Cosplay, comics and crowds: Comic Con Okinawa sees largest turnout yet

Two female cosplayers in elaborate costumes posing with young children at a convention. One cosplayer has an elaborate headgear and gas mask, the other wears a black helmet. A person in the foreground takes a photo with a smartphone.

Wyatt Ebbat, 3, and Gabriel Ebbat, 6, pose with cosplayers during Comic Con Okinawa at Camp Foster, Dec. 14, 2025. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes)

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — Comic Con Okinawa drew more than 10,000 fans of pop culture, sci-fi, fantasy and cosplay to this Marine Corps base over the weekend, marking its largest turnout yet, according to event organizers.

Hosted Saturday and Sunday by Marine Corps Community Services, the 12th annual convention attracted roughly 6,000 more attendees than last year.

The event featured gaming, art exhibitions, cosplay contests and appearances connected to franchises such as Pokémon, Power Rangers, Yu-Gi-Oh! and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Special guests included Elise Baughman, the voice of Pan in the “Dragon Ball” series; Eddie McClintock, known for his role on SyFy’s “Warehouse 13”; and comic book inker Jeremy Clark, whose work includes “Batman,” “Gargoyles” and “Blade Runner.”

Clark, who last attended Comic Con Okinawa in 2023, said the event has noticeably expanded.

“It’s taken what’s good about the previous events and built upon it, making it better for the individuals that want to participate and make it an overall positive experience,” he told Stars and Stripes on Saturday.

Multiple R2-D2 robots from Star Wars move across a floor inside an indoor convention space. Spectators and participants holding remote controls stand around watching the race.

Conventiongoers take part in a “Star Wars” drone race during Comic Con Okinawa at Camp Foster, Dec. 13, 2025. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes)

Two men in casual attire standing at a convention booth. Colorful artwork and promotional materials are visible on the booth behind them.

Comic book inker Jeremy Clark poses with fans during Okinawa Comic Con at Camp Foster, Dec. 14, 2025. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes)

Cosplayer dressed as a soldier character wearing an all-white outfit with a large white helmet, black visor, and holding a black prop rifle.

Antoni Hairston, a civilian contracter, poses while dressed as a character from the movie “Spaceballs” during Comic Con Okinawa at Camp Foster, Dec. 14, 2025. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes)

A group of cosplayers posing together at an indoor convention.

Cosplayers pose during Okinawa Comic Con at Camp Foster, Dec. 14, 2025. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes)

Conventiongoers wandered the Fieldhouse, Community Center and Globe & Anchor inside Ocean Breeze in costumes ranging from “Star Wars” and Marvel characters to custom designs, including one fan dressed as a character from the comedy film “Spaceballs.”

Lance Cpl. Gerardo Mendez, of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, who was attending Comic Con Okinawa for the first time Sunday, said the creativity on display stood out.

“I think it was a great opportunity for everyone to express themselves,” he said. “I came out to see what it was all about. I was impressed with how unique some of the outfits were.”

Comic Con Okinawa began in 2011 at the Camp Foster library and has been hosted by MCCS since 2013. The only interruption came in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, said MCCS assistant program manager Tony Washington.

“Every year, we look forward to hosting this event and finding new ways to make it even better,” he said by email Tuesday. “This year’s attendance numbers are a strong indicator that both the military and local community value this event as much as we enjoy providing it. The current plan is to continue hosting this event annually.”