ICHI-GO made history on February 1, 2026, as the first large-scale anime and pop culture festival in Odisha. Organised by Odisha Anime Club (OAC) and sponsored by Trio, this groundbreaking event attracted hundreds of attendees to the Grand Lumbini Convention, Chandrashekharpur, Bhubaneswar, from 10 AM to 5 PM.
The ICHI-GO Festival set a new benchmark for anime communities in Odisha that combined anime, gaming, cosplay, and original manga creation with ethical creative practices and community welfare initiatives. This landmark event brought together enthusiasts from across Odisha and beyond.
Key Highlights of ICHI-GO Festival
Star-Studded Guest Panels and Creator Engagement
ICHI-GO featured an impressive lineup of renowned personalities who actively engaged with the audience throughout the festival. The guest list included The Cosplay Monster, Adnan Shakeel, Shadow Shooter, Kalix Gaming, and Purnima Gaming, who headlined the main stage with interactive Q&A sessions, experience-sharing segments, and live demonstrations. Beyond the headline guests, multiple regional and national influencers participated in the festival, strengthening creator-fan engagement and providing valuable insights into content creation and gaming culture.
In Frame:
Adnan Shakeel (VA, guest)
Shaktipad Ray (VA, influencer)
The Cosplay Monster (Cosplay Judge, Guest),
Subham Harichandan (Founder OAC),
Pankaj Kumar Sahoo (Shadow Shooter, Creator)
Bibhu Prasad Sahoo (Kalix Gaming, Creator)
Rich Rakesh (Founder Utkala Putras)
Purnima Baral (Purnima Gaming, Creator)
UNGOD Chapter 2 Launch by Randeep Singh
One of the most significant highlights of ICHI-GO was the official launch of UNGOD: Chapter 2 by Indian manga artist Randeep Singh. This momentous occasion featured insights into his creative journey as an Indian manga creator, in-depth discussions on the challenges and opportunities in Indian manga creation, and captivating live artwork sessions performed on the main stage. The launch marked an important milestone for original Indian comics within the anime festival ecosystem, showcasing the growing talent in India’s manga industry.
Dynamic Performances and Entertainment
Audiences at ICHI-GO were treated to a diverse showcase of talent that kept the energy levels high throughout the day. The performance lineup included beatboxing acts that displayed impressive vocal percussion skills, stand-up comedy segments that had crowds laughing, live music performances featuring anime and pop-culture themes, and a standout international yoyo performance that added a global flair to the festival. These varied acts ensured there was something for everyone, creating memorable moments across different entertainment genres.
Cosplay Excellence and Competition
The cosplay segment of ICHI-GO stood out as one of the festival’s major attractions, featuring both solo ramp walks and innovative Random Duo performances. Cosplayers showcased their craftsmanship and performance skills in front of expert judges, including the event’s special guests. To ensure transparency and high engagement, live audience voting was conducted through real-time digital forms, allowing attendees to participate directly in determining winners. This hybrid judging system combined professional evaluation with community input, creating an inclusive and exciting competition atmosphere.
In-frame left to right: Angel, Ethane, Bisapratik Ispita, Priya, Jennie, Janvi, and Sadan are showing off their amazing cosplays at the ICHI-GO Event
Immersive Off-Stage Experiences
Gaming and Esports Arena
In collaboration with Kalinga Putras (Utkala Putras), ICHI-GO featured a professional esports setup that catered to competitive gamers and casual players alike. The gaming zone included a dedicated PS5 experience area where attendees could try the latest games, and a highly competitive Beyblade Tournament that attracted participants of all ages. The professional-grade setup demonstrated OAC’s commitment to providing top-tier gaming experiences alongside the anime and pop-culture festivities.
Art and Media Showcases
The artistic side of ICHI-GO was celebrated through multiple creative competitions and displays. Fans participated in an AMV (Anime Music Video) competition, showcasing their editing skills and musical sensibilities. Interactive art displays throughout the venue synced visual artworks with anime scenes and music, creating an immersive audiovisual experience that enhanced engagement and allowed attendees to appreciate the artistic dimensions of anime culture.
Community and Merchandise Zones
The festival featured curated merchandise stalls offering anime apparel, exclusive collectibles, and food options to keep attendees energised throughout the day. Engagement highlights included a life-size Ichigo Shikai sword installation that became a popular photo spot, and a collaborative sticky-note doodle wall where fans could contribute their artwork and messages. These interactive elements fostered community bonding and creative expression beyond structured activities.
Fan Engagement Activities
ICHI-GO maintained high participation levels through various fan-focused activities, including old-school anime quizzes that tested attendees’ knowledge, debate sessions on trending anime topics, and Heads Up-style games that brought laughter and friendly competition. Winners of these activities received prizes and certificates, adding an element of recognition to casual participation and encouraging active engagement throughout the festival.
Ethical Creativity and Original Content Initiative
A defining highlight of ICHI-GO was its unwavering commitment to original and ethical creative practices. All event-related materials, including printing, promotional creatives, flexes, posters, and digital assets, featured artwork exclusively created by Odisha Anime Club’s in-house artists. This principled approach ensured that no copyrighted or internet-sourced artworks were used, all artists received proper credits and visibility, and the initiative directly promoted emerging local talent.
This ethical framework reinforced OAC’s mission to uplift original artists while respecting intellectual property rights, setting a powerful example for future anime events in India. By creating employment opportunities for local artists and showcasing their skills on a major platform, ICHI-GO demonstrated that fan festivals can thrive while maintaining creative integrity.
Supporting Indian Manga Through Legal Platforms
With the support of Trio, the official event sponsors, the Odisha Anime Club actively encouraged and motivated attendees to read Indian manga and comics through legal and ethical platforms. The initiative promoted respect for creators’ rights while supporting original Indian storytelling, educating fans about the importance of consuming content through proper channels that compensate artists for their work.
Community Welfare: RUSH Open Shelter Donation Drive
Reflecting its community-first ethos, ICHI-GO hosted a RUSH Open Shelter donation drive, encouraging attendees to contribute clothing for social welfare. This initiative highlighted that anime and pop-culture communities can make meaningful contributions beyond entertainment, using the festival platform to support vulnerable members of society and promote social responsibility among fans.
Operational Excellence and Team Effort
The successful execution of ICHI-GO was powered by a dedicated team of volunteers and administrators who efficiently managed various aspects of the festival. The team managed tiered ticketing systems with Bankai, Shikai, and Asauchi passes, coordinated complex stage programming to ensure seamless transitions between performances, and oversaw technical operations, including sound, lighting, and digital voting systems. Their professionalism and dedication ensured that attendees enjoyed a seamless experience from entry to exit.
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