January 27, 2026
KARACHI – Karachiites are usually hard to keep indoors, thanks to the city’s vibrant energy, but the sudden winter chill this weekend made even routine outings a challenge, let alone an open-air event. Still, the cold barely slowed the crowd at Karachi’s Arts Council, where Geek Con was in full swing, bringing together cosplay, gaming, anime screenings, fan art and live performances.
Karachiites brave the cold for Geek Con
The two-day event, held on January 24 and 25 from 4pm to 10pm, was more than a pop-culture gathering — it was a space where generations met, mingled, and, in a rare and effortless manner, blended.
“This is the one place where the whole generation gap kind of dissolves,” 35-year-old cosplayer Hafsa Mahida told Images. Dressed as Luisa Madrigal from Disney’s Encanto, she said she spent a month gathering materials and a week putting her costume together.
If you love anime, manga or comics, you belong here. No one gives you looks. People are welcoming. This is the place where you are you.”
The event saw children in colourful costumes moving among stalls selling anime-inspired merchandise, acrylic swords, jewellery and accessories, while young adults could be seen clustered around gaming screens, joysticks in hand. Some attendees lingered over steaming cups of chai, letting the warmth seep through their fingers as anisong drifted from the outdoor stage. Others were absorbed in board games in the covered area or browsing through manga and comic collections. Everyone was fully immersed in the experience.
At its core, Geek Con is a celebration of fandom and imagination, a subculture that has grown from niche to something far more visible over the years, according to organiser Yasir Obaid. “You can be into literally anything. It can be gaming, anime, or comic books. You just need an imaginative mind. You can come out, meet new people, make friends, and have a safe space where you can fully express yourself,” he explained.
The event was bigger and livelier than in previous years. “The crowd had grown so much that navigating the venue was almost a challenge. Certainly a good problem to have,” 27-year-old Obaid said with a chuckle.
Visitors enjoyed a mix of performances, from a vintage Linkin Park set reimagined with anime music videos to a high-energy, anime-themed dance routine by Anarchy. There were karaoke sessions that let fans belt out their favourite anime and pop songs, while interactive games like Jeeto Geek Con and Harry Potter-style challenges kept participants engaged and competing for prizes. Away from the stage, stalls serving dainty snacks and anime-inspired treats added flavour to the event, giving guests a chance to refuel between activities.
A separate area was set up for gaming enthusiasts, where Tekken 8 tournaments and Pakistan Pro League sessions were held, with players and spectators cheering and groaning at every move. On the other side of the same hall, card games hosted by The Gamekeeper’s Guild drew small, focused crowds, while the fan art display, “Wall of Heroes,” attracted people eager to admire the work of local artists.
Why fans keep coming back
Thirty-five-year-old Ayesha Amir, who was visiting from Sydney, Australia, with her sister, told Images that she initially came to the event reluctantly but was pleasantly surprised. “I’ve been a fan of anime and manga since I was 12, but I’d never been to one of these events here,” she said, seated quietly in a corner, smiling as children passed by in handmade costumes. “The passion here is very real. People are open about what they love. It’s getting people out of their houses in a positive environment.”
Speaking about what drew her to anime, she said it had always been about escapism. “When you watch it, you forget all your worries. It calms you down.”
Another participant, Rahima Tahir, 31, cosplaying as Lucy, a disguise worn by Monkey D Luffy in One Piece, shared how anime shaped her outlook. “Whenever I’m down, I watch Naruto,” she said. “It teaches you to always get up and never fall down.” She has been following manga and anime since childhood, saying that while subcultures like this were niche in Pakistan, they had the power to positively influence identity and motivation.
Another participant, 50, had come with her son, braving the cold despite needing to leave early. “You have to be young at heart to watch anime,” she said. “Age is not a limit at all.” She pointed out that in many countries, fans in their 70s also attend conventions, and it was completely acceptable. “Anime is emotional. When I watch it, I forget all my worries.”
The two-day event, held on January 24 and 25 from 4pm to 10pm, was more than a pop-culture gathering — it was a space where generations met, mingled, and, in a rare and effortless manner, blended. PHOTO: DAWN
She and her son had just watched the latest episode of Jujutsu Kaisen season three the day before and were excited to watch it again. “I did feel like I belonged here. Even if most people are younger, age doesn’t matter. We explored the stalls, tried some food, and just enjoyed the atmosphere.”
When asked what she would tell someone unfamiliar with conventions, she said, “Pakistan has so much potential for events like this. Anime is such an emotional part of people’s lives. It connects you to the story and the characters and helps you forget your worries.”
Cosplay, creativity taking the centre stage
For teenagers like 16-year-old Ayzel Asif, who came to participate in the cosplay walk as Hornet from the game Silksong, blending into the multigenerational crowd was effortless. “Everyone is so sweet here,” she told Images, shivering slightly. “I love it, but I wish it weren’t so cold. Being happy makes you forget about that. The management is good. It feels nice to be here.”
Other participants spoke about the freedom the event offered from judgement. Aiman Raza, 29, who cosplayed as Velma from Scooby-Doo, said, “People think it’s just cartoons. But anime isn’t for kids. This is where you can be free from stereotypes and just enjoy yourself.”
Mohid Ali Khan, 25, who chose to cosplay as Naked Snake from Metal Gear Solid 3, said the costume was a nod to his childhood and the generational shift in pop culture tastes. “It’s not really about a niche community,” he explained. “It’s more about the generational gap. Our elders grew up with old actors and singers, then we moved on to comics, and now Gen Z is into anime and video games. It just keeps evolving.”
He made his costume largely by hand, including parts fashioned from his mother’s old leather purse. “I just bought the fabric and built the rest myself. It took me a day,” he said.
On the cost of the hobby, he shrugged and said, “Every hobby costs something. Games are expensive. But the point isn’t spending but enjoyment, the peace it gives you. There are cheaper options too, but this was my choice. It’s about creativity, growing up, and having a little escape. Like drawing, it’s a dopamine rush. Sometimes you just want to chill and immerse yourself.”
Eshal Hasan, 22, who came to the event cosplaying as popular anime character Frieren, stole the show with a costume that combined creativity and technical flair. She even carried a staff fitted with a 3D hologram fan, which projected moving, glowing images that simulated magical effects. Fans couldn’t resist taking pictures with her.
“I chose it because I thought I could do a lot with this cosplay, including my hijab,” she said. “And with the hologram, I thought it could be really creative.” Most of the components were ordered online from eBay and assembling everything took around two weeks.
“I love the event,” she said. “I did the art competition, and everyone was so friendly. The vibe is great, and I’m really happy with it. And if someone comes here for the first time and doesn’t know much about anime or comics, they’ll want to get into it. They’ll be motivated to be part of this culture.”
She smiled at the excitement around her: “People came to take pictures with me because the costume was so creative.”
Gaming zones and fan art drawing crowds
Ali Osman Khan, 34, who had come to set up a board games stall, couldn’t resist taking a break to wander into the gaming zone. “When you’re playing, you imagine yourself as that character,” he said. “Video games or board games, it’s the same. You step into someone else’s shoes for a while.”
He chuckled when talking about the stigma adults sometimes face for gaming. “People say, ‘Big boy, you’re playing a game?’ But this is our life too. Your job, your kids — that’s reality. This is just for fun, a way to unwind.”
Ali Ansar, a 23-year-old helping set up a card game stall, attended Geek Con for the first time. “This is very fun, very interactive. It feels inclusive. Every kind of person comes to this space. It allows everyone to interact together,” he said.
Keeping their inner child alive
Cosplayers didn’t let the winter chill stop them. When asked about the cold weather, Shahzain Aslam, 27, shirtless and barefoot as he cosplayed Akaza from Demon Slayer, shrugged and said, “You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.” Mustafa Afridi, 36, dressed as Vander from Arcane, described the event as a way of keeping “the inner child alive”.
As the final cosplay walk ended and the closing ceremony drew near, the crowd stayed. Children, parents, those who came for the first time, and lifelong fans huddled together against the cold, united by stories, games, and imagination. As the Luisa Madrigal cosplayer said, this was a space where generations blended, barriers faded, and everyone, no matter their age, could be themselves.
“If you love this, you can be a part of it,” she said. “Even if you grew up in the 90s or with older characters, you can bring them to life. You don’t have to follow new trends or Gen Z. Any character you love, you belong here.”