Istanbul anime festival forced to close after group attack

The KonohaFest, a festival dedicated to anime and Japanese culture, was forced to end prematurely on Sunday, October 4, following an attack by a group in the Ümraniye district of Istanbul.

A group identified as the Ümraniye STK Platformu, a local associations platform, reportedly marched toward the venue at Limonlu Bahçe while chanting “Allahu akbar”. The group used stones and sticks during the confrontation, causing damage to flags, stalls, and event equipment. Participants, including families and children, were reportedly targets of physical attacks.

The attack followed a campaign by the group, which had circulated posters claiming the festival was contrary to family structures and national-spiritual values. While police and security personnel intervened to remove the group from the site, organizers decided to terminate the event early to ensure the safety of all attendees.