From cardboard to cosplay: Kenya’s anime fans turn creativity into culture

A Celebration of Anime in Nairobi

Nairobi’s Otamatsuri anime and manga convention drew thousands of fans this weekend, with costumes inspired by popular Japanese franchises like One Piece, Naruto and Gachiakuta. Organiser Jotham Micah, co-founder of the entertainment company Movie Jabber, said more than 4,000 people attended the event, described as one of the largest of its kind in Africa.

Micah highlighted the cross-cultural appeal of anime and manga. “The beauty of anime and manga has transcended the borders of culture,” he said, adding that the medium “gives you life. It gives you inspiration.”

Creativity on a Budget

For many Kenyan cosplayers, creating costumes means working with limited resources. Julius Mokaya, a 34-year-old building caretaker and two-time winner of the convention’s costume competition, cannot afford imported costumes. Instead, he salvages cardboard and other materials from recycling bins.

His apartment is filled with homemade weapons, masks and accessories. This year, he spent months crafting a costume based on Enjin, a character from Gachiakuta, a manga about an exile in a dumping ground. “The message of the story is that trash and things thrown out aren’t really bad,” Mokaya said.

Despite the financial strain, Mokaya embraces the creative challenge. “I’m broke half the time, but... I love the creative aspect, the deep dive into research and understanding the character,” he explained.

The hobby has raised eyebrows among his relatives. “Relatives saw what I was doing on social media and asked my father if I had joined a cult,” he recounted.

Crafting Masterpieces

This year’s winner, 24-year-old Yvonne Chockey, dressed as Angewomon, an angel character from a Japanese franchise. She used a hot-sand technique to heat and bend PVC pipes into the frame for eight large white wings. “I had to cut each feather one by one and then attach them to the base. That was the most difficult part,” she said.

Chockey’s dedication reflects a broader trend among Kenyan cosplayers who invest significant time and skill into their designs. Another attendee, Shalom Donga, said the event provides a rare sense of community. “This event is special to me because I get to meet a lot of like-minded people. I don't go out a lot, so I don't have the chance to meet people in person,” she said.

A Growing Community

The convention’s success underscores the expanding popularity of anime and manga in Kenya. Micah emphasised that such events offer more than entertainment—they provide inspiration and connection. As cosplay continues to flourish, Kenyan fans are proving that creativity knows no bounds, even when resources are scarce.