We’re doing things slightly differently this year, with a post dedicated to the cosplay competition results of Comic Con Cape Town 2026.
Why? Well, out of South Africa’s two big pop culture conventions (Johannesburg’s Comic Con Africa is the other one), CCCT plays host to the most cosplay contests. Disregarding the twice-daily casual cosplay competitions, the show is home to the prestigious Comic Con Cape Town Cosplay Competition, which rewards the overall Champion with a R10,000 cash prize, and more. Around 30 contestants went through the multi-day judging process (following months, sometimes years of work) before the results were announced at the end of Sunday’s packed stage show by a judging panel consisting of crafting and competition veterans Yaya Han, Jaremi Carey, Pamikin, and Kerry von Lillienfeld.
Before that, though, on the con’s Saturday, local NGO WeCosplaySA ran the South African qualifiers for two invite-only international events: the World Cosplay Summit, an annual gathering of cosplay duos from around the world in Nagoya, Japan; and the Extreme Cosplay Gathering in Paris. Setting themselves apart from most other competitions, both WCS and ECG are performance-centric, where, in their still meticulously crafted costumes, contestants must perform short skits from Japanese and world pop culture respectively.
South African cosplay senpai Ludus Cosplay, Amanita Cosplay and former SA WCS representative Yamaki Cosplay served as this year’s judges. For the record, South Africa is the only Sub-Saharan African nation invited to participate in WCS and EGC due to the globally recognised standard of our cosplay.
Below you’ll find the results for each of these three CCCT competitions, while you can find our four-day general gallery of cosplay sightings here. In all cases, in appreciation of the cosplayers, if you spot yourself in any pic, and would like the original image, just message us on our socials, or email Noelle(at)pfangirl(dot)com. Thank you for the blood, sweat, tears and sleepless nights. We respect you madly.
World Cosplay Summit South African qualifiers
Heading off to Japan is Team Waka – comprising Amizzzly.cos and JonJoel Cosplay – who brought to life a duel from The Elusive Samurai.
Extreme Cosplay Gathering South African representatives
Meanwhile, Team Neurokitty will be waving the South African flag in France next year. Duo Frostkity and Tactical Neurotic performed a scene from high fantasy anime Frieren.
Comic Con Cape Town Cosplay Competition
- Crown Champion – The Color Of Ductape as Zarek (Magic: The Gathering)
- 2nd Place – Chris in Costume as Mad Moxxi (Borderlands)
- 3rd Place – Yorudan as Mualani (Genshin Impact)
Category Winners:
Best Makeup – Surine as Betelgeuse (Beetleuice)
Best Wig – Quality Koaliz as Neon Red (Neon White)
Best Prop – Bella II as Audrey II (Little Shop of Horrors)
Judges’ Favourite – NevermindtheJinx as Jibaro (Love Death + Robots)
Best Armor – Tashreeq Baarday as Scorpion (Mortal Kombat)
Best Needlework – Caecus as Yun Jin (Genshin Impact)
Now for some snaps from the Comic Con Cape Town Cosplay Competition stage show on Sunday, spotlighting all the participants:
