An Academy Award-nominated animated film, hands-on onigiri making with a Japanese chef, and a manga mentorship booth headline an expanded Japan Culture Corner at OKAF 2026
HARARE, ZIMBABWE — Otaku Konnect is proud to announce that the Embassy of Japan in Zimbabwe will once again collaborate with OTAKUKON Anime Festival, returning as a key cultural partner for OKAF 2026. This year’s festival takes place on Sunday, 23 August 2026, at Moto Republik Hub, Harare, and is expected to welcome between 500 and 700 attendees.
This marks the second year of the Embassy’s involvement with OKAF, building on the success of the Japan Culture Corner at OKAF 2025 — a vibrant, interactive space that became one of the most visited areas of the festival. Last year’s corner brought traditional Japanese games, calligraphy lessons, and green tea tasting to the Harare audience, with stalls hosted by Study in Japan for Africa and JICA Zimbabwe. The energy and curiosity it drew confirmed what Otaku Konnect has long believed: Zimbabwean audiences have a genuine and growing appetite for authentic Japanese cultural exchange.
For 2026, that vision grows in scope, ambition, and heart.
A Surprise Academy Award-Nominated Film Comes to OKAF
The Embassy of Japan has facilitated the screening a surprise short animated film produced by one of the leading animation studios in the world. The film itself is an exciting show of the animation culture that surrounds the community.
Bringing this short film to OKAF 2026 is a rare and meaningful moment for Zimbabwean audiences — a chance to experience world-class animation in a community setting, surrounded by fellow fans of the art form. More details surrounding the actual film will be shared closer to the event.
Make Your Own Onigiri with Chef Arakida
Among the most anticipated activations at this year’s Japan Culture Corner is a hands-on onigiri-making experience, where attendees will get to craft their own Japanese rice balls from scratch. The activity will be led by Chef Arakida, the Embassy’s own Japanese chef — bringing a level of warmth, expertise, and authenticity that turns a fun activity into a genuine cultural moment.
Whether it is a first encounter with Japanese food culture or a beloved favourite revisited, the onigiri station promises to be one of the most joyful spots on the OKAF floor.
The Manga Booth: A Space for Zimbabwe’s Next Generation of Storytellers
OKAF 2026 will also see the launch of a dedicated Manga Booth, developed in partnership with the Embassy of Japan and powered by two of Zimbabwe’s accomplished comic and manga artists. The Manga Booth at OKAF 2026, is fully funded by the Embassy of Japan in Zimbabwe, financing the consultation of professional artists to ensure this section of the event is free to attendees.
Bill Masuku — creator of Tokoloshe Hunters and Captain South Africa, and an artist with Disney and Netflix animation and storyboarding credits — will be on hand alongside Eli Ngundu from AfroTokyo, creator of Kalabash and one of the leading voices in African manga publishing. Together, they will offer aspiring artists a rare opportunity to sit across from published creators and have real conversations about the craft: how to develop a story, how to get published, and what it takes to bring an original voice into the world.
Attendees will also have the chance to create their own manga pages at the booth, turning inspiration into ink on the day.
“The Manga Booth is something we’ve wanted to build for a long time,” said Archie Moyo, Festival Director of OKAF. “Zimbabwe has extraordinary creative talent. What so many young artists are missing is not the ability — it’s access. A conversation with Bill or Eli could genuinely change someone’s trajectory. That’s the kind of thing OKAF should be doing.”
A Partnership Rooted in Community
The collaboration between Otaku Konnect and the Embassy of Japan reflects a shared belief that culture is one of the most powerful tools for building understanding, connection, and aspiration — especially among young people. The Japan Culture Corner at OKAF has become a space where anime fans discover calligraphy, where students learn about study opportunities in Japan, and where Zimbabwean and Japanese communities find genuine common ground.
With an Oscar-nominated film, a master chef, and two of Africa’s most exciting manga artists all under one roof, the 2026 edition promises to be the most immersive and inspiring Japan Culture Corner yet.
About Otaku Konnect
Otaku Konnect is the organising body behind Zimbabwe’s leading nerd culture and Japanese pop culture events, including OTAKUKON Anime Festival (August), Button Bash Gaming Convention (April), and Nakamarket Market Festival (December). Since 2023, Otaku Konnect has hosted over 15 events Zimbabwe, reaching audiences across the country and earning coverage from Reuters, VOA Africa, and NewsDay.
Media Contact
Archie Moyo | Festival Director, Otaku Konnect
archie@otakukon.com | otakukon.com | @Otakukonnect