EgyCon brings out Egypt's best cosplayers and otakus – in pictures

The seventh EgyCon was held in Cairo's The Greek Campus on January 31

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  Mosa DaVinci, 25, poses for a portrait dressed as The Joker at EgyCon, an annual gathering for comic book enthusiasts, in Cairo, Egypt. AP Photo

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  Ahmed Mohammed, 21, poses for a portrait dressed as Harry Potter at EgyCon, an annual gathering for comic book enthusiasts, in Cairo. AP Photo

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  A contestant in a costume contest poses for a selfie with a visitor at EgyCon, an annual convention for comics enthusiasts, in Cairo. AP Photo

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  Mustafa Samir poses for a portrait dressed as the Marvel character Loki at EgyCon, an annual gathering for comic book enthusiasts, in Cairo. AP Photo

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  A team prepares for a costume competition at EgyCon, an annual convention for comics enthusiasts, in Cairo. AP Photo

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  A woman applies makeup on a contestant in a costume competition at EgyCon, an annual convention for comics enthusiasts, in Cairo. AP Photo

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  Heba Tallah, 26, poses for a portrait dressed as Lux at EgyCon, an annual gathering for comic book enthusiasts, in Cairo. AP Photo

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  A contestant performs in a costume competition at EgyCon, an annual convention for comics enthusiasts, in Cairo. AP Photo

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  A contestant watches backstage during a costume competition at EgyCon, an annual convention for comics enthusiasts, in Cairo. AP Photo

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  A contestant prepares for a costume competition at EgyCon, an annual convention for comics enthusiasts, in Cairo. AP Photo

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  Noureen Khalid, 16, poses for a portrait dressed as a character of her own creation at EgyCon, an annual gathering for comic book enthusiasts, in Cairo. AP Photo

Egypt’s gamers, otakus, cosplayers and artists gathered to celebrate their love for comic book culture in the seventh iteration of EgyCon. The convention, held at Cairo’s The Greek Campus on January 31, attracted audiences by the thousands. The event featured cosplay competitions, miniature car races and live performances of beloved anime songs.

EgyCon originally started in 2013 with a series of small gatherings. The first convention was organised in 2014 to accommodate the increasing turnout. It was initially set up as a meet up between otakus – a Japanese term for people with interests in anime and manga – but it quickly grew to become a celebration of all things pop culture.

Scroll through our gallery to have a look at this year’s cosplayers and otakus.

If you feel like you're missing out, don't worry. Dubai's Middle East Film and Comic Con is right around the corner. Tickets to the convention, which runs from Thursday to Saturday, March 5 to 7, are now available on the festival's website.

The pop culture convention is one of the biggest of its kind in the region, featuring everything from rare comic book selections to Q&A sessions with celebrities.

The 2020 celebrity line up of actors, cosplayers and artists has yet to be revealed. Some screen favourites who attended last year's convention include Shazam's Zachary Levy, The Walking Dead's Ross Marquand, Game of Thrones' Iwan Rheon, The Avenger's Benedict Wong and Arrow's Katie Cassidy.