ENTERTAINMENT NEWS - Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) is returning to Comic Con Africa as an official partner and headline sponsor, with its gaming platform, The Toyota Gaming Engine (TTGE), introducing what it describes as the country’s first vehicle-specific cosplay competition.
Comic Con Africa 2026 takes place from 24 to 27 September at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, bringing together gaming, pop culture, creativity and fandom.
This year, TTGE is expanding its focus beyond gaming to include South Africa’s cosplay community through the TTGE Cosplay Competition.
A new category for car-inspired cosplay
The competition challenges participants to design and build original cosplay inspired by any Toyota vehicle. Entries can take any creative direction, from literal vehicle recreations to humanoid, futuristic or stylised interpretations.
Entries are open to individuals aged 18 and older who hold a valid Comic Con Africa ticket. Participants can enter individually or as teams of up to four, with entries closing on 25 September.
Each entrant will receive a downloadable TTGE Cosplay Starter Pack containing official brand assets, colour references and build guidance.
Live judging will take place on the Comic Con Africa main stage from 15:00 to 15:30 on Saturday, 26 September. Contestants must check in at the TTGE stand at 14:30.
Judging will be based on five equally weighted criteria: creativity and originality, Toyota interpretation, craftsmanship, innovation and resourcefulness, and stage presence.
The competition is designed to reward creativity and craftsmanship rather than spending power, with participants encouraged to use DIY, recycled and accessible materials.
R10 000 cash among prizes
The overall winner will receive R10 000 in cash, a GAZOO Racing driving experience for two at Zwartkops Raceway, and Comic Con Africa 2027 weekend passes for themselves and two guests.
The runner-up will receive a R3 000 eGift24 voucher and 2027 weekend passes, while third place will receive a R1 500 eGift24 voucher and 2027 weekend passes.
Additional daily prizes will also be awarded from the TTGE stand throughout the four-day event.
Gaming and interactive experiences
The TTGE stand will offer free-to-play gaming across sim racing, console and mobile titles.
Visitors can try Gran Turismo 7 on full-motion racing rigs, alongside Street Fighter, EA FC and Brawlhalla on console, as well as Clash Royale and Subway Surfers on mobile.
Daily tournaments, leaderboards, Beat The Pro challenges and prize handovers will take place from the stand’s mini stage.
The TTGE stand will offer free-to-play gaming across sim racing, console and mobile titles.
TTGE will also have a 30-minute slot on the Comic Con Africa main stage each day. The Load The Hilux game will run on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, while Saturday will feature the cosplay competition.
Load The Hilux comes to life
Toyota will bring a physical version of its Load The Hilux game to the event’s food court.
The free daily mini-game, based on TTGE’s Brake Time platform, challenges attendees to load oversized cargo into a full-size Toyota Hilux as quickly as possible. The fastest recorded times will qualify for daily prizes.
A custom-built Hilux transformer will also move around the show throughout the four days, acting as both a fan experience and a navigation point for the TTGE stand.
Visitors who photograph the character and share their content while tagging The Toyota Gaming Engine, or submit suggestions for its name, will have a chance to win a share of R15 000 in eGift vouchers.
GR vehicles take to the Drift X course
Toyota’s presence will also include a Drift X activation, giving attendees an opportunity to engage with a precision driving experience featuring Toyota GR vehicles on a gymkhana-style course.
The activation is designed to showcase the agility and performance of the GR range in a controlled environment.
“Through The Toyota Gaming Engine we have spent years investing in South Africa’s gaming community, and this year we are extending that to its makers and builders,” says Glenn Crompton, vice-president of marketing at Toyota South Africa Motors.
“Comic Con Africa is one of the few places in South Africa where gaming, creativity and fandom meet at scale and our role there has always been to open the door wider. A brand cosplay category has not been done here before. It is a genuine creative challenge, and we are looking forward to seeing what South Africans build.”
Full competition details and entry information are available here.
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