Large offline festivals are a format that has become rare in recent years.Online,streaming and hybrid formats have replaced the usual festival noise,and with it the feeling of a live presence. Comic Con Igromir returned offline after six years – the last time the festival was held in 2019 under a slightly different name – Igromir and Comic Con Russia. In December 2025, it was gathered again in Moscow, in a new location and with a different rhythm. We went to see how this comeback turned out and what remains today of the usual Igromir.
Location and first impression
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We go inside around noon on the first day – there were three festivals in total, from December 12 to 14. There are not many people – you can calmly look around, understand where everything is, and walk between the stands. But almost immediately there is a feeling that this calm is temporary. The complex is clearly not designed for such a number of visitors – and already in the first minutes it is indeed clear: it will be crowded further. This is what ultimately happens.
If we remember Igromir from 2019, the first impression is rather restrained. Not “here it is indeed, it’s back,” but “okay, let’s see what happened.” The festival does not weigh on nostalgia and does not pretend that it has returned to its former form. It simply exists in the current conditions – with all the restrictions and compromises. The first hours pass quite comfortably, even though the movement is felt immediately.It is indeed critically important to take into account the difference in
Comic Con Igromir 2024: A Festival Finding Its New Identity
Comic Con Igromir has returned after a six-year hiatus, and it’s clear the festival is undergoing a transformation. The change in format, location, and overall rhythm is immediately noticeable, signaling a purposeful shift in identity.
Guests and Conversations Without a Scene
The invited guests at the festival – actors, authors, and personalities – feel integrated into the event rather than serving as mere decoration. Opportunities for interaction abound, from autograph sessions to casual conversations, fostering a relaxed atmosphere. Notable attendees included actors from popular Russian series like “Cybervillage” and “Vampires of the Middle Zone.”
we spoke with Sergei Chikhachev, known for his Russian voice work as the Bloody Baron in The Witcher 3, who plays Nikolai in “Cybervillage.” he described how the character’s kind and intelligent nature resonated with his own personality, making the role feel natural and authentic.
Esad Ribic, a renowned artist and illustrator for Marvel and DC comics, was also present, signing autographs and creating artwork for fans. The consistent queues at his table demonstrated the strong appeal of meeting the creator behind beloved comic book pages.
Guests are not isolated in a “star zone” but are instead woven into the fabric of the festival, accessible and approachable without the conventional distance between idols and fans.
A Space to Play and Connect
The festival offers dedicated gaming areas where attendees can play games and take a break from the bustling environment. While popular, these spaces provide a welcome respite and a chance for quiet enjoyment.
What’s the Bottom Line?
Comic con Igromir, after a six-year pause, feels like a festival that is looking for itself again. The format has changed, the location is different, the rhythm is different – and you can feel it almost immediately.
There is life here: cosplay, games, conversations, random encounters, moments you want to linger for, and moments after which you want to pause. Somewhere it’s comfortable, somewhere it’s denser, somewhere it’s noisier – but all this is perceived as features of the format, and not as a failure.
This is not the “Igromir” that we missed for six years, and perhaps it will never become that again. Today it is indeed a different festival – and it is from this point of view that it should be perceived.
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