ToyCon PH 2025, the Philippines’ premier pop culture convention, celebrated its 22nd year with its most expansive and vibrant edition to date. Held from June 13 to 15 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, the event centered around the theme “Celebration,” in partnership with MINDstyle’s POP LIFE Festival. This year’s ToyCon drew a massive crowd, bringing together over 400 exhibitors and vendors who showcased a diverse array of toys, collectibles, and hobby merchandise. The convention floor was a lively hub for fans and collectors, featuring both established international brands like Lego, Bandai, Tamashii Nations, and Banpresto, alongside exciting new entrants such as Collectormates and ThrillJoy, as well as Minix, CaDa, and Rastar.
Limited-edition collectibles once again took center stage, with exclusive releases from Quiccs, Thrilljoy, and a special Voltes V Event Exclusive, captivating enthusiasts eager to add rare pieces to their collections. For the first time, the NBA brand made its debut at ToyCon, attracting sports memorabilia collectors and expanding the event’s diverse offerings. The convention also featured the return of TOYCONCert, a musical showcase that included performances by international and local acts like Starmarie, Miura Ayme with Miko, Pastel Mix, Saya, Ziga, and Beverly, providing a festive soundtrack to the festivities.
The cosplay community thrived with the introduction of CosKon and a dedicated cosplay area, where top cosplayers from the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, and Indonesia gathered to showcase their talents. Special guest appearances included Ryota Ozawa and Yui Koike from Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger, alongside voice acting icons such as Rica Matsumoto of Pokémon and Yuriko Yamaguchi, known for roles in One Piece and Evangelion. One Piece fans were treated to a highlight event—a reunion of the full Tagalog voice cast of the Straw Hat Pirates, which included a panel discussion and meet-and-greet sessions.
Art Toy Alley showcased the talents of over 100 local artists, while various contests, including figure customization, toy photography, and cosplay photography, returned with substantial prizes, fostering a creative and competitive spirit among attendees. A new addition was the TCG Alley, which hosted over 60 vendors for trading card games and tournaments in collaboration with Mana Underground, further enriching the convention’s diverse offerings. Gaming enthusiasts also enjoyed tournaments featuring classic PC games like Starcraft, Counterstrike, and DoTA 1, hosted by Republic of Gamers, bringing the nostalgia of the gaming scene to the event.
Throughout the three days, visitors revelled in the rich tapestry of pop culture, nostalgia, and creativity, making ToyCon PH 2025 a truly momentous celebration of fandom and artistry. The event concluded on June 15, leaving fans eager for what future years will bring and reaffirming its place as the Philippines’ premier gathering for toy lovers, cosplayers, and pop culture enthusiasts alike.
