Comic Con Bengaluru 2025, held on January 18 and 19 at the KTPO Convention Centre in Whitefield, brought over 50,000 fans under one roof to celebrate comics, anime, gaming, and all things pop culture. Sponsored by Maruti Suzuki Arena and Crunchyroll, the 12th edition proved to be an exciting destination for comics, anime, manga, gaming and superhero fans.
This year’s event featured well-loved comic book writers Ron Marz (Green Lantern, Silver Surfer) and Jamal Igle (Supergirl, Black), who engaged audiences through exclusive meet-and-greets and panels. The event also showcased an array of Indian creators, including Tadam Gyadu, Raj Comics by Sanjay Gupta, Induverse, Sufi Comics, and Amar Chitra Katha.
Cosplayers ruled the event with costumes inspired by a mix of global and local favourites. Fans turned out as Dr Strange, Darth Vader, Batman, Chainsaw Man, and even Indian icons like Suppandi and Chacha Chaudhary.
12-year-old Mia from Florida, who came as Spider-Man, shared her excitement, saying, “When you put on the suit, you feel like a hero. Everyone calls me Spidey here, and for a moment, I get to live in another world.” Anime fans were equally enthusiastic, with Aarav, a 20-year-old cosplaying as Satoru Gojo from Jujutsu Kaisen, adding, “Anime isn’t just a genre; it’s a way of life. You know your fandom is huge when even people who don’t follow anime come up and join you!”
Adding to the immersive experience were activity zones hosted by Maruti Suzuki Arena, Yamaha, OnePlus, and Warner Brothers. From VR setups featuring a Chandrayaan experience to themed attractions like the Superman Zone and Minecraft Movie booths, these areas blended technology and fandom seamlessly.
Attendees received a Comic Con bag featuring exclusive collectibles, including the first issue of Radiant Black by Kyle Higgins and a Solo Leveling poster, along with other surprises that delighted fans.
But Comic Con Bengaluru was more than just booths and collectibles; it was a festival of live entertainment. Bengaluru’s favorite comedians, including Rahul Subramanian, Azeem Banatwala, and The Internet Said So team, delivered fandom-inspired, pop culture-themed performances that struck a chord with the crowd. Geek Fruit’s jukebox thrilled audiences with theme songs from cartoons, superhero films, and anime, while DJ Kazu from Tokyo, brought down the house with electrifying beats. For creative souls, M.A.D.’s Art Guy Rob hosted hands-on sessions that encouraged fans of all ages to embrace their inner artist.
Following the event, Bengaluru Comic Con issued a press release featuring statements from Jatin Varma, founder of Comic Con India, who praised the event’s energy and creativity, calling it a testament to Bengaluru’s growing love for comics and pop culture. Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder of NODWIN Gaming, highlighted the blend of creativity and technology, noting how fans embraced everything from the Solo Leveling Dome, offering fans an immersive dive into the world of the popular manhwa (Korean comics), to gaming tournaments over the two action-packed days.
Fans are now gearing up for the next leg of the celebration as Comic Con India heads to Chennai on February 8 and 9, 2025.