One Piece, KPop Demon Hunters and Marvel stars join John Cena at Abu Dhabi's Middle East Film and Comic Con

John Cena, a well-known figure in professional wrestling and entertainment, will be attending the Middle East Film and Comic Con (MEFCC) in Abu Dhabi from September 11 to 13. Joining him at the convention are fans of One Piece, K-pop Demon Hunters, and Star Wars. Mackenyu and Jacob Romero, who play Roronoa Zoro and Usopp in the live-action adaptation of One Piece, along with Marvel actress Pom Klementieff, voice actor Arden Cho, and Star Wars actor Joonas Suotamo, will be part of the celebrity lineup.

MEFCC, which was originally scheduled for April but had its dates moved due to regional conflict, has seen a significant increase in attendance, with over 46,000 visitors in 2025, marking a 24% rise since 2022. The convention has expanded beyond its traditional comic convention model, introducing various sections like Artist Alley, Otaku District, TCG Arena, Bookworm Lounge, and Collector's Gallery.

These additions have been largely influenced by visitor feedback, highlighting the importance of the community that gathers to celebrate shared passions. Ayman Akaily, content manager of MEFCC, notes that while established Hollywood franchises remain central to the event, the diversity in fan interests has grown, with fans enjoying a wide range of genres.

Anime, K-pop, and gaming have seen substantial growth, with the convention dedicating areas for anime, K-pop, and gaming, including a TCG Arena for organized competitions. The convention also places emphasis on supporting independent creators through its Artist Alley, which has helped many artists establish their careers. Additionally, the Short Film Competition has expanded, receiving 83 submissions in 2025, and featuring nine finalists.