Otakufest 2025 Brings Cosplay, Gaming, and Pop Culture Fever Back to Cebu

Lifestyle & Entertainment

Otakufest 2025 is set to return on February 22 and 23 at SM Seaside City Cebu’s Tower Garden, bringing one of the Visayas’ biggest hobby conventions back for its 17th year. The event, which opens at 10:00 AM, will feature a mix of cosplay, gaming, music, and creative competitions, drawing fans from across the region.

This year’s guest lineup includes Malaysian cosplayer Mikki, independent VTuber Dokibird, and local artist Meream, known for her original works. Solleania, a member of the Cebu cosplay community, will also be present as the official representative of Otakufest’s mascot, Ara-chan. Returning to the convention is cosplayer Liabear, who has been a familiar face at previous Otakufest events.

Live performances will be a major highlight, with local talents taking the stage. Among the scheduled acts are bands Nami 波 and Final Fentanyl, dance group BROSFAM, idol group AS⭐FIRE, and singer UniTori. The event will also feature independent gaming VTuber ASHA and Project VOLs’ Viora Weisshart, adding a digital entertainment element to the lineup.

Several competitions are set to take place, including the Asian Pop Dance Competition, Kara-OK! Asian Singing Competition, and Solo Cosplay Skit Competition. Artists will also have the chance to showcase their creativity in the One-shot Comic Competition and Original Character Design Competition. Gaming tournaments will be hosted in partnership with various local groups, featuring events such as the Sabersturm Competition, Dungeons & Dragons Competition, Yu-Gi-Oh Competition, On-the-Spot Gundam Building Competition, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Competition, and fighting game tournaments for Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8.

Workshops will also be available for attendees interested in learning new skills. Organized by industry professionals and local creatives, the workshops include animation, game development, cosplay makeup, wig styling, crocheting, and prop-making. These sessions aim to provide fans with hands-on learning experiences in different fields of pop culture and creative arts.

Attendees can also explore the Artist Alley, where local creators will be selling original artwork and fan-made merchandise. The Merchandise Menagerie will offer a variety of collectibles and apparel, while the Exhibitors Emporium will feature a selection of toys, figurines, and GunPla kits for hobbyists and collectors.

Otakufest 2025 continues its tradition of being a community-driven event, bringing together fans of anime, gaming, K-pop, and other pop culture interests. The convention is made possible by its sponsors, including Phoenix Kospurei Shoppu, Sushi Station by Nonki, and Virginia Food Inc., along with major partners such as Ane-Mi Online Shop, The Company Cebu, Macology 101 by Little Chef, iAcademy, and The Lemon Co. Media partners include SunStar, MyTV Cebu, CDN, Cebu X-Geeks, VTuber News Drop, and Queen City Cebu.

As one of Cebu’s longest-running pop culture events, Otakufest continues to expand its reach and offerings. With a packed schedule of activities, competitions, and performances, this year’s convention is expected to draw thousands of attendees looking to celebrate their shared interests in a vibrant and welcoming environment.