Tokyo Comic Con Apologizes After Johnny Depp’s Chaotic Photo and Autograph Sessions

Japanese pop culture news edited by Patrick Macias

• Fans who paid for premium tickets faced hours long delays, shifting schedules, and long lines on both days

• Johnny Depp’s main stage appearance, originally planned for early afternoon, was pushed back by hours and lasted only seven minutes

• Organizers are now reviewing event procedures and policies after widespread complaints and have begun processing refunds

Hours of Delays, Late Arrivals, and Missed Meet and Greets

Tokyo Comic Con 2025 was thrown into chaos when Johnny Depp’s highly anticipated photo and autograph sessions ran far off schedule on both December 6 and 7. Fans who paid 75,000 yen (about USD $480) for tickets expected smooth, premium access. Instead, they encountered delays of up to five hours, lines that barely moved, and sudden schedule changes that pushed events deep into the night.

Depp arrived late on both days, forcing organizers to shuffle and condense the timetable. His main stage appearance was delayed from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., then cut down to just seven minutes. Even though he reportedly stayed after program hours and kept meeting fans “until just before the date changed,” many attendees still never made it to the front of the line before the venue had to begin teardown.

Overflow Continues Into Final Day Despite Rescheduling

Guests who could not be seen on December 6 were moved to December 7, creating even more congestion. Long, unmoving queues formed for both photo and signing sessions, with some fans waiting for hours only to be turned away when time ran out. Reactions online and on site painted a picture of confusion, frustration, and disappointment from fans who had paid top tier prices for a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Organizers Issue Apology and Begin Refund Process

After the uproar, the Tokyo Comic Con organizing committee updated its official website with an apology. “We deeply apologize for the delays and schedule changes that occurred during the operation of Johnny Depp’s autograph and photo sessions, which caused great inconvenience and discomfort to everyone who had been looking forward to the event.”

Organizers confirmed that ticket cancellations and refunds have begun, directing attendees to their respective ticket sellers for details. They also noted that they have received a large volume of feedback through surveys, calls, and email, saying they “take these opinions very seriously.”

Event Management Under Review After Widespread Complaints

According to the committee, they are now working with related parties to review what went wrong and how to prevent similar scenes in the future. “We are currently coordinating with the relevant parties to review the situation and discuss future measures with great care,” the statement said, adding they will work to improve operational procedures going forward.

The controversy leaves Tokyo Comic Con 2025 with plenty to rethink as it looks toward next year’s event.