CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan –
Over 4,000 Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) personnel, service members, and local Japanese residents participated in Comic Con Okinawa 2024 at Camp Foster from Dec. 7-8. The two-day comic convention featured voice actor panels, booths, merchandise vendors, cosplay competitions, costume workshops, and video game tournaments.
“I worked in the coordination and recruitment of our volunteer operation today with the Single Marine Program at check-ins,” said Kiana Lewis, a staff member of the SMP. “It was so amazing getting to meet so many wonderful people excited to jump in wherever needed to create a memorable experience for others.”
Volunteers came from all over the island, with the largest groups coming from Camp Schwab, Torii Station, Camp Kinser, and Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.
“I love Comic Con, and I love volunteering. Volunteering for an event is a great opportunity to see everything that goes on behind the scenes,” said Jessi Stegall, a combat graphic specialist with Communication Strategy and Operations, 3rd Marine Logistics Group. “We started on Saturday, the 7th, at 9 a.m. and worked until 7 p.m., and then on Sunday we worked from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.”
This year, over 150 volunteers helped organize security, check-ins, set-up, facilitation, and clean-up for the event.
“Volunteering for Comic Con is a great opportunity to see what other people can't,” said Stegall, a native of California. “You can see the setup of the event, meet the actors after the event while they're cleaning up, and have more one-on-one time than you would while waiting in line.”
Some of the special guests included Veronica Taylor, known for voicing Ash Ketchum in the Pokémon series, and Keone Young, a voice actor best known for his work on Avatar: The Last Airbender and World of Warcraft. Among the actors and artists were professional cosplayers, such as the members of the 501st Legion, an international costuming organization that specializes in Star Wars cosplay.
“I thought it was really cool seeing all of the handmade cosplays, and I was really interested in how they made them,” said Stegall. “I was talking to the person wearing a Darth Vader costume, and he told me it took him two years to make it.”
Kiana said that running large events can be daunting, but the volunteers brought such positivity and passion that it matched the energy of the Comic Con attendees.
“My favorite part of this event was seeing how much love and joy went into it,” said Kiana. “It was everywhere – from our talented cosplayers to our dedicated volunteers to the variety of vendors. I look forward to making it even better next year.”