Africa from a one-off activation into a full feature area is in reaction to the growing popularity of anime, manga, and Japanese culture in South Africa, and this year the feature area is far bigger and more exciting than ever before”, says René Staack, the Content Director for Comic Con Africa.
JETRO Press Briefing
JETRO Johannesburg will be sharing the results of their 2025 Anime, Manga, and Otaku Culture survey at a press briefing prior to the opening of the con. At the briefing, JETRO Johannesburg’s Rikako Nishiura will also be sharing success stories from the partnership, saying “Anime and manga opened the door, and this year we are showcasing the full spectrum of Japan’s ‘soft power.’ Seeing more Japanese companies successfully enter the South African market through our partnership gives us great confidence. We are excited to take this partnership to the next level and share even more of what makes Japan unique.”