Indonesia Comic Con 2026 Review: Two Days of Pop Culture, Cosplay, and Mackenyu at JIEXPO Jakarta
Indonesia Comic Con 2026 turned Jakarta into a massive celebration of anime, cosplay, comics, gaming, movies, collectibles, and global pop culture. Held on October 3–4, 2026, at JIEXPO Kemayoran, Jakarta, the 10th edition of Indonesia Comic Con brought together fans, creators, exhibitors, comic artists, cosplayers, gamers, and international guests for two packed days of entertainment.
This year’s event was particularly special because it marked a decade of Indonesia Comic Con. Under the theme “A Decade of Pop Culture Fiesta,” the convention focused on three major ideas: Celebration, Connection, and Future. The result was an event that felt bigger not only in terms of its guests and attractions, but also in its role as a meeting point for Indonesia’s growing pop culture community.
Among the biggest highlights were Japanese actor Mackenyu, known internationally for playing Roronoa Zoro in Netflix’s ONE PIECE, and international cosplayer HaneAme, who appeared throughout the two-day convention.
Day One: Cosplay, Creators, and Pop Culture Energy
The first day of Indonesia Comic Con 2026 immediately delivered the atmosphere fans have come to expect from a major pop culture convention. The halls at JIEXPO Kemayoran were filled with cosplayers, collectors, artists, gamers, photographers, and fans wearing costumes inspired by their favorite anime, games, comics, and movies.
For cosplay fans, one of the biggest attractions was HaneAme. The international cosplayer was officially scheduled to appear on both October 3 and October 4, giving visitors multiple opportunities to see her, attend activities, and experience the cosplay-focused side of ICC 2026.
HaneAme’s presence also represented how international cosplay has become an increasingly important part of Indonesian conventions. Her popularity among anime and cosplay fans helped create one of the most photographed areas of the event, with fans and photographers looking for opportunities to capture cosplay portraits and convention moments.
The cosplay program itself was much broader than celebrity appearances. Indonesia Comic Con featured cosplay activities, competitions, community programs, and international connections. Among the major competitions were the RAYA Championship of Cosplay and the Indonesia Cosplay Grand Prix, the latter serving as a national selection route connected to the World Cosplay Summit in Nagoya, Japan.
For visitors interested in the creative side of the hobby, the event also provided opportunities to meet comic artists and creators from Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. This made ICC more than simply a place to buy merchandise—it became a platform where artists and fans could interact directly.
HaneAme: A Major Highlight for Cosplay Fans
HaneAme was one of the most anticipated international cosplay guests at ICC 2026.
Her appearance helped strengthen the convention’s appeal to dedicated cosplay fans, particularly those interested in professional cosplay photography, costume design, character interpretation, and international cosplay culture.
Throughout the event, the cosplay area became one of the busiest places for photography and fan interaction. For photographers, Indonesia Comic Con offered a unique environment where elaborate costumes, professional cosplayers, fan-made outfits, and convention backgrounds came together.
HaneAme’s presence also demonstrated the increasingly international nature of Indonesia’s cosplay scene. Indonesian conventions are no longer focused exclusively on local talent. International cosplayers have become an important part of the experience, giving local fans opportunities to meet creators they normally follow online.
Day Two: Mackenyu Takes the Main Stage
If Day One belonged heavily to cosplay and creators, Day Two brought another level of excitement when Mackenyu arrived at Indonesia Comic Con.
Mackenyu appeared as the event’s main guest on Sunday, October 4. His appearance was one of the biggest attractions of the entire convention, with fans gathering to see the Japanese actor on the main stage.
For many international fans, Mackenyu is best known for his portrayal of Roronoa Zoro in the live-action ONE PIECE series. His appearance at ICC therefore connected Indonesian anime fans with one of the most recognizable actors from a major anime adaptation.
The main-stage talk show gave fans an opportunity to hear Mackenyu talk about his experiences and interests. He also discussed his first visit to Indonesia and his impressions of Indonesian fans.
One particularly memorable aspect of his appearance was his reaction to the warm welcome he received. Mackenyu said that the friendliness and respect shown by Indonesian fans reminded him of Japan, his home country.
That personal connection helped make his appearance feel more meaningful than a standard celebrity appearance. Rather than simply appearing on stage, Mackenyu became part of the cultural exchange between Japanese entertainment and Indonesia’s passionate pop culture community.
Mackenyu and the ONE PIECE Connection
Mackenyu’s role as Roronoa Zoro made his appearance especially exciting for anime fans.
The popularity of Netflix’s ONE PIECE live-action adaptation has introduced the franchise to a much broader international audience, while longtime manga and anime fans have followed the project closely.
At ICC 2026, fans had the opportunity to see the actor behind one of the series’ most recognizable characters in person. The convention also offered paid autograph and photo-op sessions, allowing fans to create a more personal memory of Mackenyu’s visit. Official ICC information listed dedicated autograph and selfie sessions on October 4.
For collectors, photographers, and dedicated ONE PIECE fans, these sessions were arguably among the most exclusive experiences of the weekend.
More Than Celebrity Guests
Although Mackenyu and HaneAme were major attractions, Indonesia Comic Con 2026 succeeded because the event was much larger than its headline guests.
Visitors could explore exhibition booths, collectibles, toys, comics, gaming activities, artist areas, cosplay programs, creator workshops, live performances, and community activities.
The 10th anniversary edition also brought together comic artists from Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. This international creator exchange added another layer to the convention, highlighting how pop culture can connect different creative communities across Asia.
For gamers, collectors, anime fans, photographers, and cosplay enthusiasts, there was plenty to explore throughout the two-day schedule.
The Cosplay Photography Experience
From a photography perspective, ICC 2026 was particularly interesting.
The combination of professional international cosplayers, Indonesian cosplay talent, elaborate costumes, convention booths, and large crowds created countless opportunities for event photography.
Photographers attending the convention could capture everything from carefully planned cosplay portraits to spontaneous interactions between fans and creators.
The presence of HaneAme was particularly important for photographers interested in professional cosplay imagery. Meanwhile, the large number of local cosplayers helped create a diverse visual representation of anime, gaming, manga, superhero, and fantasy fandoms.
For aspiring cosplay photographers, events like ICC provide an excellent opportunity to practice composition, lighting, crowd management, and fast-paced event photography.
Final Verdict: A Strong 10th Anniversary Celebration
Indonesia Comic Con 2026 successfully delivered what a modern pop culture convention should offer: major international guests, cosplay, creators, gaming, collectibles, community activities, and opportunities for fans to interact with the people they admire.
The combination of Mackenyu on Day Two and HaneAme throughout both days gave the event strong international appeal. At the same time, the presence of Indonesian and regional creators ensured that ICC remained connected to the local creative community.
The move to JIEXPO Kemayoran’s Hall Expo & Arena also provided a large environment capable of supporting the event’s wide range of activities. With ICC celebrating its 10th anniversary, the 2026 edition felt like both a celebration of the past and a statement about the future of Indonesia’s pop culture industry.
For anime fans, cosplayers, photographers, gamers, comic enthusiasts, and collectors, Indonesia Comic Con 2026 was one of the standout pop culture events of the year in Jakarta.
And with international stars such as Mackenyu and HaneAme appearing alongside local creators and communities, ICC 2026 showed that Indonesia’s cosplay and pop culture scene continues to grow—and is becoming increasingly connected to the global fandom.
