Following Comic Con in Astana, another pop-culture and cosplay convention was held in Kazakhstan, this time in Almaty. The event, called Almacon, took place on Nov. 16, bringing together fans of anime, comics, video games and related merchandise. As always, the key element and main appeal of any comic con is cosplay — and this year, the festival did not disappoint.
Cosplay enthusiasts from across Kazakhstan attended the event, representing a wide range of ages and skill levels. Some were cosplaying purely for fun, while others competed for the top prize of roughly $500. One of the competing cosplayers, Kairat, 48, portraying Captain Jack Sparrow from «Pirates of the Caribbean,» traveled to the event from Zhetikara in the Kostanay region.
«I’ve been cosplaying since 2020. I got into cosplay through one of my hobbies — bartending. All my barware has pirate engravings, so I decided to create a Captain Jack Sparrow costume to entertain guests at New Year’s company parties,» he said.
Kairat added that his cosplay set cost more than $2,000. In return, the detailed costume allows him to claim that his Jack Sparrow cosplay is one of the most accurate in the world. As a cosplayer, he hopes to inspire younger enthusiasts and provide guidance through his example.
The festival showcased a wide variety of cosplayers, from homemade amateur outfits to highly detailed professional costumes, some of which were almost beyond comprehension.
In addition to cosplay, the event’s highlights included special guests such as David Lloyd, the British comic artist best known as the illustrator of «V for Vendetta.» At the festival, he hosted an autograph session and a fan Q&A on stage. Lloyd appeared enthusiastic and was impressed by both the number of attendees and the quality of their questions.
No event like this would be complete without a wide range of merchandise. Visitors could browse everything from plush toys, action figures and statues to handmade jewelry and clothing crafted by local artisans. There was also a dedicated artist alley, where visitors could purchase original works, commission pieces or receive quick portraits in each artist’s unique style.
Other entertainment included a board game corner and several custom arcade cabinets featuring retro games.
Overall, this year’s Almacon was a vibrant celebration of modern — and not-so-modern — pop culture. While the scale of the event did not match that of Comic Con Astana, the quality of the cosplay and the lively atmosphere made it a memorable experience for all attendees.
