Highlights
- Comic Con India will debut in Guwahati, its first-ever event in the Northeast.
- The festival provides a dedicated home stage for the region's passionate fandom.
- This expansion strategically targets youth culture beyond India's major metro cities.
Comic Con India is set to make its debut in Guwahati on November 22nd and 23rd, marking the festival’s first-ever edition in the Northeast. This move brings one of the country’s most prominent pop culture events to a new audience, aiming to tap into the region’s vibrant and passionate fandom for comics, cosplay, anime and gaming.
The decision to launch in Guwahati reflects a broader strategy to connect with India’s evolving youth culture beyond the metros. Organizers are positioning the new edition not just as an event for the city but as a hub for fans across the entire Northeast, a region they say has long shown incredible creative potential and passion.
A Stage for a Passionate Community
For years, fans from the northeast have been a standout presence at Comic Cons in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, often travelling long distances to showcase their intricate cosplay and creative talents. The Guwahati edition is being framed as a “homecoming” of sorts, providing a dedicated platform for this community.
“For the first time, they don’t need to travel to be seen,” said Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and MD of NODWIN Gaming, the company behind Comic Con India. "Comic Con comes to Guwahati, giving this passionate community a stage at home where their art, effort, and love for the culture can shine brighter than ever."
Rathee also emphasized the deep-rooted creativity in the region, drawing parallels between traditional arts like Bihu dances and Mekhela Sador weaving and the modern passion for pop culture. "My hope is that a young cosplayer stitching their costume late into the night... can walk into Guwahati Comic Con and feel: ‘this is my place, my people, my future.’"
Why Guwahati?
The choice of Guwahati is strategic. According to the New Horizons ranking by digital travel platform Agoda, the city has recently emerged as India’s fastest-growing destination for international travelers. This rising profile makes it an ideal location to merge global fandoms with local energy.
“Our expansion into Guwahati is not just about adding another city; it’s about celebrating every fandom and building authentic experiences,” commented Shefali Johnson, CEO of Comic Con India. She highlighted that the blend of gaming, cosplay, music and comics is designed to resonate deeply with the “energetic youth culture of the Northeast.”
Since Comic Con India’s debut in India in 2011, the event has featured content from major franchises like Marvel and DC alongside India's independent comic creators and cosplay community. The event typically includes artist showcases, gaming competitions, and cosplay competitions, and more..
The festival provides a venue for local artists and storytellers to display their work and connect with audiences. Attendees can browse artist booths, participate in gaming tournaments, and attend panels or previews.
The addition of Guwahati to the 2025-26 schedule represents the festival's expansion into new regions of India, bringing the event to areas that previously had limited access to such gatherings.
