The weekend of April 20 and 21 in Mumbai buzzed with excitement as Comic Con India wrapped up its season with a jam-packed event for pop culture aficionados. Following successful events in cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Chennai, the convention made its grand finale appearance in Mumbai.
Taking place at the Jio World Center, BKC, Mumbai, the event drew in crowds, including IGN India. True to form, the convention catered to geeks, nerds, and pop culture enthusiasts alike, filled with a plethora of booths, pop-ups, events, and performances by various personalities.
Demon Slayer Panel Steals the Show
One of the highlights of Comic Con Mumbai was undoubtedly the Demon Slayer panel, drawing in anime fans not just from Mumbai but from across India. Held on April 20, the panel featured Natsuki Hanae, the voice behind protagonist Tanjiro Kamado, alongside Aniplex producer Yuma Takahashi. Following the panel discussion, attendees were treated to a screening of the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training- film.
Anime and Manga Had the Centre Stage
Anime and manga fans found themselves in paradise at Comic Con Mumbai, with many activities catering to their interests. At the heart of it all was Crunchyroll’s expansive booth, hosting competitions and games where attendees could vie for anime-themed prizes. DJ Kazu’s anime mix set the mood with catchy J-pop beats, drawing crowds both at the booth and on the main stage.
Cosplay Everywhere
Cosplay was a big part of the culture at Comic Con Mumbai, with attendees embracing their favorite characters with gusto. From simple yet creative costumes to intricate and elaborate ensembles, enthusiasts of all levels showcased their passion for cosplay.
Figurines, Gunpla, and Gashapon Galore
Returning to Mumbai Comic Con, the Bandai Namco India booth drew attendees with collections of figurines spanning beloved franchises such as Dragon Ball, Jujutsu Kaisen, Naruto, One Piece, My Hero Academia, Blue Lock, Gundam, That Time I Got Reincarnated As a Slime, and more. Enthusiasts also had the opportunity to build their own Gundam Plastic models at the Gunpla workshop.
Comic Book Bonanza
True to its name, Comic Con Mumbai had multiple comic book stalls, featuring both Indian and international publishers. Attendees were treated to an exclusive copy of Spider-Man: India (No.1 Issue) comic book, while also getting the chance to explore upcoming publishing houses and Indian artists such as Indusverse, Holy Cow Entertainment, Acid Toad, Garbage Bin, Bullseye Press, Bakarmax, Art of SAVIO, and Abhijeet Kini, among others.
Tech and Gaming at The Arena
The Esports Club’s The Arena was a gamer’s paradise with its various gaming and tech showcases. From the PlayStation booth to the Sony Inzone area and Android Land, there was something for every level of enthusiast.
Live on Stage
It wasn’t all just about gaming and gadgets — there were plenty of live performances to keep the energy high. As mentioned above, fans of the smash-hit anime Demon Slayer got an earful (and a chance to geek out) with a session featuring voice-over artist Natsuki Hanae. Meanwhile, comedians Rohan Joshi and Sahil Shah returned with a round of their Binge-O-Clock podcast. Stand-up fans were treated to a set by Harsh Gujral, while rapper MC Altaf brought the beats.
