Words by Florenda Corpuz
Photos by Din Eugenio
CHIBA – Johnny Depp drew one of the loudest receptions of Tokyo Comic Con 2025 as he took the stage at Makuhari Messe on Dec. 7, immediately slipping into the voice and mannerisms of Captain Jack Sparrow, a character that made him a favorite among Japanese fans.
“Hello, yes, yes, yes, hello again,” he said in the familiar slurred charm and swagger of his most iconic “Pirates of the Caribbean” character, prompting long applause and cheers from the packed venue. “Very nice to see you. Thank you so much for this wonderful welcome, my goodness.”
Appearing amused, the 62-year-old actor joked that the overwhelming energy was almost too much.
“Okay, now I’m scared. I’ll pass out,” he said.
Fans waved, screamed, and cheered as Depp paused to acknowledge the crowd. He thanked supporters for what he described as years of steady encouragement.
“Thank you, everyone. Thank you for having me. Thank you for everything. The warm welcomes, the kindness, the generosity, the support, which has been there strong for a long time,” he said. “I thank you all deeply, deeply, deeply.”
Depp’s remarks shifted between humor and sincerity, occasionally reflecting on the surreal nature of mass adoration.
Johnny Depp receives a custom pirate-themed curtain as an early Christmas gift at Tokyo Comic Con 2025 on Dec. 7, following a Japanese tradition of giving stage actors such tokens.
After posing for photos, Depp took another look at the cheering audience.
“I feel as though there are more of you than there actually are,” he said. “That could just be part of my brain, or maybe I’m lying in a hospital bed, ill, and none of this is happening. I don’t know.”
He closed with another message of gratitude.
“While it’s happening, while I’m experiencing all of your faces out here, thank you. Thank you for your support, your love, your respect. Always.”
Tokyo Comic Con concluded its three-day event successfully, with fans hoping for another appearance from the actor who remains closely associated with one of cinema’s most enduring pirate characters.
