Tokyo Comic Con made a grand comeback this year, marking its 30th anniversary with an in-person event held from November 25th to November 27th at Makuhari Messe. This year’s edition, the largest American comic book and Hollywood movie festival in Japan, broke attendance records and featured photo sessions and autograph signings with international stars.
The star-studded guest list included Karen Gillan (Nebula from “Guardians of the Galaxy”), Christopher Lloyd (Doc from “Back to the Future”), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO from “Star Wars”), Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine), Daniel Logan (young Boba Fett), Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader), Joseph Quinn and Jamie Campbell Bower from “Stranger Things,” Andy Serkis (Gollum in “Lord of the Rings” and Snoke in “Star Wars”), Michael Paré (Streets of Fire), Vernon Wells (“Mad Max 2” and “Commando”), and James McAvoy (Professor X from “X-Men” and “IT Chapter Two”).
These celebrities engaged in lively stage talks, and the event also featured the special premiere screening of “End of Loyalty,” directed by Yuji Katagiri and starring Michael Paré and Vernon Wells.
Tokyo Comic Con, inspired by San Diego Comic-Con and New York Comic-Con, began in 2016 with the goal of bringing a similar event to Japan. Originally a gathering for American comic book fans, Comic-Con has expanded to include science fiction, horror, fantasy, professional wrestling, and media like TV shows, movies, games, and collectibles. Notably, “Star Wars” had its first screening at San Diego Comic-Con.
In the 2000s, as Hollywood began focusing on superhero movies, Comic-Con became a major platform for promoting these films. The 2010 San Diego Comic-Con saw the announcement of “The Avengers,” with a star-studded cast including Robert Downey Jr., drawing over 100,000 attendees. As the popularity of superhero movies grew in Japan, Comic-Con garnered similar attention, becoming as significant as Cannes or the Oscars.
Tokyo Comic Con has consistently invited international stars, with past guests including Mads Mikkelsen, Orlando Bloom, Rupert Grint, Tom Hiddleston, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, and Jude Law. Marvel legend Stan Lee’s involvement as an initiator further elevated the event’s status.
In addition to meeting beloved stars, attendees enjoyed PR presentations for upcoming films and shows, browsed booths from major entertainment companies like Warner (DC) and Disney (Marvel, Star Wars), met their favorite comic book artists and writers, and marveled at movie props and cosplayers. The entire venue transformed into a vibrant celebration of pop culture, making it a must-visit event for movie and comic book fans alike.
