What we’re about
Formerly Manchester Comics Society, as someone whose adolescence consisted of delving into the worlds of graphical print and animation, originating from the Western and Eastern continents, I wish to expand this group to include manga and anime related social activities!
Some current idea's are to visit comic conventions, such as the long established annual Comic Con Manchester, and closely related anime cons within the city, with plans already underway to head to the Anime and Gaming Con at Sudgen Sports Centre. We'll be taking advantage of the odd occasion when a beloved bookstore hosts a new comic/manga series launch and author's Q&A talk. Catching the latest of anything still decent in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and cherry picking the good from the ugly in downtown DC. Brunches at Maid Cafe's and strolling around nerdy shops to pick up some much needed fan merch. Having nerdy discourse and debate at a gaming bar!
Even though it has experienced a massive surge in the past two decades, the culture revolving around cartoons is still a pretty niche one, so if anybody has any suggestions of what we could do as graphic novel enthusiasts and beyond, please let us know and it could soon feature as a future event!
If anyone is keen on organising events within a shared co-hosting role, please feel free to drop us a message about becoming an Events Organiser, we would love to have you on board!
Please be aware, photography will be taken at our events. If you wish to not be part of this, please let an organiser know.
This MeetUp is in conjunction with my first MeetUp group, the Manchester Metalheads! (https://www.meetup.com/manchester-metalheads/?eventOrigin=event_home_page). Please feel free to join up with any of our events if they are of interest to you ^o^
Let's meet outside the venue near the entrance (exact location TBC on the day), cosplay outfit completely optional! :B
Schedule:
Comic Con: 14:00-18:00pm
Cantina after-party: 18:00-21:00 (feel free to stay until closing time (TBC), this is an early kip for those attending Megacon the next day!)
For more info and to yoink your Saturday entry ticket button press here: https://www.comicconventionmanchester.co.uk/
"COMIC CON MANCHESTER is one of the UK’s largest pop culture conventions, attracting over ten thousand fans annually to our home venue, Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester. The main attraction every year is of course the star guests, and we always endeavour to bring you a variety of exciting names from movies, tv, streaming, gaming, anime and sports entertainment. In previous years Comic Con Manchester has been proud to host the likes of Tyler Hoechlin, Zachary Quinto, Seth Green, Zachary Levi and Elizabeth Berkeley.
We’re all a fan of something, and Comic Con Manchester is the best place to celebrate all things pop culture. As well as having the chance to meet your heroes, get an item signed or a photo, many guests will also appear live on stage so you’ll get to hear directly about their new projects and previous roles.
Outside of the celebs you can get your picture taken with some of our unique props and set builds; watch the fabulous cosplayers strut their stuff on stage (or join them); test yours skills in our retro and modern gaming areas; or browse through the unique gifts in our trader and artist areas with a large show floor for the perfect shopping experience for everyone in our community.
The shared fandoms and sense of community is central to everything we do. Fans from all over the UK come together every year to share their love of comics, fantasy, sci-fi, gaming, horror and cosplay. To find and bond with like-minded individuals who share their interests.
We’ll continue to grow and evolve this event as a place you can celebrate your community fandoms, discover new ones and most of all have fun!
To view our current guest line up for our next show, visit the GUESTS page."
Upcoming events (4)
See all- Comic Con Manchester 2025 @ Bowler's Exhibition Center (BEC) (Sat 26th July)BEC Arena, Manchester
This MeetUp is in conjunction with my first MeetUp group, the Manchester Metalheads! (https://www.meetup.com/manchester-metalheads/?eventOrigin=event_home_page). Please feel free to join up with any of our events if they are of interest to you ^o^
Let's meet outside the venue near the entrance (exact location TBC on the day), cosplay outfit completely optional! :B
Schedule:
Comic Con: 14:00-18:00pm
Cantina after-party: 18:00-21:00 (feel free to stay until closing time (TBC), this is an early kip for those attending Megacon the next day!)
For more info and to yoink your Saturday entry ticket button press here: https://www.comicconventionmanchester.co.uk/
"COMIC CON MANCHESTER is one of the UK’s largest pop culture conventions, attracting over ten thousand fans annually to our home venue, Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester. The main attraction every year is of course the star guests, and we always endeavour to bring you a variety of exciting names from movies, tv, streaming, gaming, anime and sports entertainment. In previous years Comic Con Manchester has been proud to host the likes of Tyler Hoechlin, Zachary Quinto, Seth Green, Zachary Levi and Elizabeth Berkeley.
We’re all a fan of something, and Comic Con Manchester is the best place to celebrate all things pop culture. As well as having the chance to meet your heroes, get an item signed or a photo, many guests will also appear live on stage so you’ll get to hear directly about their new projects and previous roles.
Outside of the celebs you can get your picture taken with some of our unique props and set builds; watch the fabulous cosplayers strut their stuff on stage (or join them); test yours skills in our retro and modern gaming areas; or browse through the unique gifts in our trader and artist areas with a large show floor for the perfect shopping experience for everyone in our community.
The shared fandoms and sense of community is central to everything we do. Fans from all over the UK come together every year to share their love of comics, fantasy, sci-fi, gaming, horror and cosplay. To find and bond with like-minded individuals who share their interests.
We’ll continue to grow and evolve this event as a place you can celebrate your community fandoms, discover new ones and most of all have fun!
To view our current guest line up for our next show, visit the GUESTS page." - Megacon Live Manchester 2025 @ Manchester Central (Sun 27th July)Manchester Central, Manchester
This MeetUp is in conjunction with my first MeetUp group, the Manchester Metalheads! (https://www.meetup.com/manchester-metalheads/?eventOrigin=event_home_page). Please feel free to join up with any of our events if they are of interest to you ^o^
Let's meet outside the venue near the entrance (exact location TBC on the day), cosplay outfit completely optional! :B
For more info and to yoink your Sunday entry ticket button press here: https://megaconlive.com/manchester/
"Get ready for MegaCon Live & Kids Mega Zone. The ultimate Popular Culture Show with Guests, Games, Anime, TokFEST, Manga, Movies, Steampunk, Yu-Gi-Oh, Stormtroopers, Cosplay and so much more. Don’t miss our Kids Mega Zone, featurng a host of inflatable and interactive attractions for little heroes to enjoy! Even better with the amazing news that KIDS 10YRS & UNDER GO FREE (T&Cs Apply)"
- Raku Con 2025: Japanese Pop Culture + Afterparty @ Pendulum Hotel (Sat 16th Aug)Pendulum Hotel, Manchester M1 3BB
Start time for our meetup (2pm) is much later than opening time (which is at 10am) to encompass the fact that we'd be heading to the anime and emo afterparty (8pm-3am) so will need to save some energy for the end of the day/night!
Schedule:
Raku Con MeetUp: 2-6pm
Dinner at Kampus: 6-8pm
Anime and emo afterparty: 8-3pmLet's meet inside the venue near the entrance, cosplay outfit completely optional! :B
Raku Con tickets: Nab it here!
Raku Con Instagram: Click here!
Raku Con venue and food/drink details: Click me!
History of Raku Con:
"RakuCon is a Japanese Popular Culture convention organised by Raku Events, an events company founded by a cosplayer (Kay), and an artist (Jake). RakuCon is a vibrant, cosy, fun and safe event for all attendees and artists with plenty to enjoy over the exciting weekend!
The first RakuCon took place in Manchester at Pendulum Hotel on the 20th - 21st August 2022.
The second RakuCon took place in Manchester at Pendulum Hotel on the 12th - 13th August 2023. RakuCon was back, bigger and better than before. We partnered with Nintendo UK to host the Splatoon 3 European Championships 2023 UK & Ireland, extended our event space at Pendulum Hotel & Conference Centre and hosted our very first cosplay competition.
The third RakuCon took place in Manchester at Pendulum Hotel on the 17th - 18th August 2024. This was the first time we had a fully dedicated game room with both video and board games! We further expanded our event space and hosted opening and closing ceremonies as well.
RakuCon will return in 2025 on the 16th - 17th August at Pendulum Hotel. This year we’re looking to go even bigger and we’re so excited to show you what we have planned! Are you Raku ready?!"
