Romics 2026 is set to bring together comics, animation, cinema, gaming, illustration, cosplay and pop culture fans in Rome for its 37th edition. The festival will take place at Fiera Roma from October 1 to October 4, 2026, according to the official Romics and Fiera Roma event listings.
The event is one of Italy's major international festivals dedicated to the worlds of comics, animation, cinema and games. Across four days, visitors can expect exhibitions, special events, artist meetings, gaming activities, cosplay performances, screenings, workshops and opportunities to meet creators and industry professionals.
For fans traveling to Rome specifically for the festival, Romics offers more than a traditional comic convention. Its program brings together several areas of contemporary entertainment and visual culture, making the event relevant to comic-book readers, anime and manga fans, gamers, illustrators, collectors, cosplayers, families and visitors interested in animation and film.
Romics 2026 Dates and Location
The 37th edition of Romics is scheduled for Thursday, October 1 through Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Fiera Roma, located on Via Portuense in Rome. Fiera Roma's official event calendar confirms the four-day schedule.
The date is an important update for visitors planning their October trip. Earlier event information circulating online may show different dates, but the current official listings identify October 1–4 as the dates for Romics 37.
The festival will use multiple exhibition and event spaces at Fiera Roma. Romics has described the 2026 edition as a large-scale celebration covering comics, illustration, publishing, cinema, animation, video games, collectibles and related entertainment.
Fiera Roma provides a large exhibition environment capable of hosting different activities simultaneously. This means visitors can move between exhibitions, creator sessions, gaming areas, cosplay activities and stage events rather than experiencing the festival as a single-track program.
What Is Romics?
Romics is the International Festival of Comics, Animation, Cinema and Games. Its programming reflects the increasingly connected nature of modern pop culture, where comics, movies, anime, games, illustration and cosplay frequently overlap.
The festival brings together publishers, artists, authors, collectors, retailers, gaming communities, performers and fans. Official exhibitor information highlights areas including publishing, collectibles, comic shops, merchandise, video games and gadgets.
That broad scope is one reason Romics has developed beyond the traditional idea of a comic-book fair. A visitor might arrive primarily for comics but spend the day exploring animation exhibitions, meeting an illustrator, watching a cosplay performance, attending a gaming activity or discovering new publications.
For international visitors, the event also provides an opportunity to experience Italy's comic and animation culture while seeing international influences represented throughout the festival.
Cosplay Remains One of Romics' Major Attractions
Cosplay is a central part of the Romics experience, with the Romics Cosplay Award continuing to be one of the festival's signature events.
According to the official Romics announcement, the Cosplay Award has been running for more than 15 years and brings together cosplayers from across Italy. Performances draw inspiration from comics, manga, video games and cinema, with participants creating detailed costumes and character interpretations.
The competition is more than simply a costume display. Participants combine costume construction, character interpretation and stage performance to transform familiar fictional characters into live performances.
For photographers and fans, cosplay also creates some of the most visually distinctive moments of the festival. Costumes inspired by superheroes, anime characters, fantasy worlds and video games are expected to form an important part of the atmosphere throughout the venue.
Families will also have their own dedicated cosplay experience. Romics Cosplay Kids is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, giving younger fans an opportunity to participate in cosplay and dress as characters from comics, fantasy, video games and other fictional worlds.
The inclusion of a children's cosplay program demonstrates how the festival caters to different age groups rather than focusing exclusively on adult collectors and enthusiasts.
Takeshi Koike and the World of Lupin III
One of the notable international animation stories surrounding Romics 2026 is the participation of Takeshi Koike, the Japanese director, animator and character designer associated with projects including REDLINE, The Animatrix: World Record and the LUPIN THE IIIRD film series.
Romics has announced Koike as a Golden Romics honoree for the 37th edition.
His connection with LUPIN THE IIIRD is particularly relevant to this year's festival because Lupin III is the central character of the Romics 37 campaign. The festival is highlighting LUPIN THE IIIRD – The Immortal Bloodline, described by Romics as the latest cinematic chapter in Koike's five-film series.
Koike's program includes a screening of Lupin the IIIrd – The Movie – La stirpe immortale on October 2 in Padiglione 8, followed by a question-and-answer session. Additional sessions celebrating his work and signing opportunities are scheduled during the weekend.
For anime and animation enthusiasts, these sessions provide an opportunity to see how an internationally recognized animator approaches character design, directing and visual storytelling.
Golden Romics Celebrates Creators
The Romics d'Oro, or Golden Romics, is another important part of the festival's identity. The award recognizes creators and professionals whose work has made a significant contribution to comics, illustration, animation and related creative fields.
The 2026 edition includes several notable names.
Among them is Max Bunker, the creator associated with Italian comic characters and series including Alan Ford, Kriminal and Satanik. Romics announced that he would receive the Romics d'Oro during the 37th edition.
Another honoree is Stefano Bessoni, an Italian director, illustrator and stop-motion artist whose work combines fairy-tale imagery, science, anatomy and fantastical themes.
Simone Legno, artist, illustrator and co-founder of tokidoki, is also among the Golden Romics recipients. His work has connected contemporary illustration with Japanese-inspired pop culture and has developed an international audience.
The festival has also announced international animation artist Takeshi Koike as a Golden Romics honoree.
Together, these guests reflect the range of creative disciplines represented at Romics, from traditional comics and illustration to animation, character design and contemporary pop culture.
Comics, Illustration and Artist Meetings
While cosplay and gaming often attract large crowds, the creative heart of Romics remains strongly connected to comics and illustration.
The official program includes presentations, exhibitions, workshops and meetings involving artists and authors. The 2026 guest announcements include international comic creators such as Darick Robertson, Leandro Fernández, John McCrea and R.M. Guéra, alongside other artists and illustrators.
For aspiring artists, the event also has a professional dimension.
The Romics Pro Area is designed to connect publishers, authors, artists and industry professionals. Its activities include pitching sessions and portfolio reviews, creating a space where emerging creators can present their work to publishing professionals.
This makes Romics relevant not only to fans but also to people interested in developing a career in comics, illustration and publishing.
Gaming and Interactive Entertainment
Gaming is another major component of Romics.
The festival's official exhibitor information identifies video games, card games, collectibles, gadgets and gaming-related merchandise among the sectors represented at the event.
Gaming at a large pop-culture festival also naturally overlaps with cosplay and fandom. Characters originally introduced through video games frequently appear in cosplay competitions, while gaming communities can use conventions as meeting points for demonstrations, activities and social events.
The Entertainment Area adds another layer to the experience. Romics describes it as a meeting space for fans and communities, with settings inspired by fantasy, medieval, Gothic and post-apocalyptic worlds. Fan clubs and associations can create displays and activities connected to literature, cinema and popular culture.
Animation and Film Take Center Stage
Romics is not limited to printed comics. Animation and cinema are major components of the festival, with screenings, presentations, exhibitions and meetings built into the program.
The Takeshi Koike program illustrates this connection particularly well. Visitors can watch his latest LUPIN THE IIIRD film and then attend a Q&A session with the director and animator.
The festival also includes exhibitions dedicated to creative professionals. One of the scheduled exhibitions focuses on Stefano Bessoni's work across illustration, animation and cinema.
These events give visitors the opportunity to explore animation from different perspectives, including visual development, character design, storytelling and filmmaking.
Romics for Families and Younger Visitors
Romics is also designed to accommodate families.
The festival's Kids & Junior programming includes activities specifically created for younger visitors. Romics Cosplay Kids, for example, gives children an opportunity to participate in the cosplay culture surrounding the wider event.
There are also educational initiatives connected with the festival. The Romics Schools program scheduled educational visits for October 1 and 2, introducing students to comics, illustration, publishing, cinema, animation, visual effects and video games.
This educational component provides a different perspective on the event. Rather than treating comics and gaming simply as entertainment, the program presents them as creative industries involving artistic, technical and professional skills.
Romics 2026 Tickets
The official Romics ticketing page currently lists daily tickets and a four-day pass.
For October 1 and October 2, the listed admission price is €12 plus a €1.50 fee. Tickets for October 3 and October 4 are listed at €15 plus a €1.50 fee. The four-day subscription is listed at €40 plus a €1.50 fee.
Romics states that festival tickets are available through online presale and authorized VivaTicket sales points.
Visitors should check the official ticketing information before traveling because ticket availability, access rules and event arrangements can change.
Children aged 0–5 are listed as having free admission, while children aged six and above require the standard ticket according to the current ticket information. The official page also lists admission arrangements for eligible disabled visitors and companions.
What Visitors Can Expect at Fiera Roma
The scale of Fiera Roma allows Romics to operate across several pavilions and dedicated spaces.
The official program already shows activities taking place in different halls, including Padiglione 5, Padiglione 7, Padiglione 8 and Padiglione 9. For example, the Movie Village stage and Kids & Junior activities are located in different areas, while major animation events involving Takeshi Koike are scheduled in Padiglione 8.
This means visitors should expect to spend significant time moving between areas rather than staying in one exhibition hall.
Checking the daily program before arriving can therefore be useful, especially for anyone who wants to attend a specific artist meeting, screening, cosplay event or workshop.
A Meeting Point for Italy's Pop-Culture Community
One of Romics' defining characteristics is its ability to bring different communities together.
A comic collector, for example, may be interested in an artist meeting or publishing presentation. An anime fan may focus on Japanese animation and manga. A gamer may spend time in gaming areas, while a cosplayer may build the day around competitions and photography.
The festival's exhibitor program reflects this broad audience, bringing together publishers, comic shops, collectors, gaming companies, merchandise sellers and other organizations connected with the entertainment industry.
That combination makes Romics a useful meeting point for both established creators and fans discovering new areas of pop culture.
Why Romics 2026 Is Generating International Attention
The 2026 edition has several elements that make it particularly relevant to international comic and animation audiences.
The presence of Takeshi Koike, the focus on Lupin III, the Golden Romics program and the participation of international comic artists give this year's event a strong global dimension.
At the same time, the festival retains its strong Italian identity through its celebration of Italian comics, illustration, dubbing, animation and creative talent.
The combination creates a festival where international franchises and creators exist alongside Italy's own comic-book and animation traditions.
Planning a Visit to Romics 2026
Anyone planning to attend Romics should start with the official four-day schedule and identify the events they most want to see.
Because activities are distributed across multiple halls, visitors may benefit from checking the daily timetable in advance. Popular sessions involving major guests can attract significant interest, while some activities, such as selected signing sessions, may require advance booking. The Takeshi Koike signing sessions, for example, are listed as reservation-based events.
Visitors interested in cosplay should also check registration requirements and deadlines for competitions or children's activities rather than assuming that participation is available on the day.
Travelers coming from outside Rome should also consider the event's location at Fiera Roma when arranging accommodation and transportation.
Romics 2026: A Festival Built Around Creativity
What makes Romics different from a conventional trade fair is the way it combines commercial exhibition space with creative programming.
The event provides space for publishers and retailers, but it also puts artists, animators, writers, cosplayers, gamers and fans in the same environment.
The result is an event where visitors can move from a comic exhibition to an animation screening, from a gaming activity to a cosplay performance, or from an artist presentation to a merchandise stand within the same day.
For young creators, the Pro Area provides professional opportunities, while educational programs introduce students to creative industries.
Romics 2026 in Rome: What to Know
For anyone searching for Romics 2026 dates, tickets, cosplay events, gaming activities and guests, the essential information is now clear.
Event: Romics 37th Edition
Dates: October 1–4, 2026
Location: Fiera Roma, Rome, Italy
Focus: Comics, animation, cinema, gaming, illustration and pop culture
Major themes: Cosplay, Japanese animation, comics, gaming, exhibitions, creator meetings and family programming
Notable guest: Takeshi Koike
Special focus: LUPIN THE IIIRD
Ticketing: Official Romics online ticketing and authorized VivaTicket outlets
The official festival program should remain the primary source for final schedules, individual event times and any changes to activities.
Romics 2026 is scheduled for October 1–4 at Fiera Roma in Rome, bringing together comics, animation, cinema, gaming, illustration, cosplay and fan communities for its 37th edition. The event's program includes the Romics Cosplay Award, Kids & Junior activities, professional opportunities for artists, exhibitions and meetings with international creators. The presence of Takeshi Koike and the festival's focus on LUPIN THE IIIRD add a significant animation component to this year's program.
For visitors planning a trip to Rome, the festival offers several different ways to experience contemporary pop culture, from cosplay and gaming to comics, animation and professional creative events. With multiple halls and programs running throughout the four-day event, checking the official schedule and ticket information before visiting will help attendees plan their time at Romics 2026.