THE calendar flips to April 15, and across Japan, a celebration erupts, echoing around the globe. It’s the birthday of Osamu Tezuka, the titan of manga and animation, affectionately known as the “Godfather of Anime,” whose legacy has ignited a worldwide devotion to the art form, marked by “Anime Day.” But Bulawayo, ever keen to carve its own cultural niche, isn’t content to simply follow the global rhythm. Instead, the city is poised to unleash its very own inaugural “Anime Day,” at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) in Bulawayo.

Anime, a distinct style of Japanese animation, has captivated audiences worldwide, gaining immense popularity. The event, spearheaded by Bulawayo’s own Lizzie Cherish Waldman, a female animator, digital artist, and webcomic creator known as CherHyuga, will see anime enthusiasts gather to celebrate their shared passion. They will indulge in screenings of their favourite anime series and engage in cosplay, embodying their beloved characters.

In an insightful interview, CherHyuga explained why Bulawayo’s first anime festival diverges from the global observance.
“Anime Day Bulawayo was initially intended to align with the international Anime Day on April 15. However, given the proximity of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, March proved a more suitable window. We retained the 15th for its symbolic link to the official date and it’s falling on a Saturday, allowing greater accessibility for attendees, including students.

“Crucially, this decision grants Bulawayo its own distinct day to celebrate anime, rather than rigidly adhering to the global calendar. It also harmonises with Bulawayo’s event schedule, ensuring anime fans have their dedicated space without conflicting with major events like the ZITF.”

According to CherHyuga, “Anime enjoys a robust and expanding fan base in Bulawayo. It’s commonplace to see individuals sporting anime merchandise, and casual inquiries reveal a widespread affinity for the genre. Yet, there remains a gap in understanding anime’s true essence. Many unfamiliar with it still perceive it as mere “cartoons”, overlooking the depth of storytelling, artistry, and cultural impact it embodies.

“Even on our social media platforms, some comment, ‘You’re celebrating cartoons? That’s childish.’ This misconception stems from a lack of exposure, as anime isn’t as mainstream in Zimbabwe as in other regions. That’s why Anime Day exists — to demonstrate that anime transcends mere entertainment. It’s a culture, an art form, and a wellspring of inspiration.”
She promised attendees an immersive experience.

“Fans can anticipate stepping into an anime-inspired realm, complete with life-sized standees, themed props, and a stage setting that brings their favourite series to life. Cosplay opportunities will abound, enabling fans to dress as their cherished anime characters.

“The event will feature diverse stalls offering anime merchandise, fashion, food, and more. We’re also thrilled to announce the inaugural Zimbabwean appearance of international organisations like ‘We The Free’ at Anime Day. The day will be packed with activities such as anime scene recreation challenges, giveaways, and much more. Anime Day is about bringing convention-style anime energy to Bulawayo, the festival we’ve all been eagerly awaiting!”

As the world commemorates Women’s History Month, CherHyuga’s role as a female animator and curator of this event is particularly noteworthy.

“It’s never been my primary motivation to inspire other women or to transform a male-dominated space. I pursue this because of my passion, my love for it, and my aspiration to bring events like Anime Day to Bulawayo. It just so happens that in following my passion, I’m also creating space for other women in a predominantly male industry. Seeing how my passion has encouraged others, especially women, to embrace anime and creativity makes it even more meaningful.

“Interestingly, when we established the Anime Day WhatsApp group, many assumed the event would be male-dominated. Some even questioned whether women would attend, and they were surprised to learn that the organiser, myself, is a female anime fan who draws manga-style comics, animates, reads manga and manhwa, cosplays, and is hosting an anime event. This reaction underscores how rare it is to see women leading in these spaces, but I’m delighted to be breaking that barrier.

“Anime Day is also about introducing students to digital art and animation, providing young creators, particularly girls, with opportunities to explore these fields while they have ample time. Once they leave school, the time for practice diminishes, and the window to become industry-ready narrows significantly. If I were to relate this passion to Women’s History Month, it would serve as a reminder that progress is being made, and I hope to inspire other women to embrace their love for anime, create freely, and claim their space in this industry.”

CherHyuga’s creative journey has evolved into multiple ventures, including Cherhyuganime, a brand dedicated to anime-inspired art and fashion, and “Anime Anime Anime,” a platform fostering an anime enthusiast community in Bulawayo. Her ambition extends further; she plans to open an anime merchandise boutique in Zimbabwe, fulfilling a long-standing demand for authentic anime goods.

“I’ve been an anime fan for as long as I can recall. As a child watching anime on television, I’d rush outside after an episode of Dragon Ball Z to re-enact the Kamehameha, I thought it was the coolest thing ever. But anime wasn’t just something I watched; it inspired me to start creating. I was particularly influenced by Naruto, with my drawings still reflecting elements inspired by it and its characters.

“The artistry in anime and manga ignited my desire to tell my own stories. It introduced me to digital art and animation early enough to fully explore them, something that might not have happened otherwise. My greatest inspiration has always been how anime made me feel, how it took me on an emotional journey through its art and storytelling, and how the animation was visually stunning while staying true to its unique style and characters. I want to share that same inspiration with others, whether through Anime Day or my own creative work.”

She said that her work revolves around bringing anime culture to life through creative projects, be they illustrations, comics, animations, or events. To CherHyuga, Anime Day Bulawayo is more than just an event; it’s a cultural shift, “a step towards making anime culture more recognised and appreciated locally, while also introducing digital art and animation to new audiences.

Ultimately, my goal is to grow these initiatives into something lasting, proving that anime can be more than just entertainment. It can be a career path, a source of inspiration, and a thriving part of our creative industry.”

For a long time, animation has been treated as a foreign art form, but recently, in the precinct, animation has been a burgeoning cultural movement pushed by the likes of Kadelwa Ndlovu, Wayne “Left Hand Animation” Ndebele, as well as Zenzele Ndebele.