The inaugural edition of Jaipur Comic Con, presented by Maruti Suzuki Arena and powered by Crunchyroll, concluded successfully at the Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre (JECC), registering a footfall of over 20,000 across three days. The debut edition marked a significant milestone for pop culture and fandom communities in Rajasthan, bringing together comics, anime, gaming, cosplay, and immersive fan experiences under one roof.
Organised under the aegis of the Government of Rajasthan’s AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) Policy and hosted alongside the state’s flagship digital initiative DigiFest, Jaipur Comic Con 2026 highlighted the city’s growing role in India’s creative and youth-driven entertainment ecosystem. The event showcased how Jaipur is emerging as a convergence point for culture, technology, and fandom.
Sharing his excitement, Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director, NODWIN Gaming, said, “Jaipur surprised us in the best possible way. It’s a city with deep cultural roots, and seeing that heritage blend so seamlessly with comics, cosplay, gaming, and fandom was truly special. Today, building strong IPs means engaging communities across both physical experiences and digital platforms, and events like Comic Con show why culture-led spaces are becoming increasingly valuable. The proactive support from the Government of Rajasthan through initiatives such as the AVGC Policy and Rajasthan DigiFest has been instrumental in enabling this scale of execution, laying a strong foundation for Jaipur to emerge as a key destination for India’s creative, gaming, and digital entertainment economy.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Shefali Johnson, CEO, Comic Con India, added, “Jaipur is home for me, so bringing Comic Con to this city was deeply personal. Growing up here, pop culture spaces like this were something we could only imagine, and seeing thousands of fans now celebrating comics, anime, and cosplay in Jaipur feels incredibly full circle. What made this inaugural edition special was how strongly the local community showed up, from young fans and families to Rajasthan’s own creators. The support from the Government of Rajasthan through the AVGC Policy helped turn that vision into reality and showed how seriously the state is investing in its creative future.”
The convention featured a strong mix of international and Indian creators, bridging global pop culture with homegrown talent. International highlights included Bernard Chang, known for his work on Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme and as the co-creator of DC’s Monkey Prince, and Yannick Paquette, an Eisner-nominated artist whose credits include X-Men, Batman, and Wonder Woman: Earth One. Alongside them, a curated lineup of renowned Indian comic writers and illustrators participated in panels, discussions, and signings.
Adding a regional dimension, local creators and artists from Rajasthan showcased their work through the Rising AVGCXR & Media Association (RAMA Rajasthan), gaining exposure to new audiences while interacting directly with fans.
Cosplay emerged as one of the biggest crowd-pullers at Jaipur Comic Con, with contests held across all three days and the Indian Championship of Cosplay (ICC) serving as a major highlight. Cosplayers brought characters from graphic novels, films, anime, gaming, and sci-fi to life, competing across multiple categories. Daily grand prizes of ₹30,000 were awarded along with curated goodie bags. The excitement peaked on Sunday with the Jaipur Qualifier of the Indian Championship of Cosplay, where Vipin Aryan, cosplaying as Grey Knight Terminator, won ₹50,000 and secured a spot at the national finals.
Gaming enthusiasts also found ample engagement at the event. The Royal Challenge Packaged Drinking Water booth hosted leading Indian gaming YouTuber Sc0ut (Tanmay Singh) for a fan meet-and-greet at the Challenger Gaming Zone, which featured an immersive VR cricket experience. Bollywood actor, model, and social media influencer Kuldeep Singhania was also present, exploring the experience zones and interacting with fans.
Live entertainment remained a key attraction, with on-stage performances by stand-up comedians Inder Sahani, Appurv Gupta, and Jaspreet Singh, musical acts by Celinedee Matahari, Naam Sujal, K!llSwitch, and KY Collective, and illusion performances by Karan Singh.
Beyond fandom celebrations, the convention placed emphasis on learning and creative exchange. Creator sessions offered insights into storytelling and the business of comics, while experiential zones by brands such as Maruti Suzuki Arena, Crunchyroll, and NODWIN Gaming delivered interactive activities ranging from VR experiences and Just Dance booths to portrait art, picture tarot readings, and merchandise showcases.
Following the successful debut of Jaipur Comic Con, the excitement now moves south with Chennai Comic Con scheduled for February 14–15, 2026, at the Chennai Trade Centre, Nandambakkam.
