#CulturePH - Toycon 2025 Is Everything — And Here’s Why You Need to Be There This Weekend
Okay, real talk.
I’ve been to a lot of events. Press cons, media launches, art fairs, film festivals — you name it, I’ve probably been there with a camera and a half-formed caption in my head. But every single year, without fail, there’s one event that makes me feel like a kid again. One event that reminds me why I fell in love with pop culture in the first place.
That event is Toycon.
And this year? This year is different.
22 Years. Still the Biggest Room in the Room.
Toycon PH is turning 22 in 2025, and honestly, it wears its age like a collector’s grail piece — with pride, with history, and with a kind of value that only deepens over time.
This year’s edition is dubbed Toycon POP LIFE Celebration 2025, and the theme couldn’t be more fitting: Celebration. Because that’s exactly what it is. A celebration of fandom. Of creativity. Of the Filipino community that shows up, year after year, in cosplay or casual wear, with empty bags they fully intend to fill.
Running June 13 to 15 at the SMX Convention Center Manila in the Mall of Asia Complex, this isn’t just a convention floor — it’s practically a small city dedicated to everything we love.
400+ Exhibitors. Let That Sink In.
I want you to actually picture this: over 400 exhibitors and vendors taking over the entire first floor of SMX Manila, plus Function Room 1 on the second floor. We’re talking about big international names like Lego, Bandai, Tamashii Nations, Banpresto, and Bandai Namco sharing space with exciting new entrants like Collectormates, ThrillJoy, Minix, CaDa, and Rastar.
And for the first time ever, the NBA brand joins the Toycon floor — bringing licensed merch and apparel to the mix. Yes, Toycon is literally expanding what it means to be a collector.
For those of us who get that specific kind of heart palpitation when we see a limited-edition figure behind glass? There are exclusive drops from Quiccs and ThrillJoy, and wait for it — a Voltes V Event Exclusive collectible. As a Filipino who grew up with Voltes V as part of our cultural DNA, that one hits different.
Art Toy Alley + TCG Alley = My Entire Personality
Two areas I’m particularly excited about this year:
Art Toy Alley features over 100 local Filipino artists showcasing original designs, handmade pieces, and independent art toys. This is the part of Toycon that genuinely moves me — because there’s so much talent in this country that deserves your attention and your peso. Show up, discover your new favorite artist, and buy something you’ll treasure.
Then there’s the brand-new TCG Alley — a dedicated space for trading card game enthusiasts, with over 60 vendors and official tournaments powered by Mana Underground. Whether you’re a seasoned duelist or a curious newcomer, this is your moment.
TOYCONCert Is Back, and the Lineup Slaps
You think it’s just toys and figures? Nope. Toycon has always had one of the most genuinely fun live music lineups of any convention in the country, and 2025 is no exception.
TOYCONCert returns with performances from Starmarie, Miura Ayame with Miko, Pastel Mix, Beverly, Dela, Saya, Wanmini, Ziga, and Shane Shen. A full mix of J-pop energy and local talent, spread across three days. This is the kind of lineup that turns a shopping trip into a full-on memory.
Cosplay, Guests, and the One Piece Reunion That Made Me Emotional
Cosplay has always been the heartbeat of Toycon, and this year CosKon returns with a dedicated cosplay area and a stellar guest list. Local cosplay royalty like Een, Liabear, Kitz Cua, and Pompomny share the stage with international guests including Tiny Asa (Vietnam), Chanel Yui (Singapore), and Eri and Riela (Indonesia).
But the guest announcement that actually gave me chills? The exclusive reunion of the full Tagalog voice cast of the Straw Hat Pirates from One Piece — featuring Candice Arellano, Vincent Gutierrez, Ray Miranda, Je Utanes, Nica Rojo, Maynard Llames, and Anthony Steven San Juan. If you grew up watching the Filipino dub, you already know what this means. This is the kind of moment that doesn’t happen twice.
And for the Super Sentai fans: Ryota Ozawa (Gokai Red) and Yui Koike (Gokai Pink) from Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger are also making an appearance. Iconic.
Competitions, Retro Gaming, and That Certain Chaos Energy
The Toycon contests are back in full force: Action Figure Customization, Custom Mecha Figure Design, Doll Dress-Up, Art Toy Design, TOY CLICK Toy Photography, and COSCLICK Cosplay Photography. Big prizes, serious talent, and the kind of creative energy you can feel in the air.
And because Toycon knows its crowd, Republic of Gamers is bringing a retro gaming tournament featuring Starcraft, Counter-Strike 1.3, and DoTA 1. One classic game per day. Pure, unadulterated nostalgia for anyone who spent their teenage years in computer shops.
Why You Should Go (Even If You Think It’s Not “For You”)
Here’s the thing I want you to hear, especially if you’ve never been to Toycon before:
This event is not just for toy collectors. It’s not just for hardcore cosplayers or anime superfans. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt that rush of finding something beautiful, rare, or meaningful. It’s for the creative who wants to be around other creatives. It’s for the person who needs a weekend that feels like play — the kind of play we forget we’re allowed to have as adults.
Toycon is three days of permission to geek out, spend your money on things that actually spark joy, watch your eyes light up at a figure you’ve been hunting for years, and be in a room full of people who completely get it.
I’ve been doing this lifestyle content thing for over a decade, and I will tell you honestly: the energy at Toycon is one of a kind. It’s Filipino fandom at its most alive.
The Details You Need
📅 June 13–15, 2025
📍 SMX Convention Center Manila, Mall of Asia Complex, Seashell Lane, Pasay City
🕙 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily
🎟️ Tickets:
• Kids Pass: ₱200
• 1-Day Pass: ₱500
• 3-Day Pass: ₱1,300
Available via SM Tickets Online and at the door.
For updates, follow @toyconph on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, or visit toyconph.com.
So, are you going? Because I’ll be there with my tote bag, my wallet on a prayer, and my camera ready. Hope to see you there!
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