Kolkata witnessed a vibrant celebration of pop culture as the second edition of Kolkata Comic Con, presented by Maruti Suzuki Arena and powered by Crunchyroll, took over the Biswa Bangla Exhibition Centre across the weekend. The event welcomed over 30,000 fans across two action-packed days, reflecting how seamlessly global pop culture blends with the city’s deep-rooted love for art, literature, and storytelling.
Day 2 continued the momentum with an interactive storytelling session led by artists Charbak Dipta, Tadam Gyadu, Savio Mascarenhas, and Gaurav Basu, where audience prompts shaped live narratives in real time. The main stage remained lively with Kvizzing with KV, a fandom quiz hosted by stand-up comedian Kumar Varun, followed by a powerful live performance from EPR that combined rap, poetry, and storytelling.
Across the show floor, fans engaged with artists, cosplayers, and creators from India and abroad. Brazilian comic artist Rogê Antônio attracted long queues as he interacted with fans and shared insights from his creative journey. The artist alley and creator booths offered aspiring storytellers opportunities for inspiration and mentorship.
Shefali Johnson, CEO, Comic Con India, said, “Kolkata didn’t just host Comic Con, it embraced it with heart, creativity, and incredible passion. This is a city that can celebrate everything from Satyajit Ray’s beloved detective Feluda and also is home to one of the most dedicated anime fandoms. What truly stood out was how deeply fans here celebrate storytelling in every form, from literature and theatre to anime and comics. Seeing this community come together with such energy makes Kolkata a truly special destination for Comic Con.”
Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and MD, NODWIN Gaming, said, “Comic Con in Kolkata feels less like an event and more like an ongoing conversation. This is a city where storytelling is part of everyday life, and you can see that in how people engage with pop culture. The response from fans, creators, and gamers has been incredible, and it’s great to see the community grow stronger every year. In a city known for its sweet tooth, we’ve definitely walked away with some of our sweetest pop culture memories here.”
Cosplay remained a major highlight, with participants transforming into characters such as Fatalis Beta Armour, Noelle Silva, Captain Jack Sparrow, Shara, Shara Ishvalda armor set from Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, and Senjumaru Shutara from Bleach. Arindam Paul, who cosplayed as Fatalis Beta Armor, won the Kolkata Qualifier for the Indian Championship of Cosplay 2026, earning prizes worth up to ₹50,000 and a place on the national stage.
The World Cosplay Summit (WCS) India Qualifiers were also held during the event, where Karan Prakash and Karan Desai won with their portrayal of Chaos Crusaders and will represent India at the finals in Nagoya, Japan.
The convention floor offered immersive gaming and entertainment experiences. The NODWIN Gaming Zone featured virtual and simulator gaming, while the Maruti Suzuki Arena Fan Experience Zone hosted interactive challenges. Fans also explored themed anime experiences inspired by SPY x Family and Suzume, movie zones celebrating Supergirl, Mortal Kombat II, and The Mummy by Lee Cronin, a fulldome visual experience, racing simulators by Logitech, and a lively Just Dance booth.
Held just ahead of Poila Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, the event aligned seamlessly with Kolkata’s festive spirit, much like the city’s iconic Book Fair and Durga Puja, celebrating creativity across generations.
Following Kolkata, the Comic Con India tour will conclude on May 9–10, 2026, at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.
