San Marino Comics 2026 has opened its doors, transforming the historic centre of Titano into a sprawling hub dedicated to comics, cosplay, music, cinema and pop culture. The event, running through Sunday, August 30 with free admission, kicked off on Friday with the opening of the exhibition area and a packed line-up of talks, shows and activities.
“The play button has been pressed, the game has begun: San Marino Comics 2026 today launched its three-day 2026 edition under the banner ‘Press Play: the fantasy starts here!’,” organisers said in a statement.
Among the highlights of the opening day was an appearance by Simone Legno, the Italian artist and designer who co-founded the tokidoki brand and whose exhibition “Icone sacre pop” (Sacred Pop Icons) is already on display in San Marino. To mark the occasion, a philatelic issue with a special San Marino postmark was unveiled on Friday morning. The stamp depicts Libertas, San Marino’s mascot created by Legno for Expo Osaka 2025, with the Three Towers reflected in her eyes.
“Libertas, like Luce (created for the Vatican for the Jubilee), aims to bring what is normally perceived as ‘cold’, institutional and formal closer to people — and above all to the younger generations. We are now in the era of manga, anime, video games and entertainment: if you want to speak to young people, you have to use their language,” Legno explained.
“What’s more, I believe the ‘kawaii’ style I use, which is central to my ‘Sacred Pop Icons’, is a language of brotherhood, friendship and tenderness that aligns closely with Christian principles — and for that reason it can be a great way to bring young people closer to the Church,” he added.
The programme unfolded simultaneously across several locations in the historic centre. At the Talk & Meetings Stage in Piazzale Cava Antica, there was room for cinema and film-based comics, with “Supergirl and Spider-Man: another summer of superheroes and super-problems”, as well as “Anime Wars”, a discussion dedicated to some of the best-known villains. Comics took centre stage with a live performance by Francesco D’Ippolito, a Disney and Topolino artist and creator of the poster for the 2026 edition.
Music and Asian culture brought the Music Stage in Campo Bruno Reffi to life, hosting the “Neon Hunter” show by Letizia Cosplay, inspired by the world of K-Pop Demon Hunters, a live set by Dasinger-Z dedicated to original Japanese theme songs from the 1970s and 80s, and the K-Pop Contest by KST – Kpop ShowTime, featuring solo performers and crews showcasing their choreography.
Activities also took place in the Community Village, including staged sword-fighting displays by the Cat School Stage Fighters and the winged gathering of the Warriors of Minerva and the Atlanteans. Meanwhile, the Asian Village hosted free cosplay workshops, talks and consultations organised by the IncanTales association.
The historic centre also saw the launch of initiatives run with the festival’s partners. The “Golden Ticket Hunt”, born from a collaboration between Arzilli Gioielli, Supermarket San Marino-Alimentari Chiaruzzi and San Marino Comics, offers a challenge through the streets of the town centre. Marlù, meanwhile, brought the “Charm Stage” and the “Epic Quest”, while Gruppo Domina provided artists with an unusual canvas: the bonnet of a Volkswagen T-Roc, which will remain on display for the duration of the event.
The opening day continued into the evening with wrestling inspired by Tiger Mask and 1980s superstars, courtesy of Tana delle Tigri Italian Cosplayers and Old Tribute Superstars Wrestling. “Cosplayers and athletes,” organisers explained, “will bring back the energy of Tiger Mask and the legendary wrestling superstars of the 1980s, in a soft-wrestling show designed to engage fans, families and children.”
Guests also included Marco Rossetti, an actor known for television productions such as “DOC – Nelle tue mani”, “Un passo dal cielo” and “Speravo de morì prima”, in which he played Daniele De Rossi. “Face to Face with Marco Rossetti” was conceived as a journey through his career spanning television, film and theatre, accompanied by clips selected by the actor himself.
The evening programme at the Music Stage also featured the quiz “Guess the Theme Song”, the festival’s official opening ceremony, stand-up comedy by Il Grezza with “Comedy Nerd”, and a K-Pop Experience by Rin Assi.
Saturday brings “Generazione Vanni”
The festival continues today, Saturday, August 29, with another packed day of events. Among the most eagerly awaited is “Generazione Vanni”, the format featuring Giorgio Vanni, Max Longhi and Daniel Tek, which blends concert and DJ set, bringing together classic cartoon theme songs with contemporary sounds.
The programme also makes room for the world of Star Trek, marking sixty years since the saga’s creation. On the schedule is the talk “Star Trek: 60 years between science and history” with Nicola Vianello of the Star Trek Italian Club, and the “Kal-if-fee” duel organised by USS Titano. Other events include StraBizarre’s Aperi-Horror.
San Marino Comics 2026 will run through Sunday, August 30. The event is part of the C.F.C. Comics Festival Community circuit and is organised by LEG Live Emotion Group and the San Marino Comics Association, under the patronage of the State Secretariats for Tourism, Industry, Education and Culture, Territory and Health, and the Castle Council (Giunta di Castello) of San Marino, in collaboration with the Tourism Office.
All festival events are free to attend.
