The Embassy of Japan in Zimbabwe has confirmed it will once again partner with the OTAKUKON Anime Festival (OKAF) for its 2026 edition, bringing an Oscar-nominated film, a Japanese cooking demonstration, and a manga mentorship programme to the event.
The festival takes place on 23 August at Moto Republik Hub in Harare and is expected to draw between 500 and 700 attendees. This is the second consecutive year the Embassy has been involved, following its debut at OKAF 2025.
Central to this year's Japan Culture Corner is a screening of Magic Candies, a short animated film produced by Toei Animation. The film received a nomination for Best Animated Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards, making it one of the more notable screenings the festival has hosted. It is based on a children's book series by Korean author Heena Baek.
Attendees will also be able to take part in an onigiri-making session led by Chef Akira, the Embassy's resident Japanese chef. The hands-on workshop, in which participants make traditional Japanese rice balls, is one of several activations designed to move beyond passive spectatorship.
A newly launched Manga Booth will offer aspiring artists direct access to two established creators: Bill Masuku, who has worked with Disney and Netflix and is the creator of Tokoloshe Hunters and Captain South Africa; and Eli Ngundu of AfroTokyo, creator of Kalabash and a prominent figure in African manga publishing. Attendees can receive portfolio feedback and guidance on breaking into the industry, and will have the opportunity to create their own manga pages on the day.
Festival Director Archie Moyo said the booth was born out of a recognition that young Zimbabwean artists lacked not talent but access. "A conversation with Bill or Eli could genuinely change someone's trajectory," he said. "That's the kind of thing OKAF should be doing."
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The 2025 Japan Culture Corner featured calligraphy lessons, traditional games, and green tea tasting, and was described by organisers as one of the most visited areas of that year's event. Study in Japan for Africa and JICA Zimbabwe were among the participating bodies.
OTAKUKON is organised by Otaku Konnect, which also runs the Button Bash Gaming Convention and the Nakamarket Market Festival. The organisation says it has hosted more than 15 events since 2023 and has received coverage from Reuters, VOA Africa, and NewsDay.