Orlando Bloom at the Osaka Comic Con. Image from Armin P. Adina
OSAKA, Japan — Hollywood actor Orlando Bloom’s name has been prominent in the promotions of Osaka Comic Con 2023, yet he was missing when the convention opened on May 5. He was finally able to join his fellow A-list celebrities at the grand finale held on May 7 at the spacious Hall 5 of the sprawling Intex Osaka complex here.
The organizers have earlier announced that the English actor, famous for his portrayal of the elf Legolas in the widely successful “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, will only be participating in the second and third days of the three-day convention, the first comic con held in Osaka.
“I wanna say I’ve been coming to Japan for 20 years. It is my favorite culture, I love everyone and the food,” Bloom told a massive gathering of comic book and movie fans, who paid back his graciousness with a hearty applause. The actor also took part in the 2019 Tokyo Comic Con.
Also veterans of the Tokyo Comic Con are other franchise actors, Michael Rooker of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, and “Fantastic Beasts” star Mads Mikkelsen, who both participated in the 2017 convention.
“This is the craziest, the most wild comic con I’ve ever been at. It’s been fantastic. Arigatou (thank you),” Mikkelsen told the fans. Rooker said he enjoyed Osaka Comic Con “so very much,” and profusely thanked the fans who all gathered to see them.
Mads Mikkelsen at the Osaka Comic Con. Image from Armin P. Adina
English actor Tom Sturridge, who plays Dream in “The Sandman,” delivered his message to the fans in Japanese, reading off the palm of his hand, while “Star Wars’” Bobba Fett Daniel Logan spoke in straight Japanese to the delight of the audience.
The Japanese fans got even more excited when Finnish actor Joonas Suotamo, who took over the role of Chewbacca in the “Star Wars” franchise, “sang” the movie theme in character as a Wookiee. He also said, “thank you so much for having us. It’s been such a wonderful experience. It’s my first time in Japan. Nihon Saiko! (Japan is the best).”
British actress Millie Bobbie Brown, whose notable portrayal of Eleven in “Stranger Things” earned her Emmy nominations, skipped the convention’s finale program. She appeared in the opening ceremony on the first day and stayed until the second day. The organizers earlier clarified that the “Enola Holmes” star will only be in the first two days of the convention.
Osaka Comic Con 2023 is organized by the same team that mounts the annual Tokyo Comic Con. The organizers also announced during the recent event that the 2023 convention in the Japanese capital will on Dec. 8, 9, and 10. EDV