Cosplay Takes Kolkata Book Fair by Storm, Bridging Cultures and Pop Culture

🖊️Manish Paul

The International Kolkata Book Fair is not just a celebration of printed literature and new ideas. Among the many forces driving this cultural evolution is cosplay, a popular culture phenomenon that has found its way to the fair's vibrant atmosphere.

In the 48th edition of the book fair, House of Bengali Otakus organized a unique cosplay march, infusing a fresh wave of energy and enthusiasm into the event. Cosplay, which involves fans dressing up as characters from anime, video games, comics, and superhero movies like Marvel and Spider-Man, is now a massive part of global pop culture. Though cosplay is not yet a mainstream phenomenon in Kolkata, House of Bengali Otakus is leading the charge to bring this exciting culture to the city, and the Kolkata Book Fair is where it all began.

In 2022, Japan was the focal theme country at the Kolkata Book Fair, and that year marked the initiation of cosplay-related activities in the city. According to House of Bengali Otakus member Shubankar Chakraborty, “For us, this book fair represents nostalgia. Our journey began here, and it holds a special place in our hearts. We are here to celebrate and promote cultural diversity, and cosplay is our way of introducing people to a new form of entertainment. The upcoming Comicon Kolkata, organized by the Calcutta Comedy Company, has also sparked more interest. For those unfamiliar with cosplay and Comic Con, this book fair serves as the perfect platform to promote Comicon and cosplay as well.”

Cosplay has been gaining traction in Kolkata and its neighboring regions, with House of Bengali Otakus l participating in various events—from gaming conventions to college and university festivals. Their vibrant cosplay performances are turning heads, engaging audiences, and introducing new forms of entertainment to a growing fan base.

The International Kolkata Book Fair is much more than just a literary event—it's a cultural melting pot, a space where the past meets the present, and new ideas find fertile ground. With initiatives like the cosplay march, the fair is living up to its role as a hub for cultural exchange, expanding its scope beyond traditional literature to embrace the excitement of pop culture.