At Nairobi’s Carnivore Grounds, the annual Otamatsuri convention has rapidly evolved from a modest gathering in 2019 into a major event drawing over 4,000 fans of Japanese animation, underscoring the growing popularity of anime across Africa. The convention features a diverse group of attendees, ranging from elaborate costume creators to fans embodying characters from iconic series such as Sailor Moon and various manga titles.

Among the participants was Julius Mokaya, a building caretaker who spent months crafting a costume from recycled cardboard to portray Enjin, a character from the manga Gachiakuta. Despite his dedication, Mokaya noted that some of his relatives were skeptical about his passion, with one even questioning if he had become involved in a cult due to misconceptions about anime subcultures in the region.

The rise of anime in Africa parallels the global surge in the industry, which generated a record 3.84 trillion yen (£17.7 billion) in 2024, with international sales accounting for over half of that revenue, according to the Association of Japanese Animations. While anime’s narratives and characters remain rooted in Japanese culture, African creators have begun to localize the medium in ways that resonate with regional identities.

Nigerian storyteller Roye Okapi exemplifies this trend with his series Igyanu: Child of Wonder, which adapts the familiar archetype of an orphan with hidden powers by infusing it with Yoruba mythology. Similarly, Zambia’s Tabproduction Studios recently completed The Super, the country’s first full-length anime, featuring themes of challenging authority that connect with the frustrations of younger African generations confronting systemic issues.

Anime’s introduction to Africa primarily came through television broadcasts. South African audiences were introduced to Dragon Ball Z, a series about a warrior boy with a monkey’s tail defending Earth, during after-school programming, while in North Africa, Japanese animations reached viewers through Arabic language adaptations.

Beyond entertainment, anime has also influenced social movements on the continent. In Madagascar, the pirate flag symbol from the series One Piece, whose protagonists oppose a corrupt world government, became an emblem of Gen Z protests in 2025 that contributed to the ousting of the country’s president.

The growing enthusiasm surrounding anime in Africa illustrates how the medium continues to expand its cultural footprint, inspiring local creativity and sparking new forms of engagement among youth across the continent.