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Johnny Depp made an emotional return to Japan for Tokyo Comic-Con 2025, greeting over 3,000 fans in two daysA source tells PEOPLE that Depp is “overwhelmingly touched” by the support he’s receivedWhile in Japan, the actor-director also promoted his graphic novel HYDE and attended the Japanese premiere of his film Modi: Three Days on the Wings of Madness
Johnny Depp had an emotional response to the welcome he received from fans at Tokyo Comic-Con during his first visit to Japan in eight years.
As the event’s headliner, the 62-year-old actor greeted over 3,000 people in two days, remaining at Tokyo’s Makuhari Messe Convention Center until after midnight on Saturday, Dec. 6, and after 10 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7. The three-day event drew approximately 97,000 attendees — the highest attendance numbers in Tokyo Comic-Con history — with tickets selling out within 10 minutes of being released.
“Johnny is feeling overwhelmingly touched by the fan receptions he’s received,” a source tells PEOPLE. “He sees and recognizes all those who have stood by and supported him through these last several years.”
The insider adds, “It was his first trip back to Japan in eight years, and while much has changed since then, their love for Johnny remains steadfast.”
This year’s Tokyo Comic-Con, which also saw stars Sebastian Stan, Norman Reedus, and Nicholas Hoult put in appearances, was the first Comic-Con in any city that Depp has attended where he held autograph and photo sessions with fans.
Johnny Depp receives a custom piece of artwork showing his character Captain Jack Sparrow from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise in the style of anime TV series “One Piece.”.
Photo by Yasunari Akita
During his panel, the convention organizers gave Depp a custom piece of artwork. It showed his character Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise in the style of the Japanese Anime TV series One Piece, drawn by the anime’s creator, Eiichiro Oda.
“Tokyo has always held a special place in Johnny’s heart,” the source says. “He’s very much enjoyed his stay and can’t wait to return.”
Depp was at Comic-Con to promote HYDE, a dark graphic novel series that reimagines Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 novella, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Produced with director Ridley Scott, HYDE uses Depp’s likeness for the titular character.
Johnny Depp at Tokyo Comic-Con 2025.
Photo by Yasunari Akita
The actor was also in Tokyo for his art exhibition, “A Bunch of Stuff,” and for the Japanese premiere of his movie Modi: Three Days on the Wings of Madness, which he directed. Depp’s Japan visit followed a trip to Argentina, where he was greeted by a crowd of fans as the Mayor of Buenos Aires presented him with the Key to the City.
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More public appearances await Depp in 2026. Next year, he will star in the movie Day Drinker, which reunites him with Penelope Cruz — whom he previously worked with in the films Blow (2001), Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) and Murder on the Orient Express (2017) — and in Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, an adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens novel, alongside Ian McKellen.
AloJapan.com