Gaming
Mumbai Comic Con 2025 blasts off with cosplay, games and girl power
MUMBAI: It wasn’t just another Saturday at Jio World Convention Centre. It was the Saturday—where pop culture pulsed through every aisle, comic panels came alive, and Mumbai felt like the center of the multiverse.
Day one of Mumbai Comic Con 2025 kicked off in spectacular fashion, with thousands of fans dressed head-to-toe in everything from anime classics to MCU icons. You could spot a Spider-Man grooving to DJ beats next to a perfectly hand-crafted Princess Mononoke—it was a wild, wonderful celebration of fandom.
But it wasn’t just about costumes. Indie Game Utsav, a buzzing zone that stole the show. With over 40 made-in-India PC and console games, this section became the heartbeat of the con. Imagine test-playing raw, brilliant game ideas while casually bumping into reps from Epic Games and Xbox. Yeah, it was that cool.
The comic zone was a nostalgia-packed haven. Lined with vintage treasures, indie releases, and new-age graphic novels, it was more than a shopping stop—it was a sacred space for storytellers. OG fans clutched their prized first editions while curious newcomers flipped through Indian-origin comics with wide-eyed wonder. Creators were on hand, signing covers, sharing origin stories, and soaking in the love. The energy was pure, geeky bliss.
The Comic Book Store co-founder Hamza Sayed, Superhero Toy Store founder Devesh Chhabria, Marvel super fan and cosplayer Medha Shrivastava, and influencer Arya Kothari engaged in a dynamic panel discussion on the future of superhero films and their influence on pop culture.
Moderated by influencer Arya Kothari, the conversation explored the growing fascination with anti-heroes and shifting audience preferences. A key highlight was the discussion around Marvel Studios’ upcoming release Thunderbolts, which focuses on reformed villains navigating complex moral choices.
And then came a twist of empowerment.
Hidden behind the colorful chaos was a stage glowing with quiet power—the IAGT (It’s A Girl Thing) Salon. Think sisterhood meets sass, with real stories, raw laughs, and radical confidence.
The vibe? Electric. The crowd? Madly in love. Cosplayers posed like pros, merch stalls were swamped, and panel discussions had fans leaning forward in excitement. You could feel the joy, the nostalgia, and the pure thrill of being around people who just get what it means to be a fan.
And guess what? This was just day one.
Whether you were hunting exclusive collectibles, demoing the next big Indian game, or finding a little feminist fire at IAGT—Comic Con Mumbai proved once again that fandom isn’t just for fun. It’s a feeling.
Gaming
S8ul wins India qualifier for Pokémon Unite Worlds 2026
Fourth qualification; to compete for $500,000 in San Francisco 28–30 Aug.
MUMBAI: If consistency were a power-up, S8ul would be permanently maxed out. S8ul has once again stamped its authority on India’s Pokémon Unite scene, clinching the India Qualifier for the World Championship Series 2026 and booking a spot at the global finals in San Francisco. The win marks a record fourth appearance for S8ul at the world championship, more than any other Indian team. Even more telling: across five Indian qualifiers held so far, the team has now won four, underlining a grip on the title that looks less like dominance and more like routine.
The road to qualification was clinical. Playing a double-elimination format, S8ul swept past Anti Secure, GodLike and Team QML with identical 2-0 victories in the upper bracket. The final hurdle, however, demanded nerve. In a best-of-five grand final, they edged out Revenant XSpark 3-2 in a tightly fought series.
Led by captain Manmohan Singh (All Might), alongside Anklesh Satelkar (Novaa), Darshan Nate (Kai), Naitik Jain (Wolf) and Md Sarim Hasan (Qing), the team combined composure with adaptability two traits that have become their trademark in high-pressure matches.
For their victory, S8ul secured $15,000 (approximately Rs 14.1 lakh) from the qualifier’s $25,000 prize pool (around Rs 23.5 lakh). The bigger prize, however, awaits, a shot at the $500,000 (roughly Rs 4.7 crore) global pool at the World Championships, scheduled from August 28 to 30.
The result adds to what has already been a packed trophy cabinet in 2026. S8ul’s BGMI roster lifted the BGIS 2026 title, its Valorant squad won VCSA Split 1, and its Apex Legends team delivered a top-five finish at the ALGS 2026 Championship, the best-ever by an Indian organisation. Even beyond esports, Grandmaster Nihal Sarin’s Menorca Open win adds to the collective momentum.
With selection as one of 40 global Club Partners by the Esports Foundation for the Esports World Cup 2026, S8ul is now eyeing qualification across 13 titles, ranging from Apex Legends and BGMI to Street Fighter 6 and Trackmania.
For now, though, all roads lead to San Francisco. And if past form is any indicator, S8UL won’t just be showing up, they’ll be showing up to win.
