Hailing all comic book, cartoon, anime, movie, TV, art, music, gaming and cosplay enthusiasts, fans, amateurs, professionals and nerds — everyone. Beam into Līhuʻe this weekend for Kaua‘i Comic Con 5.
The annual convention that celebrates everything pop culture and more returns for its fifth year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 18 at Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall, located at 4191 Hardy St.
Early bird tickets for just $19 are still available through July 17 online. Tickets are $25 Saturday at the door. Keiki 12 years old and younger are free with a paying adult.
“Kaua’i Comic [Con] is thrilled to announce that it will be returning for another year of fun and excitement,” says the event website. “This years convention is shaping up to be the best one yet.”
Expect a wide variety of vendors selling comics, collectibles, art and other cool merchandise along with panel discussions and special guests. There also will be a cosplay contest for anyone who wants to dress up and portray their favorite character to compete for prizes.
A gaming area is another convention feature, allowing anyone to play cherished tabletop games, including Dungeons & Dragons, as well as favored video games.
And that’s all just on the first roll for initiative.
“Whether you’re a fan, exhibitor or just curious, come on out,” the convention website says. “We’ve got you covered!”
Watch fun performances of music and more; check out all the vendor booths offering cool toys, comics and goodies for sale; visit Artists’ Alley to see amazing artwork from popular local artists; and more. Plus, enjoy delicious food trucks as well as drink and snack vendors when you need to replenish your mana or just want something to snack on while you raid the dungeon.
“Get ready for a day full of fandom and fun,” says the Kaua‘i Comic Con website.
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Featured on the Kauai‘i Comic Con main stage
Live performance: Music from movies, TV, video games and anime with violinist Kimberly Hope
- Time: 10:30 to 11 a.m.
- Experience your favorite soundtracks like never before. Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award–nominated Hope is one of the convention’s most popular and anticipated performers. Her electrifying live performances are a staple of Kauaʻi Comic Con, delighting audiences year-after-year. It’s pure geek magic, packed with energy and fun.
“K-Pop Demon Hunters”: Sing-along Karaoke
- Time: 11 to 11:45 a.m.
- Back by popular demand, join this high-energy K-pop extavaganza in the theater. Belt out your favorite songs from the hit animated film. With lyrics on the big screen, an enthusiastic crowd singing along and free foam glow sticks for participants (while supplies last). It’s a fun concert-like experience you won’t want to miss.
“Rooster Fighter” screening
- Time: Noon to 12:45 p.m.
- Anime fans won’t want to miss this special screening of the action-comedy series based on the hit manga, following the fearless rooster Keiji as he battles monstrous threats to protect humanity. This screening is made possible thanks to the generous support of VIZ Media. Japanese with English subtitles. Children 10 years old and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian; parental supervision is encouraged as the show includes fantasy violence, scary creature scenes, adult humor and brief comedic chicken mating behavior.
Live performance: Music from movies, TV, video games and anime with violinist Kimberly Hope
- Time: 1 to 1:45 p.m.
- Experience your favorite soundtracks again like never before as Hope takes the stage for a second time.
Live performance: Music from movies, TV, video games and anime with Aldrine Guerrero on ‘ukulele
- Time: 2 to 2:45 p.m.
- Get ready for an unforgettable musical journey with award-winning ‘ukulele artist Aldrine Guerrero, who is known for his performances in Adam Sandler’s “Hotel Transylvania” and the iconic “The Simpsons × Bob’s Burgers” crossover couch gag. Guerrero brings beloved themes and fan-favorite songs to life with his signature style.
Cosplay contest presented by Hawai‘i’s cosplay queen Night Darling
- Time: 2 p.m. pre-judge; 3 to 4 p.m. live contest
- Suit up! From anime and video games to movies, TV shows and every corner of pop culture, experience an amazing showcase of incredible costumes as participants transform and roll out to become heroes, villains and fan-favorite characters. Cheer on your favorites as cosplayers compete for prizes and comic con glory.
Kaua‘i Comic Con 5 special guests
- One of Kevin Smith’s “Comic Book Men,” Chen works on many of Smith’s online projects and also ventures into several other areas within the Kevin Smith empire, most recently hosting a weekly podcast called “I Sell Comics!” on Smith’s podcast network SModCo.
- Arucan is a Filipino and Japanese-American storyboard artist born and raised in Hawaiʻi. He is best known for his work on the animated series “Hazbin Hotel” and “Helluva Boss” on Prime Video.
- Viguié is a New York Times Best-selling Author of 70 novels, including the “Wicked” series and “The Psalm 23 Mysteries” series. She also writes thrillers, espionage and sci-fi action novels and is an actress who appeared in many indie films and stage productions. Her latest collaboration with the Harp Twins on “Twin Destinies” is a highlight of her career. Viguié lives in Hawai‘i with her cats Patches, Schrödinger, Faraday and Marie Curie.
- Murakami was born and raised in Hawai‘i. He has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, and is perhaps best known for his line of Local Kine Greeting Cards depicting humorous occasions and holidays in the islands. He has regular comic strips including “Calabash” in Honolulu Star-Advertiser and “Generation Gapwith” in Hawai‘i Herald. Murakami also illustrated several Hawaiian children’s books and self-publishes comic books “Gordon Rider” and “The Ara-Rangers.”
7Sketches
- Hawai‘i-based artist Derick Fabian is founder of 7Sketches. He is known for original sticker art, or “slaps.” 7Sketches created a world of mashup characters that now are infiltrating the islands and beyond, blending the spheres of cartoons, anime, comic books and manga along with hip-hop and local culture. Follow 7Sketches on Facebook and Instagram.
Night Darling
- Hawai‘i’s cosplay queen was born and raised on Maui and has been cosplaying more than 4 years. She has a love for all things nerd/pop culture from anime to comics and gaming. Night Darling is taking Hawai‘i cosplay to a whole new level as she works with some of the state’s top photographers, videographers, makeup artists and local artists. Follow Night Darling on Facebook and Instagram.
Click here for additional information about these special guests and discover additional guests who will be at this year’s convention.
Special exhibit
“Star Trek” Prop and Costume Exhibit
- This display returns to the convention exhibit hall, featuring screen-used “Star Trek” props and costumes from “Star Trek” TV shows and movies. View a selection of items purchased during the Paramount Pictures sales of original “Star Trek” props and costumes.
Official merch
Don’t forget about all the available official Kaua‘i Comic Con merchandise, too, this year featuring Mecha Chicken, a character designed by The Kaiju King himself Matt Frank, a comic book artist who has worked on “Godzilla,” “Power Rangers,” “Transformers,” “Gamera” and “Ultraman.”
You’ll also find variants of Mecha Chicken drawn by Murakami, Hiroshi Kanatani, Fabian, Jimmy Sparrow and Michael Cannon.
Check out the Kaua‘i Comic Con Shop now!
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“We can’t wait to see all the fans, cosplayers and creators who will be joining us,” says the convention website. “Be sure to mark your calendars, and we’ll see you at the convention!”
Visit the Kaua‘i Comic Con website for additional information. You can also follow the convention on Instagram and Facebook.
