š° PRESS RELEASE: Registration For Zimbabwe Cosplay Championships Is Open (Registration Form Here)
Zimbabwe’s largest cosplay and costume competition takes place on the 24th of August 2025 at Moto Republik in Harare. Hosted by Otaku Konnect, this competition will set itself out to be the ultimate costume party for all ages with judges, cash prizes, and a passion of all things pop culture. With a $200 winner-takes-all cash prize for this second iteration of the event, we couldn’t be more excited.
Every year, Otaku Konnect host Zimbabwe’s premier Anime convention, the Otakukon Anime Festival (OKAF) in August. OKAF is a family friendly convention aiming to create a space for fans of Japanese pop culture. In addition, attendees also are fans of global comic books, the Marvel and DC universes and Gaming in general. What we aim to create through OKAF and other events is where fans of these can thrive. The main event at OKAF is the annual cosplay competition. While cosplay competitions feature at all Otakukon events, The Zimbabwe Cosplay Championships were created with a huge long term goal. The goal is to improve the quality of self-made cosplays and costumes in Harare. This competition looks especially at self-made cosplays with competitors expected to ensure that at least 80% of their costume is made and not purchased.
Zimbabwe Cosplay Championship Past Winners
Ota Sensei is the current reigning champion of the Zimbabwe Cosplay Championship. Fans of the event are keen to see if he will hold on to the throne this year. Ota Sensei win in August 2024, was his first in 3 attempts.
“We have seen a huge improvement in the quality of costumes since we started Otaku Konnect in 2023. We want to see Zimbabwean cosplayers competing on a Global scale,” says Archie Moyo, the founder and Festival Director for OKAF. As Otaku konnect, investing in top quality cosplay production opens up more opportunities in the nerd space. Cosplaying as a culture can lead to growing a network of businesses that supply and make these costumes locally.
The Zimbabwe Cosplay Championship is Happening at Moto Republik, 3 Allan Wilson Ave. On the 24th of August with the official registration closing on the 18th of August 2025.
Register Here don’t miss out on thisĀ amazingĀ event!”