Lucca Comics and Games: A celebration of geek culture in Tuscany

An immersive gathering for pop culture enthusiasts

Italy’s Lucca Comics and Games is back for its 58th edition, held over Halloween weekend from October 30 to November 3. This immersive festival, known as Europe’s largest cosplay event, will see thousands of fans descend upon the medieval Tuscan town to revel in the vibrant world of pop culture.

The butterfly effect: This year’s theme

The theme of this year’s edition, “The Butterfly Effect,” symbolizes the far-reaching impact of Lucca Comics and Games over nearly six decades. The event has evolved into a global phenomenon, embracing a diverse range of content from TV shows and video games to comic books and horror movies. As Artistic Director Emanuele Vietina notes, this festival has created a “butterfly effect,” inspiring fans and creators worldwide, from South Asia to North and South America.

Celebrating culture: Yoshitaka Amano’s unique touch

A hallmark of this year’s event is the specially designed poster by legendary Japanese artist Yoshitaka Amano, known for his work in the Final Fantasy video game series. The poster melds chaos theory with a homage to Lucca’s celebrated composer, Giacomo Puccini, creator of “Madame Butterfly,” reinforcing the festival’s theme.

Exclusive previews and star-studded panels

Lucca Comics and Games has become a prestigious platform for launching international content. This year marks a significant highlight with the global teaser of “Squid Game” Season 2, featuring appearances by director Hwang Dong-hyuk and stars Lee Jung-jae and Wi Ha-jun. Fans can delve into exclusive panels and meet the minds behind the hit show ahead of its December 26 release on Netflix.

Immersive experiences in the heart of Lucca

The central Piazza San Michele will transform with the Squid Game Pavilion, offering fans an immersive experience. Highlights include a replica of the sterile dormitory from the show and a life-sized model of Young-hee, the menacing doll from the iconic “Red Light, Green Light” game.

Participation of major streaming platforms

All the major streaming platforms are set to showcase their latest and most anticipated content:

Disney+

Disney+ will promote the concluding episodes of its WandaVision spinoff, “Agatha All Along”, featuring Kathryn Hahn.

Apple TV+

Apple TV+ makes its Lucca debut with the thriller “Tetris,” directed by Jon S. Baird. The film will mark the 40th anniversary of the iconic video game, with the presence of creator Alexey Pajitnov and co-founder Henk Rogers.

Prime Video

Prime Video will introduce “Citadel: Diana,” an Italian spy series part of its high-concept Citadel franchise, executive produced by the Russo Brothers and starring Matilda De Angelis.

CrunchyRoll

Anime streamer CrunchyRoll and Toei Animation will celebrate the 25th anniversary of “One Piece” with special guests, including director Tatsuya Nagamine and animation director Kenji Yokoyama.

Films, horror nights, and more

Universal Studios

Universal will unveil its eagerly awaited musical “Wicked,” starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, anticipated to premiere in U.S. theaters on November 22.

Gabriele Salvatores

Oscar-winning director Gabriele Salvatores will present a panel alongside visual effects supervisor Victor Perez, discussing his upcoming film “Naples to New York,” based on a screenplay by Federico Fellini.

Horror nights

Fitting for the Halloween setting, I Wonder Pictures will screen Coralie Fargeat’s horror film “The Substance,” and Minerva will premiere Osgood Perkins’ “Longlegs,” curated by “The Nest” director Roberto De Feo. The festival will also feature a screening of the 1985 cult classic “Demons,” with director Lamberto Bava in attendance.

A unique festival experience

Giovanni Cova, head of Milan-based entertainment marketing company QMI and co-organizer of Lucca’s film and TV strand, emphasizes that Lucca is more than just about films: “People want to live the experience fully, touch props, play games, buy collectibles, and dress up.” This immersive experience extends to spontaneous parades of cosplayers dominating the town, celebrating upcoming releases like “Gladiator 2.”

Inspiring the next generation

The magic of Lucca Comics and Games doesn’t just end with the event. Many younger fans, inspired by the creativity and community spirit, may be driven to create their own comic books or screenplays that could one day make a significant mark on global pop culture. Truly, a butterfly effect in action.

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