The inaugural Guwahati Comic Con concluded on Sunday after a high-energy two-day celebration of pop culture, attracting more than 15,000 fans from across Assam and the Northeast. Presented by Maruti Suzuki Arena and powered by Crunchyroll, the debut edition was held on November 22 and 23 at the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex, transforming the venue into a vibrant gathering for comic lovers, illustrators, anime and gaming enthusiasts, and families.
The second day continued the strong momentum with curated sessions and launches. A special showcase marking 45 years of Amar Chitra Katha celebrated the publication’s legacy, while World of Butterfingers Vol. 2 by Khyrunnisa A and Abhijeet Kini, and Where We Left Off—an indie comic centred on climate reality—made their official debuts. Fans also enjoyed an interactive Wingstar activity by Tinkle.
Archie Comics creator Bill Golliher engaged audiences with live sketches, behind-the-scenes stories and an artist interaction that drew large crowds.
The festival featured a dynamic mix of performances, from Once Fly Rock’s heartfelt tribute to Zubeen Garg to a laughter-filled segment by stand-up comic Anirban Dasgupta. Rapper EPR Iyer closed the entertainment lineup with a powerful set blending rap, poetry and social commentary, including a tribute to Chester Bennington that was met with overwhelming appreciation.
The event wrapped up with the Guwahati qualifier of the Indian Championship of Cosplay 2026, where cosplayers showcased exceptional craftsmanship across comic, anime and gaming genres. Characters like Red Hood, Deadpool, Zenitsu (Demon Slayer), Amane Misa (Death Note), Anya (Spy × Family), Aglaea (Honkai: Star Rail), and Capitano (Genshin Impact) came alive on stage. Arshy Deori, dressed as Nikke, took home the ₹50,000 prize pool, along with exclusive goodies and the qualifying spot.
Interactive zones remained a major draw throughout the weekend—ranging from the Maruti Suzuki Arena reflex challenge and Crunchyroll’s anime-themed setups, to the RedBull Gaming Ground, NODWIN Gaming Challenger Arena, Logitech’s Race for Real simulator and a nostalgic PSP zone. Gaming creator Sc0ut (Tanmay Singh) drew huge crowds during his meet-and-greet hosted by Royal Challenge Packaged Drinking Water, which also offered an immersive VR cricket activity. A tattoo booth further added to the festival’s eclectic charm.
Shefali Johnson, CEO of Comic Con India, said, “Being in Guwahati this weekend has been nothing short of incredible. The love and energy we felt from fans across Assam and the entire Northeast truly made this first edition special… Seeing music, art, storytelling and fandom come together with such warmth has been a joy, and we are grateful to everyone who helped bring this celebration of pop culture to life in Guwahati.”
Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and MD of NODWIN Gaming, said, “Bringing Comic Con to Guwahati has been a milestone we’ve looked forward to for many years. The passion from fans, the craftsmanship of the cosplayers, and the sheer curiosity of the younger as well as older audiences showed us that the Northeast has always been ready for a platform like this… Guwahati Comic Con is the beginning of a long-term commitment to a region rich with creativity and talent.”
With the success of its debut edition, all eyes now turn to Delhi Comic Con, scheduled from December 5 to 7, 2025.
