Kynjai Fest 2025 brought Shillong alive with its vibrant energy, making the State Central Library the beating heart of Asian pop culture on October 3rd and 4th, 2025. For lovers of anime, gaming, K-pop, and everything in-between, nothing shone brighter than the exhilarating cosplay segment, turning the spotlight on local and international creativity like never before.

Event Highlights & Full Schedule

The festival welcomed fans from all corners with open arms, offering free entry and registration ; making it the most accessible pop culture celebration in the Northeast.

Dates & Venue: October 3rd–4th, 2025, State Central Library, Shillong.
Kickoff: Gates opened at noon on both days, with a packed itinerary extending into the evening.
Artist Lineup Day 1: Rimeka Dora, DKG, Chegim Durama, and Neverend brought musical energy to the stage.
Artist Lineup Day 2: Soulgroove, Street Stories, Reble, and Penny lit up the venue.
Pop-Up Food Experiences: Kynjai Cloud Kitchen kept everyone fueled for fun.
Other Events: Conversations with creators, merch booths, dance contests, and more made it a holistic festival experience.

Focus on Cosplay: Heart of Kynjai Fest

This year marked the thrilling third edition of Kynjai’s iconic Cosfest, with an expanded stage and a bigger prize pool and even accommodation for the first 31 cosplay registrants, setting a new standard for inclusivity.

Cosplay Without Borders!

Guest judges included the internationally renowned KAEL PK and EARNIES HIME from Thailand, alongside local legend Zacky D from Shillong, making the contest truly global.
Spotlight events featured “Cosplay Without Borders,” a panel on global cosplay trends with Earnies, Kael, Hiro san, and Zacky D, held on October 3rd.

What Made Cosplay at Kynjai Fest Special?

International Influence: Kael PK and Earnies Hime brought cross-cultural flair, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and cosplay tips with enthusiastic fans.
Local Pride: Zacky D inspired a new generation of Shillong cosplayers, championing homegrown talent and creativity.
Diverse Characters: Participants dazzled as characters from anime, gaming, and K-pop, showing the region’s expanding fandom horizons.
Grand Stage: All eyes were on the cosplayers as they strutted, battled, and performed for glory—a moment of pure fandom and community unity.

Why Kynjai Fest’s Cosplay Event Matters

Cosplay is more than just dressing up; it’s a celebration of identity, storytelling, and pop culture passion. It bridges cultures, builds confidence, and for many attendees, it’s the highlight of the year. This year’s international judging panel and special sessions made the event both competitive and inspiring for veterans and first-timers alike.

Kynjai Fest 2025 proved once again that Shillong is a rising star in Asia’s pop culture universe—with cosplay leading the charge in creativity, community, and sheer fun.