FNDM Dubai 2025: MEFCC’s Fan-First Pop Culture Festival Lands In UAE With Anime, Cosplay & More!

 Comic cons, gaming expos, celebrity signings, you name it and Dubai has probably hosted it. But now, there’s something fresh brewing on the horizon. From the crew that gave us MEFCC comes FNDM Dubai 2025, a two-day fan-first festival promising to bring the energy of a comic con but with its own twist. Dates? 4–5 October 2025. Location? The Concourse Convention Centre at Dubai Outlet Mall. And let’s be real, that’s a lot closer (and cheaper) than flying to San Diego.

FNDM Dubai 2025: A Pop Culture Playground Fans Have Been Waiting For

 

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Makoto Tamura Takes Centre Stage

Here’s the headline grabber: Makoto Tamura, yes, the Japanese voice of King from One Piece and the man behind Marvel’s Japanese Black Panther dub, is stepping onto an overseas stage for the very first time. Not just Dubai’s first, not even the GCC’s first. Literally his first appearance outside Japan. Ever.

Fans will be able to meet him, snag autographs, and sit in on an exclusive panel. Truth be told, opportunities like this don’t come around often. For anime fans, this is bucket-list stuff.

Comics, Creators And Chaos

Of course, FNDM isn’t putting all its weight on one guest. The line-up includes Dexter Soy, the artist behind Captain Marvel and Batman and the Outsiders, will be there. So will Paolo Pantalena, known for Teen Titans and Red Hood/Arsenal. Add Jane Pica, a UAE-based illustrator whose work ranges from Lilo & Stitch to The Girls Survive, and you’ve got a seriously stacked creative crew.

To be fair, it’s not just about collecting signatures and queuing up for panels. The Artist Alley is where the action lives, raw sketches, indie talent, and a chance to grab art before it blows up. And if you’d rather watch than shop, the Fandom Stage will host live performances, cosplay competitions, and probably a few chaotic surprises.

Built for Fans, Not Just for Show

Let’s face it, some conventions feel like retail fairs with a few cosplayers sprinkled in. FNDM is pitching itself differently. Expect gaming face-offs, exclusive merch drops, and pro-cosplayers roaming the halls. Over 80 exhibitors will fill the space, so don’t expect to “see it all” in one afternoon. And honestly, isn’t that the point? To wander, discover, and get swept up in the chaos.

Also Read: Abu Dhabi To Host Middle East Film & Comic Con Until 2027

Now for the bit everyone secretly checks first: tickets. They start at AED 65 for a single day. If you want the full weekend experience, it’s AED 115. Not bad for two packed days of anime icons, comic legends, and a community vibe you can’t replicate online.

The full schedule drops soon, but one thing’s clear already: FNDM Dubai 2025 isn’t trying to replace MEFCC, it’s doubling down on fan culture and giving Dubai another date to circle in the geek calendar. Come October, expect the city to be buzzing with capes, controllers, and more anime wigs than the metro has ever seen.

Cover Image Courtesy: Supplied