Festival fanatics from all around stormed Wonderland of the Americas mall to celebrate the Year of the Snake by enjoying cultural cuisine, live performances, dozens of vendors and more. The sounds of live music and thundering drums erupted through the mall, marking Otaku Fest’s return to San Antonio on Feb. 22 and 23.
From hand-drawn prints to imported goods, rows of vendors lined the mall’s second floor, offering commodities of all kinds. Festival-goers were sure to find merchandise from their favorite media with pieces dedicated to Vocaloid, Chainsaw Man, Marvel, Final Fantasy and Pokemon.
“I love getting to meet interesting people,” stated Dina, the owner of a sweet crochet stand called Fandom Threads Studios, which sells hand-made dolls from various anime and games. “I love getting people to see my work and say, ‘Oh my grandma used to do that,’ where I say ‘Well, you can do it too.’”
After exploring the widespread array of attractions, attendants were able to walk right outside the mall to revel in a variety of food stands serving international cuisine from East and Southeast Asia. Some stands even put a fun twist on their menu by preparing capybara-shaped buns and Yakult soda. Hot-served meals warmed guests up from the chilly weather and renewed their energy for the upcoming indoor events.
Later in the festival, paper and cloth dragons danced among the festival grounds in an organized sequence that excited the crowd. Japanese sumo wrestling and choreographed performances entertained and enhanced the atmosphere throughout the festival.
In addition to this celebration of heritage, performers and cosplayers enjoyed taking pictures and chatting with fans. Much dedication is put into these hobbies to spread happiness to the people around them. The first-place winner of the festival cosplay contest mentioned that three months of hard work were put into her cosplay of Marcille — a character from Dungeonmeshi — with many pieces being hand-made.
“I love seeing people come out and have a good time while celebrating and reuniting with loved ones together,” said one of the dance performers.
Otaku Fest 2025 brought together a vibrant community of fans, creators and performers to celebrate culture, creativity and shared passions. The events and connections formed provided a unique experience for all who attended.
Whether bonding over fandoms, marveling at stunning cosplay or enjoying lively entertainment, guests were left with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for the diverse traditions woven into the event. As the festival came to a close, the excitement and joy lingered, leaving everyone anticipating next year’s celebration.
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