Anime Picnic, the pop culture outdoor festival organised by the Anime Nerds of Jamaica (ANJ), is scheduled to return on Saturday, June 27, at the Confucius Institute at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona. Beginning at 11:30 a.m., the event will feature anime and cosplay competitions, gaming experiences and esports tournaments, as well as cultural activities inspired by Chinese traditions.

Under the theme, ‘Jade Dynasty: The Lotus Festival’, this year's staging will celebrate the influence of Chinese culture on many of the forms of entertainment enjoyed by anime fans today.

“Many fans may not realise how much Chinese culture has influenced the entertainment they enjoy — from anime, video games and comics to the growing popularity of manhua and Chinese dramas around the world. We also wanted to celebrate the local Chinese community, which has long been an important part of Jamaica’s diverse cultural landscape,” said Tianna Powell, president of ANJ, speaking on the significance of this year’s theme.