Africa’s largest pop culture and gaming festival is underway in Johannesburg. Streaming service giants hope to expand their business in Africa with its growing population.
The festival of comics and video games opened in South Africa’s largest city on Thursday. About 350 companies and organizations are taking part, including providers of video streaming services and retailers of animation character merchandise.
US firm Netflix has a stand where people can try the marble challenge featured in the South Korean drama series “Squid Game.”
Other booths showcase Japanese comics and model kits of anime characters.
Visitors in cosplay costumes said they want to watch more Japanese anime.
An increasing number of people are enjoying anime and video games in Africa, where online and smartphone services are seeing growth due to the expanding population.
The director of Japan External Trade Organization Johannesburg, Nishiura Rikako, says Africa has great potential for Japanese companies that are eyeing new markets.