Thousands Gather for Record-Breaking Comic Con Astana Event
Get ready, pop culture enthusiasts! Comic Con Astana 2025 is set to take place from July 9 to July 13 in Astana, Kazakhstan, promising an unforgettable experience for fans of comics, anime, artwork, and games.
This year's event aims to welcome a massive crowd of 75,000 guests, with 10,000 international pop culture enthusiasts expected to join in the fun. To accommodate this larger crowd, the festivities will be held at two sports complexes, Barys Arena and Astana Arena.
One of the highlights of the event is the international cosplay contest, which boasts a prize pool of 15 million tenge (~US$28,000). Contest participants are leaving no stone unturned in creating their unique costumes. For instance, Kairat, a contest participant, has details of his Captain Jack Sparrow costume made by craftsmen from different countries. His medallion was made in New Zealand, and his boots were crafted in Italy.
Another contestant, Zhuldyzai, is cosplaying Tomyris, the ancient queen of the Massagetae, drawing inspiration from the history of Kazakhstan and the 2019 film about Tomyris.
The special guests for this year's Comic Con Astana include Hollywood actor Esai Morales, renowned for his roles in various films, including a villainous part in "Mission: Impossible" alongside Tom Cruise. British actor Scott Adkins, known for his roles in action films, and British actor and director Andy Serkis, famous for his motion-capture performances in films like "The Lord of the Rings" and "Planet of the Apes," are also joining the event. These guests will participate in Q&A sessions and autograph signings, contributing to the event's popularity among fans.
Comic Con Astana 2025 is not just about competitions and special guests. The event features dozens of hands-on workshops this year, including making chainmail and crafting helmets. These workshops reflect the growing interest in the event and aim to engage a wider audience, including an older generation.
Natalia Abrashkina, the general producer of the festival, stated that the goal is to create areas for both children and older people to enjoy the festival together. Last year, Comic Con Astana saw grandmothers joining their grandchildren in cosplay, which was heartwarming according to Natalia Abrashkina. The organizers of Comic Con Astana 2025 want to continue this trend by expanding the content and activities to cater to an older audience.
Tickets for Comic Con Astana 2025 can be purchased on the Ticketon website. So, mark your calendars and get ready for an exciting pop culture extravaganza!
Movies and TV series will be a significant part of the Comic Con Astana 2025 festivities, with special guests such as Esai Morales, Scott Adkins, and Andy Serkis expected to share insights about their roles in renowned films like "Mission: Impossible", "Planet of the Apes", and "The Lord of the Rings". Moreover, the event will offer various hands-on workshops, including crafting helmets and making chainmail, embracing the growing interest in pop culture and aiming to engage a broader audience, including an older generation.
