Chennai Comic Con 2026: Nostalgic comics and homegrown narratives came together

A riot of capes, corsets, and carefully crafted armour took centrestage as Chennai Comic Con wrapped up at the Chennai Trade Centre, with cosplay emerging as the undisputed showstopper. From anime icons and gaming legends to beloved Indian comic characters, over 500 fans transformed the venue into a living, breathing multiverse, showcasing how Chennai’s fandom culture has evolved, placing the city on India’s pop culture map. 

A cosplayer dressed as Guts, from the manga series Berserk 
| Photo Credit:
Johan Sathyadas

“It’s my first Comic Con, and the atmosphere is pretty welcoming,” says Om Tiwari, dressed as Stein from Soul Eater, adjusting the handmade scythe that he built over six hours using cardboard and even monster cans. “Earlier, you didn’t always find people you could openly talk to about anime. But here, everyone just gets it — the vibe, the characters. My aim for next year is to be back as a better cosplayer,” he adds.

Across the floor, that shared enthusiasm played out in striking detail. Firefly from Honkai: Star Rail struck poses for photos next to Moskov’s Infernal Wyrmlord avatar from Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. We even spotted Maomao from The Apothecary Diaries meeting up with Inuyasha, while beloved Indian characters like Chacha Chaudhary and Shikari Shambhu brought a local vibe to the atmosphere. 

Vignesh dressed as a Second World War paratrooper
| Photo Credit:
Johan Sathyadas

In the crowd of anime characters, we spotted 31-year-old IT professional Vignesh dressed as a Second World War paratrooper that took him 10 months to create. “I started right after the last Comic Con. The jacket is completely hand-stitched. The rifle–an M1, the standard-issue weapon for an average infantryman during WWII is fully hand-printed, which I assembled and painted by hand. The helmet is made of foam, and even the patches are hand-embroidered.” For him, the effort is inseparable from the platform. “I wouldn’t be doing it if not for Comic Con. It gives a lot of volume to what we create.”

Savio Mascarenhas
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Indian creators

The event brought together comic book artists from across industries, creating a vibrant space for fans to connect and celebrate their love for comics. Along with global comic companies, the event also spotlighted Indian comic artists who have spent years crafting original and culturally rich narratives.

Savio Mascarenhas, group art director, Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle Studios, was present at the event and expressed his delight at the overwhelming crowd. From co-creating Suppandi and illustrating characters such as Shikhari Shambhu, he delved into the world of how these Indian comics have played a strong role in shaping childhood since the 1980s. “Our primary audience consists of readers who grew up with these comics, many of whom are now in their forties. They share a deep emotional connection with the books and often recreate that nostalgia by introducing them to their own children,” says Savio.

Vivek Goel, founder, Holy Cow Entertainment and an Indian comic book artist, showed up displaying several of his comic books. As the founder of an independent comic book publishing house, he spoke about the growing comic book community in India. Citing this evolution, he explained how blending Indian mythology with comic book storytelling helps forge a stronger connection, especially with Indian readers. In Ravanayan, which retells the story from Raavan’s perspective, he presents a humanised portrayal of the character than is typically seen in other literary interpretations. 

“My books have a deep cultural and religious impact. From childhood, we grew up listening to stories from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, and their characters leave a lasting impression on us. Portraying them as more than mere figures from mythology has allowed me to merge visual storytelling with a rich cultural framework,” says Vivek. 

With passionate cosplayers, nostalgic readers, and Indian creators sharing the same space, Comic Con 2026 showcased how fandom in the city is becoming more confident, collaborative and creatively ambitious.