Anime, manga, and gaming fans from across Kenya and beyond filled the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) this past weekend for the Otamatsuri Festival 2025, the largest celebration of Japanese pop culture in Africa.
The event, now in its seventh edition since launching in 2018, drew thousands of attendees dressed in elaborate costumes, eager to immerse themselves in cosplay contests, gaming tournaments, live performances, and cultural showcases.
The festival ran from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, after which it transitioned into the LANarchy gaming marathon and after-party. Powered by Safaricom’s 5G network, gamers competed deep into the night on high-speed connections that enabled seamless play in titles like League of Legends, Tekken 8, and Valorant.
By day, fans moved between dedicated activity zones: Main Stage for cosplay competitions, dance showcases, and live music.
Gaming Zone featuring LAN setups, VR booths, and console lounges. Artist Alley where illustrators, digital artists, and crafters sold original work. Vendor Hall offering manga, collectibles, figurines, and themed merchandise. Food Court that transformed into a “mini Tokyo” with Japanese-inspired dishes.
This year also introduced an Anime Music Video (AMV) contest, where Kenyan editors presented stunning mashups of anime visuals set to pop and J-pop soundtracks.
The cosplay contest remained the heartbeat of the festival. Fans recreated characters from global anime hits like Naruto, Demon Slayer, and Attack on Titan, as well as popular gaming franchises.
The 2025 crown went to “Airi Mizuki”, a Kenyan cosplayer whose Sailor Moon transformation — complete with glowing props and a choreographed routine — stole the show. Runners-up included a striking Levi Ackerman from Attack on Titan and an armored Final Fantasy character that showcased jaw-dropping craftsmanship.
Judges, including local fashion designers and international cosplay guests, praised the creativity and authenticity of Kenyan cosplayers, calling the competition “the most dynamic in Africa.”
Otamatsuri’s gaming arena has grown into one of its biggest attractions. This year’s tournaments featured Tekken 8, League of Legends, and Fortnite, streamed to online viewers and attracting professional e-sports teams alongside casual gamers.
Virtual reality booths gave attendees a chance to experience VR rhythm games and sword-fighting simulations, a first-time feature sponsored by Infinix. Meanwhile, console lounges hosted friendly matches in FIFA 25 and Mario Kart, ensuring there was something for every gamer.
For creators, Artist Alley was buzzing. Kenyan illustrators, manga artists, and designers showcased their art, with many reporting sell-outs of posters, badges, and handmade merchandise.
Several artists presented original Kenyan manga-inspired works that blended African storytelling with Japanese aesthetics — a trend that continues to grow year by year.
The Vendor Hall featured both local and international stalls. Limited-edition figurines, imported manga volumes, anime T-shirts, and themed accessories were among the most sought-after items, with long queues forming early in the day.
One of the most popular corners of the festival was the food zone. Attendees sampled sushi, ramen, takoyaki, and bubble tea, alongside creative Kenyan-Japanese fusion dishes.
Workshops also gave festival-goers a chance to learn how to make sushi rolls, giving the event an educational twist alongside its entertainment value.
Beyond cosplay and gaming, the stage came alive with K-pop dance covers, J-pop karaoke, and live DJ sets inspired by anime soundtracks. A special highlight this year was a Japanese Taiko drumming performance, blending traditional beats with modern soundscapes, which had the audience cheering.
The 2025 edition included panels and workshops where industry voices discussed career opportunities in gaming, animation, and digital art. Japanese language and culture clubs also hosted mini-sessions, teaching basic phrases and cultural etiquette to attendees curious about Japan beyond anime.
This year’s edition was powered by sponsorship from Infinix (technology sponsor), NCBA Bank (financial partner), Safaricom (5G and connectivity), Anisuma Traders Ltd (logistics support), Africa Bon Odori (cultural programming)
What began in 2018 as a small community meet-up in Nairobi has become Africa’s largest anime festival. Over seven years, Otamatsuri has expanded in size, scope, and recognition, drawing regional attendees and international attention.
Organizers say they plan to expand programming even further in coming years, aiming to make Nairobi a hub for global anime culture.