On Friday, an event in Yokohama, just outside Tokyo, examined opportunities to grow anime- and manga-related businesses across Africa.

Cotonou

The Subarachill convention in Cotonou, Benin, serves as a meeting point for manga and anime enthusiasts, known locally as otakus. Participants dress as popular characters such as Naruto and Goku, taking part in cosplay contests, video game tournaments, and manga workshops. The event also features calligraphy sessions, merchandise stalls, and a manga-themed tea break, highlighting the community's passion for Japanese pop culture.

The convention goes beyond entertainment, showcasing a blend of African and Japanese influences. Local artists and designers incorporate African fabrics and traditional music into manga-inspired fashion and performances. The event aims to foster a vibrant, border-free community, bringing together fans from different backgrounds and even drawing the attention of Japanese visitors.

The African Subarachill convention brings together Manga fans

Welcome to the Subarachil Convention, where Benin's otakus, the biggest manga and anime fans, come together. Here, beloved heroes like Naruto, Goku, Vegeta and Sasuke come alive to parade on the streets of Cotonou. It feels like Tokyo landed right in West Africa. Anime and manga were a big part of our childhood. We really connected with everything we watched when we were young, and it gave us a lot of courage and strength, not just to work hard in school, but to fully commit to everything we did. I am Aqua Oshino, a character from the anime Oshinoko. Fans gather to prove that otaku culture is more than just a hobby, it's a collective superpower. The festival is celebrated with cosplay contests, video game tournaments, manga workshops, calligraphy sessions, merchandise stalls and even a manga-themed tea break, because even heroes need to recharge. I've never done this before. It is my first time doing calligraphy. I really like how anime portrays Japanese culture. I also appreciate the sense of honour in those shows. I'm totally hooked on the otaku culture. Even the Japanese are amazed by the way Benin brought their iconic characters to life. Finding otaku culture here, I have to say, I'm surprised. Behind the colourful wigs and costumes, there's real talent. Take Melon, for example, who tells the story of King Tofa of Dahomey fighting the God of Thunder. Here, African legends and superheroes stand alongside Naruto and Goku. When I was six, I loved drawing and everything, but what really motivated me to keep going in this field was the series Dragon Ball. This cultural blend goes beyond cosplay and stories. Local designers use African fabrics to make manga-inspired fashion, and artists add traditional music and dance to otaku themes. Fans of Japanese culture in Benin are closing the gap between the two countries, creating a vibrant, border-free community.

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