With great fandom comes great cosplay: Hyderabad gears up for Comic Con 2026

For some, it is about stepping into the shoes of a favourite superhero, even if only for a day. For others, it is the excitement of watching grown adults transform into fictional characters with astonishing attention to detail. And for a few, preparing for Comic Con has become an annual family ritual, involving months of planning, costume trials and even fitness routines.

As Hyderabad Comic Con prepares to return for a three-day celebration from December 11 to 13 at Bharat Future City, the city’s community of cosplayers, anime enthusiasts, gamers and comic book lovers has begun looking forward to another gathering of familiar characters and shared passions.

For 24-year-old Sathwik Reddy from Musheerabad, the fascination with cosplay began during the COVID-19 lockdown, when he developed an interest in dressing up as fictional characters. Since the pandemic, he has been a regular at Comic Con events, drawn as much by the creativity of fellow enthusiasts as by the experience of participating. “It is surreal to see people, grown adults, so passionately cosplay and nail it!” he said, describing the enthusiasm that keeps bringing him back.

A fascination which demands diet control and fitness

For 32-year-old Anusha Rao, Comic Con has become something of a household tradition, thanks to her husband’s enduring fascination with Spider-Man. Every year, the couple begin preparing months in advance as he plans to try out a new version of the superhero’s costume. “He is a huge Spider-Man fan and we start prepping months ahead. This also makes him maintain a good diet and stay fit, so I am happy to support this,” she chuckled.

Enthusiasm for storytelling and fictional worlds

Beyond the costumes, the convention has become a space where enthusiasts can celebrate interests that often extend well beyond childhood. From anime and manga to comic books and video games, the event brings together fans who share an enthusiasm for storytelling and fictional worlds.

Three days of fandom and gaming

Organised by NODWIN Gaming, Hyderabad Comic Con will feature cosplay, gaming tournaments, comic book creators, international guests, live music performances, stand-up comedy and interactive experience zones.

A notable addition this year will be the Hyderabad chapter of Indie Game Utsav, which will provide independent game developers an opportunity to showcase their creations to gamers and international publishers.

Comic Con to be part of Invest Telangana Global Summit

This year’s edition will also mark the first time Hyderabad Comic Con will be part of the Invest Telangana Global Summit, while continuing its association with India Joy for the third consecutive year.

Shefali Johnson, CEO of Comic Con India, said Hyderabad’s enthusiasm for storytelling made it one of the convention’s most exciting destinations. “Hyderabad is one of our most exciting Comic Con cities, with a community that brings incredible energy and enthusiasm to the show floor,” she said.

Shares visual storytelling with Telangana’s Cheriyal scroll paintings

Drawing parallels between comic books and Telangana’s traditional Cheriyal scroll paintings, she said the two forms shared a common language of visual storytelling, using images and characters to bring narratives to life.

Akshat Rathee, co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming, said Hyderabad’s storytelling culture, ranging from Telugu cinema to traditional art forms such as Oggu Katha and Burrakatha, provided a natural connection to contemporary pop culture.

Fans discuss accessibility

While the return of Comic Con has generated interest among fans, the shift from HITEX to Bharat Future City has also prompted discussions about accessibility. On Reddit, some Hyderabad residents have questioned the distance to the new venue, with one enthusiast expressing disappointment that the longer journey could make attending difficult. Others have begun discussing tickets and plans for the December event. The event will open at 11 a.m. on all three days, with tickets available on the Comic Con India website.