MARS 2026

The signature new feature for 2026. MARS is inviting cosplayers from across the Caribbean — Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad, Barbados, Jamaica, and beyond — for a weekend of collaborative panels, skill-sharing workshops, and competitive cosplay. This is the first formal Caribbean cosplay summit hosted in Guyana, positioning MARS as the regional hub.

The marquee event. MARS 2025 attracted 35+ contestants competing for a prize pool led by a 120,000 GYD first-place award and 60,000 GYD runner-up prize. The 2026 prize pool is expected to grow with the event. Judging considers craftsmanship, performance, presentation, and originality. Plus the famous MARS runway showcase — cosplayers walking the runway in front of the full audience.

MARS is known across the Caribbean as the only anime con with a proper after-party. When the main con floor closes for the night, the party moves to a dedicated space with DJs, drinks, and glowstick energy. It is 18+ and ID-required, reflecting MARS's adult-oriented audience. Saturday night's after-party is the highlight of the weekend for many attendees.

Open-play gaming stations with fighting games, RPGs, rhythm games, and casual titles. Competitive tournaments with bracket play throughout the weekend. MARS has a strong gaming community presence and the tournament area is typically a central gathering point throughout Friday and Saturday.

MARS 2025 hosted 40+ vendors, from established pop culture retailers like Bad Monkey to local independent artists. Expect original manga, custom prints, handmade accessories, cosplay props, anime merchandise, figurines, trading cards, and a growing presence from Guyanese anime-inspired small businesses. The artist alley is where the local scene's creative economy shines.

MARS's famous Anime Rap Battle competition returns — a signature Guyanese crowd-pleaser blending hip-hop culture with anime fandom. Plus industry panels, creator Q&As, voice acting demonstrations, art and animation workshops, and community discussion panels throughout the weekend. David Vincent's Q&A panel is expected to be one of the weekend's biggest draws.

Sozo's Enterprise (founded by George Jacobs and Marissa Jacobs) launched MARS in 2022 as Guyana's first anime and comic convention. Expected attendance was 200 people. Actual turnout was over 700 — more than triple the projection. The convention's success proved there was a significant, organised Guyanese anime community hiding in plain sight.

MARS 2023 went big. Attendance hit approximately 3,000 — establishing MARS as Guyana's undisputed largest anime convention. Sozo's Enterprise added more vendor booths, expanded the cosplay competition, and introduced the Anime Rap Battle as a signature event.

MARS moved into major hotel venues — first the Guyana Marriott, then Princess Ramada Providence for 2025. The 2025 edition drew another ~3,000 attendees, 40+ vendors, and 35+ cosplay contestants. Sozo's Enterprise also launched the Berbice Anime Expo in April 2025 as the first regional MARS offshoot, extending the community beyond Georgetown.

For the first time in its history, MARS expands to three days and introduces the Regional Cosplay Summit. International voice actor David Vincent joins as headliner, and the convention moves to the Royal International Hotel & Mall on Mandela Avenue. Every major element of the event — venue, format, guests, prize pool, regional reach — is bigger than any previous year.