Pune, March 23, 2026: The much-awaited Pune Comic Con 2026, kicked off with great enthusiasm at Mayfield Estate Garden on Saturday. Held over the weekend on March 21 and 22, the event witnessed a massive turnout on its opening day, as fans gathered to celebrate comics, anime, gaming, and pop culture. The event was presented by Maruti Suzuki Arena and powered by Crunchyroll.
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On Day 1, attendees actively engaged in the special “Creators Across Borders” segment, interacting with global comic creator Josh Blaylock. Indian creators’ sessions and interactive discussions organised by the Pune Anime Community also saw strong participation.
Cosplay emerged as a major highlight, with fans dressing up as popular characters such as Denji from Chainsaw Man, Shadow Igris from Solo Leveling, Zoro from One Piece, and Loki from Marvel. Participants competed in Pune’s biggest cosplay contest, offering daily cash prizes of Rs 30,000.
The opening day featured a vibrant lineup of performances. Stand-up comedian Siddharth Shetty entertained audiences with his sharp observational humour, while Kumar Varun’s “Quizzing with KV” blended trivia, wit, and audience interaction into an engaging session.
Shefali Johnson, CEO of Comic Con India, said, “Pune has a unique energy—from conversations in Koregaon Park cafés to students near FC Road and the city’s vibrant arts community. This spirit was evident on Day 1 as fans engaged deeply, showcased thoughtful cosplay, and celebrated what they love. We’re excited to see even more on Day 2.”
The Pune edition also featured immersive experience zones. The Maruti Suzuki Arena zone drew crowds with gaming activities, while the Crunchyroll booth attracted anime fans with curated setups. Visitors explored a sci-fi multimedia experience through a VR dome, tackled a Warner Bros-designed escape room, and engaged with interactive installations from Super Mario Galaxy and Nykaa. The gaming arena remained packed throughout the day.
Day 2 highlights included a special “Creators Jam” featuring Josh Blaylock, Savio Mascarenhas, Abhijeet Kini, Saumin Patel, Vibha Rao, and Alana Vinayak, who shared insights into the craft of comic creation.
Gaming enthusiasts also attended a meet-and-greet with popular Indian YouTuber Scout (Tanmay Singh), hosted by Royal Challenge Packaged Drinking Water, along with experiencing VR cricket at the Challenger Gaming Zone.
The entertainment lineup continued with stand-up comedian Fatima Ayesha, who impressed audiences with her sharp wit, and a live performance by Mumbai-based hip-hop artist 99Side, a finalist from MTV Hustle 4.0.