Event Coverage
Nippon TV heading to Mipcom with new drama series, new entertainment series, and new format
MUMBAI: Marking the 10th Anniversary of its popular format Dragons’ Den (Shark Tank in the US), Nippon Television Network Corporation (NipponTV), the leading commercial broadcaster and network in Japan offering entertainment, anime, documentaries and news, announced today that the company will be heading to MIPCOM with a new drama series, Death Note (11 x 60’), a new entertainment series, MATSUKO-ROID (13 x 30’), and its newest format, the observational reality/game show The Kindergarten (13 x 30’). The announcement was made today by Yukiko Kimishima, Divisional President of International Business Development.
“One of our key mottos at Nippon TV is ‘viewers come first’ and we are confident that these three news projects will be well received by our Japanese audiences, as well as viewers around the world for our format The Kindergarten,” commented Kimishima. “We are also delighted to be celebrating the 10th Anniversary of our international format hit Dragon’s Den which continues to soar in both popularity and ratings in over 25 countries and regions.”
The first title up for Nippon TV is Death Note which is based on the world-renowned comic book serialized between 2003 and 2006 that currently boasts over 30 million copies printed in Japan. This live-action drama series follows Light Yagami’s quest to kill off all criminals and create a world without bad people while using a notebook.
Nippon TV – MIPCOM 2015 – New Titles2-2-2-2-2 known as Death Note. The animation remake of this series has been broadcast and/or streamed in over 150 countries and regions and remains highly popular. In addition, two live-action movies and a musical have been produced, making it a truly multi-platform content.
Next up is the new entertainment series MATSUKO-ROID that marks the world’s first TV show where one of the hosts is an android. The series features Japan’s most famous cross-dressing commentator Matsuko Deluxe and his life-size android Matsuko-Roid, made by cutting edge technology that was developed with the supervision of Professor Ishiguro of Osaka University. The android travels to various places, sometimes to rural areas far from Tokyo, and talks with local people. The real host in Tokyo is connected by Internet and shares his good advice with the locals. This program discusses what television and the world will be like when androids become mainstream.
Rounding out the slate for Nippon TV is The Kindergarten, an observational reality/game show series. The Kindergarten has been successful for over 17 years in primetime Japanese TV and is now being offered as a format for the first time. Utilizing fun tactics, including mysterious monsters, a quiz game, and on-camera confessions, this show captures the adorable moments of kids when cameras are placed in kindergarten classes revealing the sweet charms of children’s daily life through engaging games.
Event Coverage
Anime India announces Amazon MX Player as co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata 2026
MUMBAI: Riding high on the success of its blockbuster Mumbai debut, Anime India is accelerating its nationwide expansion with the announcement of Amazon MX Player as the co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata. The partnership marks a significant step forward in the festival’s mission to deliver large-scale, accessible, and fan-first anime experiences across the country.
Scheduled for 14 and 15 February 2026 at the iconic Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Anime India Kolkata will launch the first regional chapter of what is set to be a year-long, multi-city tour. As the curtain-raiser for the 2026 circuit, the Kolkata edition aims to fuse the energy of global Japanese pop culture with India’s fast-growing community of anime, manga, and pop-culture fans.
A household name in digital entertainment, Amazon MX Player brings unmatched reach and cultural relevance to the Anime India platform. With its expanding focus on anime and youth-driven content, Amazon MX Player’s involvement as co-presenting partner reinforces Anime India’s vision of making anime culture more inclusive breaking barriers of language, geography, and accessibility to connect with fans nationwide.
Anime India Kolkata 2026 will showcase cosplay competitions, interactive zones led by the Indian Gunpla Community, India-39 Vocaloid Community, The Japan Curry, and Adda-o-Otaku by The Otaku Guild. Fans can join tournaments across fighting games, Pokémon VGC, and more. Acclaimed Japanese director Susumu Mitsunaka (Haikyu!!) will attend as guest of honour, appearing in panels and live sessions. Positioned as an immersive celebration of fan culture and industry collaboration, the Kolkata edition marks the beginning of Anime India’s nationwide expansion.
Sharing their perspective on the partnership, Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani expressed, “Anime in India has evolved from a niche interest into a mainstream cultural movement, driven by an increasingly engaged and passionate fanbase. At Amazon MX Player, our focus is on expanding access by bringing anime to audiences across the country for free and in multiple local languages. Our association with Anime India reflects our commitment to supporting the growth of anime in India and deepening connections with fans, while continuing to build Amazon MX Player as a trusted destination for free, high-quality entertainment.”
“Anime India Kolkata is a celebration of how anime has grown beyond entertainment into a powerful cultural and creative force. By bringing fans, creators, and industry leaders onto one shared platform, the festival is helping define the future of pop culture in India,” said Anime India co-founder and director Neha Mehta.
The debut edition of Anime India 2025 in Mumbai attracted over 29,000 fans, quickly cementing its status as a landmark celebration of anime and Japanese pop culture. Riding on this overwhelming response, the Kolkata chapter is projected to draw more than 40,000 visitors across two days, positioning it as one of the biggest anime conventions ever held in eastern India.
Anime India is focused on bringing together fans from across the country to create a truly pan-India celebration of anime, manga, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese culture. With plans to expand into four key metropolitan hubs in 2026—east (Kolkata), north (Delhi), west (Mumbai), and south (Hyderabad)—the festival seeks to deliver globally benchmarked experiences while supporting and uplifting creators, artists, and fan communities throughout India.
