Amin Abbas

TOKYO: The 7th edition of Tokyo Comic Con, a festival of comics, movies, and pop culture that has been held in Tokyo since 2016, took place from Dec. 8 to 10 at the Makuhari Messe International Exhibition, with more than 85,000 visitors attending the three-day event.

Ten amazing Hollywood celebrities, including Mads Mikkelsen, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston, Ewan McGregor, and Christopher Lloyd, were guests at the event as they interacted with fans through stage events, autographs, and photo sessions. 

The event was enlivened by Japanese actor Mackenyu, as an ambassador, and cosplayer Moe Iori, as a PR and cosplay ambassador. Swedish TV personality LiLiCo and Japanese actor Ryohei Odai were the main presenters of the event. 

Various comic and movie cosplays, as well as a display of valuable collections of “Titanic” and “Pokémon” by Heritage Auctions, the world’s largest US-based auction house, were featured at this year’s event.

One of the highlights was the participation of Arab Comics (AC Comics) as the first ever Middle Eastern entertainment production company to take part in Tokyo Comic Con.

The AC Comics team was pleased to be part of the event and meet with fans, artists, and many attendees.

Additionally, it was announced that the 8th edition will be held next year, following the previously announced Osaka Comic Con 2024, which was met with applause. A commemorative photo of the celebrities was taken, as the event ended with great excitement.

The Tokyo Comic Con was initially held in Silicon Valley, where Steve Wozniak, a co-founder of Apple Computer Inc., lives. With Wozniak’s intention to make Comic Con a truly global festival, he decided to hold it in Tokyo. In 2016, the first edition achieved great success.

The convention is a celebration of the latest technology and the best pop culture symbols. This festival stimulates intellectual curiosity for all generations.

In 2020, the event underwent a new evolution, becoming the first to be held online under the title Tokyo Comic Con World. In May, the Osaka Comic Con 2023 was held with great success.