For the first time since 2019, Tokyo was able to hostTokyo Comic Conagain this year. The event took place over three days, November 25th-27th, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba (just outside of Tokyo). Tokyo Comic Con had been suspended because ofCOVID-19for the past two years, opting for online-only content, and this year it was finally able to host an in-person event once again. Tokyo Comic Con started in 2016, and was able to grow for three years before the pandemic stopped it in its tracks. This year, the event was smaller than it had been in 2019, though hopefully, it will build back up to something bigger and better than ever in the coming years. With big-name celebrity guests, a stage, plenty of vendors, and real movie prop displays, there was still lots to see and do at Tokyo Comic Con 2022.
Japan has a lot of anime events over the course of the year, focusing on anime, manga,doujinshi, cosplay, and more. Comic Con is the only event of its kind that has a heavier focus on Western media, which makes it a really important event for fans of movies, TV, and comic books. Its main draw is shopping, with lots and lots of merchandise that is hard to get in Japan available for sale, and the chance to meet Western celebrities.
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Celebrity Guests
Celebrity guests have always been a huge part of Comic Con around the world, and Tokyo Comic Con is no different. Each year, the event hosts actors and actresses from some of the biggest current movies and TV, and even used to host Stan Lee every year before his death. 2022 was no different, with several big-name celebrities fromStar Wars,Marvel, andStranger Thingsin attendance.
Tokyo Comic Con 2022 hosted Karen Gillan (Marvel,Doctor Who), Anthony Daniels (Star Wars), Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future), Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things), Jamie Campbell Bower (Stranger Things), Hayden Christensen (Star Wars), Ian McDiarmid (Star Wars), James McAvoy (X-Men,His Dark Materials), and Andy Serkis (Marvel, Star Wars,Lord of the Rings). Unfortunately, Jeremy Renner (Marvel) had to cancel his appearance last-minute.
Each of the celebrity guests was available for autographs and photos, all of which were sold through advanced tickets. The lowest prices were just shy of $200 USD, and the most expensive was around $350 USD. For many fans in Japan, though, this is their only chance to meet these actors, so the queues were always long, and the tickets sold out despite their high price tag.
Cosplay
Of course, there were lots of chances tocosplayat Tokyo Comic Con 2022! Following the usual etiquette for cosplaying in Japan, all cosplayers bought a separate cosplay ticket and were asked to change at the venue, which offered changing rooms and luggage storage. Cosplayers received a special tag to wear around the event showing that they had paid the cosplay fee and followed the rules of changing at the venue and not disrupting any public spaces.
There were plenty of great cosplayers attending Comic Con, though less than there had been in past years. Again, hopefully it is something that will come back in the coming years. Comic Con had several murals available for cosplayers to take photos in front of. There were also cosplay events on the main stage throughout the weekend where cosplayers could show off their skills. Many fans also cosplayed to meet their favorite celebrity, wearing an outfit that matched the media the actor or actress was from.
Merchandise
The biggest part of Tokyo Comic Con was the vendors, and there were plenty. Both Japanese brands and international companies were selling lots of shirts, figures, posters, toys, models, and more. Prime 1 Studios, a Japanese company famous for its figurines, had a huge booth with figures costing thousands of dollars from anime, games, and movies. Even for fans that could never afford to take them home, they were displayed for photos.
The main themes of merchandise for sale across most vendors matched the celebrities that were there, considering many fans would be there for those people. That meansStar Wars,Marvel, andStranger Thingswere by far the most popular. There was also a booth dedicated toDCmerchandise, and a few for anime goods as well. Comic Con also had a sizable Artist’s Alley this year, with artists from Japan and abroad selling their artwork, handicrafts, and cosplay books.
Movie Props
Finally, one area of Comic Con was dedicated to movie prop displays. The majority were cars, with some of the most famous being from theBatmanfilms by Christopher Nolan. There were also some vehicles fromOnce Upon a Time in HollywoodandTop Gun. There was also a smaller area with costumes fromTop Gun, which were extremely popular.
In addition to the movie props, there were a few cars themed after big movies, including a beautifulBlack Panther: Wakanda Forevercar and a humvee that you could climb inside. All of these vehicles drew huge crowds of people for photos, including cosplayers posing with them and excited children especially.
While Tokyo Comic Con 2022 was not as big as it used to be, it was still a great event. It is really special for Tokyo to have a chance to celebrate not only greatanimeand manga, but also Western media that is popular in Japan as well. In May 2023, Osaka will also be hosting Comic Con as well, so the event is only growing. HopefullyTokyo Comic Con2023 will see a return to what the event used to be, especially as tickets for this year were sold out before the event even started!
