C.O.R.E Mumbai 2026: JJK to Kalki 2898 AD Pop-Culture Fest

Indian pop-culture fans are finally getting the mega-event they deserve. This summer, the country is officially entering a new era of fandom with the debut of C.O.R.E (Culture of Real Experiences). Scheduled to take place on June 20 and 21, 2026, at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex, this two-day event is set to be India's first-ever, official pop-culture festival. Moving far beyond digital screens, the gathering is projected to draw a staggering footfall of over 30,000 visitors, bringing anime, gaming, cinema, cosplay, and music together under one massive roof.

Conceptualized by Fanthology Studios and Black White Orange, C.O.R.E is ditching the traditional convention layout of standard retail booths. Instead, it promises a completely interactive space where fans can physically step into the cinematic and gaming worlds they love. The venue will be transformed into immersive, themed "streets" representing different storytelling universes.

This ambitious setup is backed by heavyweight official collaborations, including global and homegrown giants like Sony Music, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros, ISRO, the Indian Armed Forces, and Collective Studios Historyverse. Whether it's exploring augmented and virtual reality gaming zones, stepping into a Godzilla-inspired arena, or wandering through epic installations for Indian cinematic hits like Baahubali and Kalki 2898 AD, the festival is designed to feel alive and immersive.

Anime Viewing Zones, Live Cosplay, and Exclusive Merchandise

For the anime community, the festival is pulling out all the stops. Dedicated viewing zones and elaborate installations will feature globally loved titles such as Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, Haikyu!, My Hero Academia, Bleach, Chainsaw Man, Spy x Family, One Punch Man, Dandadan, and nostalgic favorites like Doraemon, as per EventFaqs. 

Beyond the sights, fans can dive into live cosplay championships, creator meet-and-greets, special effects makeup workshops, and live musical performances. Shoppers will also have their hands full with exclusive drops at the official merchandise marketplace, featuring popular brands like The Souled Store, Hamleys, Bonkers, The Entertainment Store, A47, and Cosa Nostra, alongside independent creators and fan communities.

The vision behind the event is deeply rooted in giving the community a proper, globally benchmarked ecosystem. Bhavik Vora, Co-Founder of C.O.R.E and Fanthology Studios, highlighted that while India boasts one of the most passionate fan bases in the world, it has historically lacked a truly official, large-scale destination to celebrate that energy.

A Vision for a Globally Benchmarked Fandom Ecosystem

“C.O.R.E was born from an idea that gives an IP-safe space for brand owners, for fans who deserve more than just retail booths; experiences that transport them into the worlds they love,” Vora explained. “We wanted to create something that feels cinematic, emotional, interactive, and culturally defining. From anime and gaming to music, cinema, creators, cosplay, and India’s own storytelling heritage, C.O.R.E is designed to become the country’s biggest celebration of fandom and real experiences.”

The launch of C.O.R.E arrives perfectly timed with unprecedented, explosive growth across India's entertainment sectors, filling a significant void in the experiential entertainment landscape. According to recent industry data, the Indian gaming market is valued at $5.02 billion USD in 2026 and is forecasted to nearly double to $9.89B by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 14.52%. 

Fandom for anime is experiencing a similar meteoric rise within the country. The anime market in India was valued at $1,855.4M in 2024 and is projected to skyrocket to $5,036M by 2032, expanding at a steady rate of 13.3%. As Indian youth increasingly embrace K-pop, gaming, anime, and creator culture, C.O.R.E stands as a necessary cultural milestone for a rapidly peaking industry.