Swords, Selfies & Sushi: Our Mother-Daughter Day at Shogun Comicon

There’s something magical about seeing your kid’s eyes light up at the sight of their favorite anime character — especially when that character is standing right in front of them in full cosplay, sword and all.

Mom & Daughter at Shogun Comicon 2025

When I first heard about the Alias Entertainment Expo: Legend of the Shogun, I’ll admit I wasn’t entirely sure what I was signing up for. I pictured a few comic books, some moody teenagers in cloaks, and maybe a booth selling overpriced bubble tea. What I got instead was an unforgettable mother-daughter bonding adventure filled with cosplay, culture, and just the right amount of chaos.

We arrived at the Centre of Excellence on Saturday morning, greeted by an energetic crowd already in full swing. Think: Naruto, Sailor Moon, samurai, Demon Slayer masks — even a Pikachu in full feudal armor (don’t ask me how that works, but it did). My daughter, already halfway into her Kakashi Hatake cosplay, was living. I, on the other hand, was rocking a makeshift Hinata Hyuga cosplay I’d put together the night before — shoutout to YouTube tutorials and safety pins.

What struck me first was the sheer creativity everywhere. This wasn’t just a comic convention — it was a living, breathing celebration of Japanese culture and storytelling, reimagined through Caribbean flair. From the haunted house to the Komono fittings, spontaneous dance battles, every space was alive with joy.

We attended a voice actor panel — my daughter fangirled so hard when Sean Chiplock started doing his Revali voice from Zelda: Breath of the Wild that I swear she levitated. Later, we tried some Japanese street food from the vendor alley — and by “tried,” I mean devoured sushi for the first time like our lives depended on it.

One of the sweetest moments came when we wandered into the arts and crafts corner. She insisted we make matching origami shuriken — hers turned out perfect, mine… not so much. But we laughed, folded, and failed together. That’s the point, right?

Was it crowded? Oh yes. At one point, I lost her in a sea of cloaks and foam swords, only to find her posing with a group of One Piece cosplayers like she'd just found her crew. But every packed hallway and cosplay conga line just added to the energy. It felt safe, inclusive, and celebratory — a space where everyone could be weird, wonderful, and proud of it.

What started as a “sure, why not?” outing turned into one of the most joyful experiences we’ve shared all year. Alias Entertainment delivered something more than just fandom fanfare — it gave us a memory we’ll be laughing about and reliving for weeks.

So, here’s my mom-approved hot take: Comic cons aren’t just for teens or hardcore geeks anymore. They’re for anyone who’s ever loved a good story — and wants to live in it, even for a day. Plus, where else can you eat sushi, buy a sword, and dance to anime remixes with your kid all in one place?

Count us in for next year. And next time? We’re going full matching cosplay.

Written by Rochelle Vincent

Special Thanks to Mahalia Andrews (Mom) and Azaria Vincent (Daughter)