Welcome to the heart of the Otakukon Anime Festival 2025

The OKAF Artist Alley is the creative heartbeat of Otakukon Anime Festival — a vibrant marketplace where local and regional artists showcase original art, fan art, comics, crafts, and unique merchandise inspired by anime, manga, and pop culture. It’s the perfect place to discover one-of-a-kind creations, meet the talent behind them, and take home a piece of Otakukon magic.

The Artist Alley is active ALL DAY

Step into the ultimate play zone! One room hosts the Otakukon Winter Invitational, featuring a heated Street Fighter 6 tournament with $100 in prizes for the top 3 challengers. The second is a Casual Gaming Room, powered by The Gaming Arena Esports Centre, where fans can relax, play, and connect over their favorite titles.

Active: ALL DAY
Partners: Embassy of Japan in Zimbabwe | JICA | The Study in Japan for Africa Program

Culture Corner is where Otakukon Anime Festival connects fans to the heart of Japan beyond anime and manga. This space brings together three incredible partners — the Embassy of Japan in Zimbabwe, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Study in Japan for Africa program supported by Akita University — to create a hub of cultural exchange, education, and opportunity.

At the Embassy of Japan’s booth, attendees can learn about Japanese traditions, explore cultural displays, and even try their hand at traditional Japanese games. Alongside this, the Embassy, JICA, and Akita University will all provide valuable information about studying in Japan, including available scholarships, exchange programs, and pathways for Zimbabwean students to pursue higher education in Japan.

This is the only place in Zimbabwe where fans and students can directly interact with the Embassy of Japan and its cultural partners, making it a rare and valuable opportunity to fuel their passion for Japanese culture while exploring real-life connections between Zimbabwe and Japan.

Adding to this cultural celebration, the Embassy of Japan in Zimbabwe is supporting a special cross-cultural cosplay contest — “Hashira Reimagined” — which challenges participants to reimagine iconic Demon Slayer costumes in African-inspired attire. This unique collaboration bridges pop culture and tradition, showcasing the creativity that comes from blending Japanese and African identities.

Whether you’re curious about Japanese daily life, eager to play cultural games, or seriously considering academic opportunities abroad, the Culture Corner offers a one-of-a-kind chance to experience and explore Japan in Zimbabwe.

Active: ALL DAY

Kids Korner is the perfect spot for our youngest fans to enjoy Otakukon Anime Festival! Designed especially for children up to the age of 7, this fun-filled area will keep little ones entertained while parents and guardians enjoy the rest of the festival.

The space features a jumping castle for endless active fun, along with anime-themed coloring pages to spark creativity and imagination. Safe, playful, and full of smiles, Kids Korner ensures that even the tiniest otakus have their share of the Otakukon magic.

Safety Note: Children must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or guardian at all times while in the Kids Korner.

Active: ALL DAY

The Lounge is Otakukon’s dedicated relax-and-play zone, where fans can take a break from the buzz of the festival and dive into the world of board and card games. From classics like Monopoly and Cards Against Marvel to fan-favorites such as the Harry Potter card game, the Lounge is all about connection, laughter, and friendly competition.

This year, the Lounge also features the debut of AniMinute Now, Otaku Konnect’s very own original card game — giving attendees the first chance to experience and play it together. Whether you’re here to unwind, challenge your friends, or discover something new, the Lounge is your cozy corner of creativity and fun at Otakukon Anime Festival.

Mugen is Japanese for infinite. the Mugen Mic Zone will host our sound related activities and could be the place where the sound Hashira is crowned. If you are a fan of karaoke and voice acting or Voice over activities, this is the erfect place to show off your talents.

Mugen Mic Zone (無限マイク – “Infinite Mic”) is the ultimate stage at Otakukon Anime Festival for fans who want to showcase their voices and passion. Dedicated to both karaoke and voice acting auditions, this lively zone runs all day, giving attendees the chance to step up to the mic and shine.

In the karaoke sessions, fans can belt out their favorite anime openings, endings, and J-pop hits, filling the festival with the unforgettable energy of anime’s most iconic soundtracks. It’s a space to celebrate the joy of music, perform solo or with friends, and share the spotlight with fellow otakus.

The voice acting segment offers something truly special — an open call for local talent to step into the roles of beloved anime characters. Participants can audition in English or Shona, competing for prizes and the opportunity to be recognized as some of Zimbabwe’s first rising anime voice actors.

The Mugen Mic Zone isn’t just about performance — it’s about community, creativity, and fun. Whether you’re singing your heart out, trying your hand at voice acting, or cheering on your friends, this zone embodies the passion and energy that makes anime culture so inspiring.

Hashira Reimagined: A Cross-Cultural Cosplay Contest

At Otakukon Anime Festival 2025, cosplay takes on a bold new twist with the Hashira Reimagined Competition, proudly supported by the Embassy of Japan in Zimbabwe. This one-of-a-kind contest challenges cosplayers to reimagine the iconic Hashira from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — not just in their traditional form, but through the lens of African culture, heritage, and fashion.

The Hashira, also known as the Pillars, are the most elite warriors of the Demon Slayer Corps, each representing a unique strength and personality. In this competition, cosplayers will fuse these legendary designs with African attire, fabrics, and symbolism — from bold Shona prints and vibrant West African textiles to Zulu beadwork and Southern African cultural motifs. The result: breathtaking cross-cultural designs that celebrate the creativity of Zimbabwean and African fans while honoring one of Japan’s most beloved anime series.

Judges will evaluate participants based on:

• Creativity & Originality – How well the Hashira designs are reinterpreted through African aesthetics.

• Craftsmanship – Attention to detail, quality, and ingenuity in costume design.

• Cultural Fusion – How successfully Japanese anime and African tradition blend into one cohesive expression.

• Performance & Presence – Bringing the reimagined character to life on stage.

The Hashira Reimagined Competition isn’t just a cosplay contest — it’s a celebration of cultural exchange, imagination, and unity. It embodies the spirit of Otakukon: where Japanese pop culture meets African creativity in powerful, innovative ways.