The biggest anime and gaming celebration in the region is calling, and if you are not already prepping your armor or practicing your combos, you are falling behind. Nagaland Anime Junkies (NAJ) is officially back with the 12th Annual NAJ Cosfest 2026. Set against the beautiful backdrop of The Heritage in Kohima, this two-day festival is packing everything from high-stakes cosplay competitions to intense esports brackets.
Let us break down exactly what is happening on July 25th and 26th, and why you need to lock this into your calendar immediately.
The Essential Details
Before we get into the prize pools and tournament brackets, here is the basic intel you need to secure your spot:
- Dates: 25-26 July, 2026
- Venue: The Heritage, Kohima
- Timings: Saturday (10 AM – 6 PM) | Sunday (12 PM – 6 PM)
- Entry Fee: ₹200
The Cosplay Championship: Two Days, Double the Glory
If you have been following the cosplay scene, you know NAJ does not mess around. This year, they are running separate cosplay contests on both Day 1 and Day 2. That means double the chances to win, but be warned: the NAJ Cosplay Champion of Day 1 cannot compete on Day 2. You have to give the rest of the roster a chance to breathe.
- NAJ Cosfest 2026 Cosplay Competition Rules and Winner Categories including cash prizes and retro consoles
The stakes are undeniably high. The NAJ Cosplay Champion walks away with ₹30,000 in cash, a premium gift hamper, and a retro gaming console. There are also dedicated cash prizes for Best MOBA 5v5 Character Cosplay (₹10,000), Best Performance, and Best Craftsmanship.
Registration is entirely free and happens on-the-spot until 2 PM each day. The contest kicks off at 3 PM sharp. Just remember the golden rules: you must bring your performance audio/visual files on a pendrive, and keep it clean—no profanity or discriminatory remarks. Also, leave the sharpened props, open flames, glitters, and liquids at home. Safety first.
Not quite ready to build a full set of armor from scratch? We have you covered. You can easily level up your look by browsing our costume rentals or grabbing one of our premium wigs for rent to save yourself some serious time and budget before the con.
Esports Arena: MOBA Legends & eFootball
If you prefer digital battlefields over sewing machines, the esports lineup is stacked. NAJ is hosting massive brackets for both eFootball and MOBA Legends 5v5.
The MOBA Legends 5v5 tournament is capped at 128 slots, and the prize pool is totally worth the grind. First place takes home ₹23,000 plus 5k Diamonds, with cash and diamond payouts going all the way down to fourth place. Even better? Accommodation is provided for athletes traveling from outside Nagaland, meaning you have zero excuses not to assemble your squad and register.
Live Music, Food, and Anime Merch
You cannot have a proper pop culture festival without an absolute feast and a massive market. Between the cosplay stages and esports arenas, there will be live music, interactive games, and plenty of food stalls to keep your energy up. Expect rows of merchandise booths selling the best anime collectibles to empty your wallets on.
To stay updated on last-minute announcements or schedule shifts, make sure you are following the official Nagaland Anime Junkies Instagram page.
Start packing, finalize those props, and we will see the photos flooding our feeds. If you need any last-minute gear, you know where to find us.
