One of Bahrain’s biggest pop culture events is making its return this weekend, with top celebrities and plenty of entertainment lined up for visitors.
Thousands of anime, video game, film and television lovers are expected to attend the Bahrain Comic Con (BCC) that will be held this Friday and Saturday, with organisers claiming that this could be the biggest show to date.
The convention is being held under the auspices of Supreme Council for Youth and Sport first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
“Hopefully, we can break our record this year,” BCC organisers Dallah Promotions’ managing partner Salman Bukhari told the GDN.
“Last time, about 35,000 people attended the event and this time, we are aiming for 40,000.”
This year’s star-studded celebrity line-ups include Steven John Ward, who played Dracule Mihawk in the live-action adaptation of One Piece; Manu Bennett, who played Deathstroke in the Arrow TV show; Ross Marquand, featured in The Walking Dead, Avengers: Infinity War; and, Chris Bartlett, who is known for playing a number of characters within the Star Wars TV universe, especially robots like C-3PO, RA-7 and 1-JAC.
Japanese voice actor Yuki Kaji, known as the voice of Eren Yeager in the wildly popular dark fantasy anime Attack on Titans (known among hardcore anime fans as Shingeki No Kyojin) is also set to attend BCC.
To top it all, former Premier League winner and Chelsea captain John Terry will make an appearance and sign autographs for football fans.
Furthermore, professional wrestler Paul Wight, more commonly known as The Big Show, alongside Riyadh-born Mansoor and his partner Mace, will take part as Kingdom Pro Wrestling is expected to hold a special show for fans across the country.
According to Mr Bukhari, preparations are underway as the much-awaited event draws closer.
“Preparations have been crazy,” he said.
“The line-up is bigger than ever and is covering all sectors as part of efforts to attract as many fans as possible,” he added.
“There will be a lot of different things to do for everyone, regardless of what you are interested in.
“There will be a variety of competitions, including cosplay. We also have some surprise events lined up which I do not want to reveal yet, because I want people to experience things for themselves. I believe they will have more fun this way.
“All I am going to say is, we are doing something really different this year. In fact, every year we try to get bigger and meet people’s expectations.”
Other events being advertised are gaming tournaments featuring Rocket League, Tekken 8, Valorant, Call of Duty, Fortnite, Mortal Kombat, Overwatch 2 and Apex Legends.
Mr Bukhari also has a message for all attendees and cosplayers: ‘Just have fun’.
“Relax, unwind, and make yourselves look as funky as you can,” he said.
“It’s going to be crazy, it is going to be one-of-a-kind.
“This is our fifth year, so we have to make this bigger and better than ever.
“And for the people who are just going to attend the event, be ready…be prepared…expect the unexpected.”
For more information on the event, follow the official page on Instagram @bahraincomiccon
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