Comic Market, also known as Comiket, the world-famous twice-a-year celebration and marketplace of everything related to anime and Japanese pop culture, returns for their 2025 summer run! This year’s summer event, Comiket 106, saw a massive turnout of over 250,000 attendees despite the scorching summer weather and ongoing renovations at the East Hall, with our team at Around Akiba joining in to see what exciting sights were in store this year!
Each year, one of the most anticipated aspects of Comiket is the abundance of cosplayers, ranging from casual cosplayers to those doing so professionally. Corporate booths in particular hired stunning cosplayers who appeared throughout both days, such as the Goddess of Victory: Nikke booth featuring cosplayers like Dorothy and Neon in summer-themed swimsuits against a battleship backdrop, and Heaven Burns Red drawing such large crowds that photography was limited to keep lines moving. Official cosplayers at the Fate booth stunned fans with classic Saber and Lancer outfits, while attendees braved the sun in “heat-fighting gear” to showcase their own costumes, with Blue Archive and Zenless Zone Zero characters being particularly popular choices in the outdoor areas.
The cosplay scene also extends into the second day of the event, where independent cosplayers and models showcased themselves and their products throughout the halls of Tokyo Big Sight. Photobooks, DVDs, and personalized merchandise were offered by professionals, with the West Hall becoming a hub for VTuber enthusiasts and the South Hall rooftop hosting thousands of cameramen. Popular models and independent creators greeted fans personally, offering exclusive shots and signed works featuring trending characters from Takopii’s Original Sin and Oshi no Ko.
On the first day, the vendor halls focused primarily on independent artists and those selling doujinshi inspired by mobile games and anime. The South Hall was packed with circles dedicated to Uma Musume, Azur Lane, and Gakuen Idolmaster, where creators sold everything from illustrations to fan-made music. Unique to this year, the military and “unique hobby” sections in the East Hall drew surprising attention with detailed guides on everything from tank maintenance to cooking, proving that Comiket caters to every niche imaginable.
Corporate booths maintained a heavy presence as well, with industry giants dominating the West and South exhibition areas. Kadokawa attracted long lines with promotions for the latest Re:Zero projects, while the Gakuen Idolmaster booth featured immersive live performance projections and uniform displays. Brown Dust II also made a splash with a swimwear-focused exhibit that became a major talking point.
As always, this year’s Comiket was a look at the changing pop-culture scene even through the Tokyo heat. If you want a closer look at the cosplay and attendees present at this year’s event, check out our full video on YouTube!
