CCXP, Mexico's largest comic book and entertainment geek festival, kicks off.

The CCXP Mexico 2025 kicked off its celebration of cinema, video games, anime, entertainment and fantasy - but above all passion - this Friday afternoon in Mexico City , in a massive event that will bring together thousands of people throughout the weekend at the Citibanamex Center , summoned by film premieres, new releases of film sagas and visits from international stars that will make this gathering one of the largest in Latin America for geek culture , and in which EL INFORMADOR was present.

Hundreds and hundreds of people began arriving very early in the morning, creating a welcome din in the already chaotic capital, disrupted by afternoon thunderstorms. The Citibanamex grounds were a boundless diversity of colors and ages, people and tastes, experts in their art and new fans who took advantage of the CCXP Mexico 2025 spaces to do what they love most , but can't always achieve: being themselves in a space that gives them the freedom and agency to do so, and also to share it with the world.

Through the halls of the convention paraded superheroes and sorcerers, space soldiers and cosmic witches, ancient warriors, masked vigilantes and daylight monsters; "Star Wars" clones and Marvel villains, "Mario Bros" characters and "Hogwarts" students, "Spider-Mans" of every shape, size and color, Disney mascots and somber hooded figures looking down on the world with the haughtiness that space, costume and personification allowed the attendees to express themselves and feel free.

CCXP Mexico 2025: A convention that lets people be themselves

"Before, I was bullied for the way I dressed, because I really liked video games. They called me 'freaky' or 'otaku' ," shares Saúl, 25, dressed as the elastic 'Luffy' from the anime "One-Piece" . "But things are not like they used to be. I think we all have an 'otaku' inside. I don't know anyone who doesn't like a superhero, a cartoon, a comic. And the cool thing about places like this is that you do what you like and you realize that many other people do it too."

These emotions were echoed by Jeremías, 35 , who looked imposing in his cosplay as “Master Chief,” the iconic intergalactic combatant from the “Halo” saga. He walked through the halls of CCXP like a celebrity straight out of a video game, chased by children and adults alike, all eager to get his picture taken. He eagerly agreed, feeling a bit like the character he had impersonated. “I’ve liked video games since I was a kid. Before, people used to judge, but it feels cool to see you dressed like this and everyone wants a picture with you. It makes you feel strong, it’s a strange thing,” he shared.

The cosplay phenomenon—dressing up as one's favorite fictional character, utilizing all the resources of imagination, technique, and even the pitfalls of economics—is no small feat: for 29-year-old Sandra, it's a way of life. She came from Monterrey with a whole load of costumes and pieces she'd made herself, which caused her to have an awkward time at airport security, with the sole purpose of transforming herself, for a few days, into "Ryuko Matoi," a character from the anime "Kill la Kill."

Cosplay has been so fruitful for her in her hometown, and she's dedicated herself to it with such determination and so much heart that she's gained thousands of followers on social media. This, in turn, has provided her with financial benefits she never had in the bitterness of her office hours, which she left—she hopes for good—to dedicate herself to what she loves. "I've always liked anime and manga. I am an otaku at heart, and it's very nice that you can even make a living out of it if you really like it and if you put in the effort," she shares. "I think there isn't as much prejudice as there used to be; we're all freaks inside."

An event that brought fans closer to the best of cinema, animation and video games

CCXP Mexico 2025 not only offered a venue for people to be themselves—or pretend to be others—unencumbered by prejudice or age; it was also filled with panels and conferences where comic and animation artists could show off their art; sets inspired by Disney sagas—for example, Toy Story —where attendees could see a life-size replica of the legendary Pizza Planet; the official costumes used in the film "Wicked" and the original rings from the "Lord of the Rings" franchise were also on display. Life-size replicas of the dragons from "How to Train Your Dragon" where people happily posed; the terrifying classroom from the Amazon Prime series "Gen V" ; comic book, clothing, and collectibles stores; video game rooms where fans competed against each other; and spaces where artistic creators chatted with their fans while working their magic in real time, creating illustrations, paintings, caricatures, and other inspirational possibilities.

Such was the case of "Gemelo Catrina I" , one of the minds behind "Rey Misterio contra la oscuridad", a Mexican animated series produced by Cartoon Network, with our talent, and which was also present at CCXP 2025 as an example that Mexican animation is possible. "Last year the project premiered after 10 years of work and negotiations," shares Gemelo Catrina I . "We were finally able to release the first season and this time we are presenting the comic book adaptation. This project was heavily influenced by Mexican culture and wrestling, but also by anime and manga. Those are the pillars that built our project," shared the creator.

Mads Mikkelsen graces the first day of CCXP Mexico 2025

The first day of CCXP 2025 featured the luxurious presence of 59-year-old Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen, who, elegant and sober, unleashed a wave of applause among the Mexican public with his mere presence of dark light, and who has won the hearts of thousands around the world for characters such as "Hannibal" and "Gellert Grindelwald" from the "Harry Potter" saga. Dressed simply, with long silver hair, the actor appeared approachable, uncomplicated, and with brief smiles, but his every movement generated an immediate response from the audience, like an irremediable magnet that people followed even after the Dane said goodbye with a kiss that he threw to the audience like a paper flower.

The day also saw the presentation of young actor Xolo Maridueña , who rose to fame for his roles as "Miguel" in Cobra Kai and "Jaime Reyes" in "Blue Beetle" , and who brought together a younger, more raucous audience, who have followed step by step the paths that his career has taken. Both stars spent time with their fans, and shared what it has been like for them to play these characters that have remained in the memories and hearts of thousands of people around the world, and whose presence gave a glimpse into what the convention will have in the days to come.

Saturday and Sunday are anticipated to be crowded days for CCXP, as the venues will receive visits from international artists such as Scarlett Johansson, Pedro Pascal and the cast of Fantastic Four, Dacre Montgomery –the terrible and irresistible “Billy” from “Stranger Things”, James Gunn and John Cena , in addition to exclusive previews of series, films, film sagas and anime such as “Dexter: New Blood”, “Gen V”, “31 Minutos” , among many others.

CCXP Mexico 2025 will take place from today, May 30 , to Sunday, June 1, at Citibanamex in Mexico City.

MF