THE Marriott Hotel in Georgetown was transformed into a vibrant hub of cosplay, gaming, and anime enthusiasm on Saturday, as hundreds gathered for the third annual Merch Anime Rave Spectacle (MARS) 2024. This growing niche event has quickly become a beacon for pop culture fans across the country, drawing over 500 attendees of all ages from various regions of Guyana.

A colourful sea of cosplayers, gamers, and anime aficionados flooded into the hotel’s convention spaces. The air buzzed with excitement as attendees, many sporting elaborate costumes representing their favourite characters, eagerly explored the expanded offerings of this year’s convention.

Marissa Ramnauth of Sozo’s Enterprise, one of the event’s three curators, beamed as she surveyed the bustling crowd. “MARS for us is the days when people of the community can come together and mix with people of the same mindset. It’s a way to share the culture and activities that we all love,” she said.

The convention floor was a hive of activity, with dozens of vendors showcasing an array of merchandise, from handcrafted jewellery inspired by popular anime series to limited edition figurines and vibrant artwork. Ramnauth emphasised the importance of these booths, stating, “What is an event without your vendors? Apart from them, we have a lot of activities and prizes for people of all ages.”

Among the dozens of vendors was Nadine A Jalil – Rahat, Founder, Director, and CEO at Safe Space who had her booth ‘The Aesthetic’ at MARS 2024. She shared that events like those were a great opportunity for small businesses like hers. As she stated, “This is a business I started for my kids, my eight-month-old daughter and my three-year-old son. We believe that an aesthetic is more than your clothing, it is much more than that, it is a lifestyle.”

This year’s MARS convention boasted an expanded lineup of events, catering to a wide range of interests. Gaming competitions drew fierce but friendly rivalries, while anime-themed debates sparked passionate discussions among fans. New additions to the programme included a high-energy rap battle and an arm-wrestling competition, both of which drew enthusiastic crowds.

George Jacobs, another curator and the other half of Sozo’s Enterprise couldn’t contain his excitement about the new offerings. “This year we have a few more events that we did not have last year,” he said. “There are some more activities that I am personally excited about.”

The growth of MARS over its three-year history was evident not only in the increased attendance but also in the level of corporate support. Major sponsors like Bad Monkey Merch, Legacy Entertainment, Trident, and Massy lent their backing to the event, providing crucial resources and visibility.

Shomari Williams, another key member of the MARS team, reflected on the convention’s journey. “When we began three years ago, we wanted to create a community, a place where people could come and be themselves,” he said. “Before this, there was nothing like this in Guyana.”

The convention’s success was visible in the smiling faces of attendees as they participated in cosplay contests, attended panels featuring local artistes and voice actors, and bonded over their shared passions. The main stage hosted a variety of performances throughout the day, including live music acts that fused Guyanese rhythms with anime-inspired melodies.

Williams summed up the significance of the growing corporate support: “When you have a bright idea and you do not have the money, one word stands out above all, and that is support. That’s what our sponsors mean to us.”

With its blend of international pop culture and local flavour, MARS has not only created a space for fans to celebrate their passions but has also put Guyana on the map for anime and gaming enthusiasts across the Caribbean and beyond.