Autumn MondoCon 2026 in Budapest: Ghibli Music, Anime and Cosplay
If you are visiting Budapest on 17–18 October 2026, Autumn MondoCon is a chance to spend a weekend immersed in anime, manga, cosplay and gaming. Held at Hungexpo, the convention brings together live music, Japanese creators, a new anime film and a community that knows how to turn favourite characters into spectacular costumes. The celebrations begin a day early, with a separately ticketed Studio Ghibli concert on Friday.
Begin the Weekend with Ghibli Music
On Friday, 16 October, singer Azumi Inoue and her daughter Yuyu will perform Studio Ghibli songs with orchestral accompaniment. The concert starts at 5:30 pm and features music associated with films including My Neighbor Totoro and Castle in the Sky. For anyone who grew up with these stories, hearing the songs live promises to be a memorable start to the weekend.
Azumi’s appearance also marks a remarkable return to performing. After suffering a stroke in 2023, she returned to the stage in 2024 alongside Yuyu. Their musical partnership now brings two generations together through the songs that made Azumi’s voice familiar to Ghibli fans.
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Missed out on the Friday concert? Azumi and Yuyu will return to the MondoCon Main Stage at noon on Saturday for a conversation and a short performance, including “My Neighbor Totoro”. The Friday concert is the one programme that requires a separate concert ticket; the Saturday appearance is part of the convention.
Hear Who-ya Live on Saturday
Saturday evening belongs to Who-ya, whose voice anime fans may know from “VIVID VICE”, an opening song for Jujutsu Kaisen, and “Q-vism” from Psycho-Pass 3. The vocalist of Who-ya Extended will perform on the MondoCon Main Stage on 17 October at 7 pm, bringing a rock and pop-rock sound to the convention’s headline concert. An autograph session is planned, too.
There is no need to buy a separate concert ticket for this performance: admission is included with a regular MondoCon ticket. If your Budapest sightseeing plans leave room for only one convention evening, Saturday offers plenty of reasons to stay late.
Discover a New Anime Film
Film fans should keep Sunday, 18 October, free for an exclusive screening of To You in the Beyond. Adapted from a novel by Akiko Abe, the story follows Kazuki, a teenager who moves to a remote island and finds an unconscious girl on the shore. She says her name is Aika—and that she has come from 1974. As the two grow closer, the island’s secrets begin to emerge.
The screening runs from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm on the Main Stage, shortly after the film’s planned Japanese cinema debut on 9 October. You can also meet two of its creators during the weekend. Character designer and chief animation director Hechima and lead producer Motoki Mukaichi will discuss the film on Saturday from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. On Sunday, immediately after the screening, Hechima will draw live and answer questions at the Nissin Presentation Stage from 1:30 to 3 pm. Screening language and subtitle details have not been specified in the information provided, so it is worth checking these before you go.
Explore Cosplay, Karaoke and Gaming
Even between the scheduled shows, there will be plenty to see. Autumn MondoCon welcomes three international cosplay guests: Stylouz from Switzerland, Maike Huster from Germany and Belgium-based Captain Ghostly. Their work spans armour, props, special-effects makeup, 3D printing and inventive crafting techniques. Whether you make costumes yourself or simply admire the finished results, their appearances offer a closer look at the creativity behind cosplay.
On Sunday, a Japanese-language karaoke competition brings anime-inspired singing into the spotlight. A beginner round is planned for 11:30 am in the Karaoke Room, followed by an advanced round at 3:30 pm on the Main Stage, although the format may change depending on the number of competitors. Registration has closed, but visitors can watch the performances or visit the regular karaoke room. Gaming fans can also catch the offline final of a League of Legends tournament on the MondoCon Esports Stage on Saturday.
Plan Your Visit to Hungexpo
Autumn MondoCon takes place at Hungexpo, 1101 Budapest, Albertirsai Street, on Saturday, 17 October, and Sunday, 18 October. Visitors should use Gate 1 for entry. The organisers plan to run a free convention shuttle from Örs vezér Square during the event. You can also take metro line M2 to Puskás Ferenc Stadion or Pillangó Street and continue on foot.
Tickets are available online and at the convention. If you want to attend both the Friday Ghibli concert and MondoCon on Saturday and Sunday, the organisers have announced another 100 combined tickets at HUF 16,000. Based on the stated HUF 11,000 full-price convention ticket and HUF 10,680 starting price for a separate concert ticket, the combined option saves HUF 5,680. As this is a limited release, check availability before making plans.
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