Kochi Comic Con makes grand debut in Kerala, draws over 20,000 footfall across landmark weekend

Kochi Comic Con, presented by Maruti Suzuki Arena and powered by Crunchyroll, wrapped up its inaugural edition at AICC Angamaly, Ernakulam, drawing an impressive footfall of above 20,000 over two days and marking the first ever Comic Con to be hosted in Kerala.

The landmark weekend reflected the state’s deep-rooted reading culture, growing anime communities and vibrant new age fandoms.

From the moment gates opened on February 28, the response carried the weight of anticipation. For years, fans from Kerala travelled to attend Comic Con editions in other cities. This weekend, the celebration arrived on home ground. Families, students, creators and long-time fandom groups filled the venue, moving between artist alleys, panel discussions, gaming arenas and live stage performances with visible excitement.

A major highlight of the weekend was the presence of internationally acclaimed comic book creator Dan Parent, whose sessions drew packed audiences. Conversations around storytelling, character creation and global comic traditions resonated strongly with an audience that grew up reading Malayalam comics and now actively engages with international pop culture.

The creators’ corner remained one of the busiest areas of the show floor. Amar Chitra Katha, Balarama Comics and Alpha Book Publishers were among the prominent names connecting with readers, while independent creators such as Abhijeet Kini interacted closely with fans through signings and discussions.

Shefali Johnson, CEO, Comic Con India, said, “Kerala has always had a strong artistic culture. You see it in Kathakali and Theyyam, in Koodiyattam performances, and in the mural traditions across the state. There is attention to detail and pride in presentation that runs deep here. That was visible at Kochi Comic Con as well. Cosplayers approached their craft seriously, audiences engaged thoughtfully during panels, and the overall warmth in our very first year made this debut incredibly special for us.’”

Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and MD, NODWIN Gaming, said, “People in Kerala really show up for what they believe in. You see it during Thrissur Pooram, you see it in theatres on a first day first show, and you see it in the pride around local stories and characters. That same energy carried into Kochi Comic Con. In our very first year here, the response was strong and wholehearted. Fans cheered for local favourites MHR and Joker, Sreenath Bhasi, stayed through sessions, and explored every zone with real enthusiasm. It gives us a lot of confidence about building this platform in Kochi year after year.”

Cosplay emerged as one of the defining highlights of the Kochi edition. Participants brought a wide spectrum of characters to life, ranging from international favorites such as Denji from Chainsaw Man, Luffy from One Piece, Tanjiro from Demon Slayer, Dr. Strange and Moon Knight from Marvel, Izuku Midorya and Bakugo Katsuki from My Hero Academia, to proudly regional icons including Mayavi, Luttappi and Minnal Murali. The presence of these beloved Kerala characters on stage created moments of collective nostalgia and loud applause from the crowd. The Kochi Qualifier of the Indian Championship of Cosplay concluded on Sunday, with Indrakshi Haldar, cosplaying as Neverend, True destiny king from Duel Masters, winning the title and ₹50,000 cash prize.

The NODWIN Gaming Arena maintained steady footfall across both days, with attendees experiencing live gameplay, competitive challenges and interactive showcases including VR Experiences for Chandrayan and Best Saber, Racing sims’ corner by logitech, Just Dance booth and more. Experience zones by Maruti Suzuki Arena and Crunchyroll remained active throughout the weekend, attracting anime enthusiasts, gaming fans and curious first-time attendees alike. The experience was further elevated by the addition of the Suzume Door at the Crunchyroll booth, while Crunchyroll Power Pass holders also received exclusive goodies.

The main stage carried the pulse of the weekend. MHR & JOKER delivered one of the most energetic musical sets of the event, turning the arena into a full singalong as fans gathered in large numbers. Sreenath Bhasi & Crew drew a strong local response, with the crowd responding enthusiastically to every track. Comedy sets by Gautham Govindan, Nirmal Pillai, Pilot Gomma and Rohan Joshi played to packed audiences, while Geek Fruit and Purple Line added their distinctive pop-culture flavour to the entertainment lineup.

Across two days, Kochi Comic Con brought together long-time comic readers, anime fans, gamers, cosplayers and families under one roof. The inaugural edition demonstrated that Kerala’s fandom culture is both rooted in nostalgia and confidently global in outlook. As the curtains closed on this first chapter, Kochi established itself firmly on India’s pop-culture calendar, setting the stage for even larger celebrations in the years ahead.