Gurugram Comic Con wraps up debut edition; here are the biggest highlights

Gurugram Comic Con has wrapped up its inaugural edition at Gym Khana Club Ground marking the cityrsquos firstever Comic ConThe debut weekend reflected Gurugramrsquos growing community of comic readers anime enthusiasts gamers and pop culture fans who brought their energy to the Millennium Cityrsquos newest cultural gatheringFrom the moment gates opened on March 14 young professionals students creators and fandom communities moved across the venue exploring artist alleys graphic novel displays collectible stalls gaming arenas and live stage programmingIndians navigated between creator sessions live performances and immersive brand activations In a city known for its corporate parks global offices and bustling tech corridors like Cyber City and Udyog Vihar the weekend offered fans a chance to step away from boardrooms and coworking spaces and step into a world of comics cosplay and fandomThe creatorsrsquo stage remained one of the biggest attractions across the weekend Fans gathered for sessions with artists and storytellers including internationally acclaimed comic artist Raymund Bermudez alongside Indian creators and illustrators who shared insights into storytelling visual design and the growing global footprint of comic cultureAnother highlight of the programming included conversations around animation and storytelling with the team behind Mahavatar Narasimha offering audiences a closer look at the craft behind bringing mythology to animated life Creatorled sessions and live art showcases continued to draw enthusiastic participation reinforcing the strong creative culture within Indiarsquos comic and illustration communityMusic performances and comedy kept the stage buzzing throughout the weekend Comic Con Jukebox delivered energetic live sets featuring performers by prominent Indian rappers like Ikka Dharmik Madhusubdhan Sharma while Gini a young rising star in the Indian independent music scene also swayed the fans turning the arena into a lively celebration of fandom and music The Comic Con Comedy Showcase also played to packed audiences with comedians including Jaspreet Singh and Onkar Yadav entertaining fans with humour drawn from everyday life and pop culture referencesCosplay once again emerged as one of the defining highlights of the Gurugram edition Participants brought a wide spectrum of characters to life from anime gaming films and comic book universes including fan favourites such as SpiderMan Deadpool Batman Naruto Uzumaki Tanjiro Kamado from Demon Slayer Monkey D Luffy from One Piece Harley Quinn and Geralt of Rivia from the Witcher The Gurugram Comic Con Cosplay Contest drew large crowds across both days as more than 250 cosplayers competed for a daily cash prize of Rs 30000 showcasing detailed costumes and performances that captured the imagination of the audienceThe Indian Championship of Cosplay ndash Gurugram Qualifier concluded on Sunday where Vandana Sharma cosplaying as an Orc from Warcraft won the title along with Rs 50000 and a qualifying entry to the ICC Finals 2026 The competition saw over 250 cosplayers from across the region bring their favourite characters to life on stageThe NODWIN Gaming Arena remained one of the most active zones of the venue across the weekend with fans testing their skills through competitive challenges and interactive gameplay Experience zones by Maruti Suzuki Arena and Crunchyroll also attracted strong participation as anime fans gamers and firsttime visitors explored installations activities and exclusive fan experiencesShefali Johnson CEO Comic Con India said ldquoGurugram is a city full of energy During the week people are busy building companies working across global teams and moving between offices in Cyber City and along Golf Course Road This weekend we saw many of those same people come together as anime fans gamers comic readers and cosplayers Watching superheroes and anime characters walk through the Millennium City created some really special moments for all of us A large part of the Comic Con India team works out of Gurugram so bringing the festival here for the first time felt very personal The warmth and enthusiasm from the community has been wonderful to see and it gives us a lot of excitement about growing Gurugram Comic Con in the years aheadrdquo