Chennai Comic Con wrapped up a packed weekend at the Chennai Trade Centre, drawing over 45,000 fans across two days to celebrate pop culture fandom. Presented by Maruti Suzuki Arena and powered by Crunchyroll, the event marked another milestone in the city’s emergence as one of India’s steadily growing pop-culture destinations.
Opening on Valentine’s Day, this edition witnessed an overwhelming turnout from the moment the gates opened. Fans moved between artist alleys, panel discussions, gaming zones and stage performances, with many staying back to attend multiple sessions across the venue. The engagement reflected a city that values both entertainment and the creative craft behind it.
A major highlight of the weekend was the presence of internationally acclaimed comic book writer Ron Marz, known for his work on Green Lantern, Silver Surfer, Witchblade and the DC vs. Marvel crossover series. His session, “Creators Across Borders: Ron Marz & India,” drew strong attendance as he spoke about storytelling across cultures and interacted with fans on the evolving landscape of comics.
The convention also featured Indian creators and publishers including Amar Chitra Katha and Raj Comics, alongside independent artists who connected with readers through signings and conversations. The panel stage remained active throughout the weekend, with sessions focused on comics, illustration and publishing drawing consistent participation.
Adding a vibrant pop-culture flair, the K-Wave segment featured three dance crews and two solo performers, delivering dynamic choreography and fan-favorite tracks that kept audiences engaged through the final sessions.
Shefali Johnson, CEO, Comic Con India said, “In Chennai, celebration has a certain grace. You see it during Margazhi concerts, during Pongal, or during a big film release, and this weekend felt similar. Families came together, friends planned their outfits days in advance, and fans applauded cosplayers and performers like they would at a stage performance. It did not feel like just an event, it felt like Chennai adding Comic Con to its own calendar. The way the city embraced us makes this edition truly special, and it gives us every reason to return each year with more stories, creators and experiences for the fandoms here.”
Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and MD, NODWIN Gaming, said, “Starting on Valentine’s Day in Chennai felt symbolic because this city is unapologetic about what it loves. You see it in the first-day-first-show queues, in packed stadiums, in the way fan groups plan and show up together. Over these two days, that same loyalty was visible across the venue. People came early, stayed till the last session, explored every zone and cheered wholeheartedly for cosplayers on stage. That sense of ownership is rare, and it tells us Chennai is not just a stop on our calendar, it is a city we want to keep growing with year after year.”
Cosplay remained one of the most celebrated aspects of the convention, with over 500 fans bringing characters from across universes to life. Detailed renditions included Firefly from Honkai: Star Rail, Moskov’s The Infernal Wyrmlord from Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and anime characters such as Maomao from The Apothecary Diaries. Fans also represented classic Indian comic characters including Chacha Chaudhary, Shikari Shambhu and Robot.
The Chennai Qualifier of the Indian Championship of Cosplay concluded on Sunday, with participants competing for a ₹50,000 cash prize. Daily winners received ₹30,000, drawing strong cheers from the crowd. Professional cosplayer Cosplola, dressed as Masquera Noir Sakizo, won the Chennai Qualifier and secured a place in the finals of the Indian Championship of Cosplay.
The NODWIN Gaming Arena drew strong crowds across both days, with attendees trying out gaming titles, watching live gameplay and participating in interactive experiences. Experience zones by Maruti Suzuki Arena, Crunchyroll and Full Dome saw steady footfall as fans moved between booths, challenges and showcases throughout the weekend.
Live performances kept the main stage buzzing, with music acts by Louis and Nicole, Célinedee Matahari, Geek Fruit and Kenzo Y2K drawing packed audiences. The energy continued with the Comic Con Variety Vault, where Kumar Varun delivered a high-energy set. Stand-up performances by Vivek Muralidharan, Azeem Banatwalla and Daniel Fernandes played to full houses filled with laughter and applause.
Chennai Comic Con once again brought together fans across age groups, creating a shared space for communities to connect over common interests and reinforcing the city’s place on India’s pop-culture calendar.
