Event Coverage
Anime India, the country’s largest Japanese Anime Convention announced; brings Global Anime Icons, Behind Death Note, Attack on Titan, Black Clover and Gachiakuta to interact with fans in India
MUMBAI: Anime enthusiasts across India are in for the time of their lives this August as Anime India – the first and largest ever full-scale anime convention, a festival focusing on Japanese anime – is set to be held from 22 to 24 August at Hall 1 of Mumbai’s NESCO Bombay Exhibition Centre.
A host of immersive experiences have been planned for fans at Anime India: conversations with Japanese anime maestro directors, voice-over talents, fan panels, anime film festivals, cosplay competition, singing contests, artist alleys, an anime concert, anime quizzes, and more. Die-hard fans can also dive deep into the merchandise zone and purchase original merchandise.
Anime India is already being talked about as a landmark event amongst the community of 100 million Indian Japanese anime enthusiasts. Tetsuro Araki, the acclaimed animation director behind global phenomena such as Attack on Titan and Death Note, is flying in for his first-ever visit to India. Araki will be the key special guest at Anime India, the nation’s largest anime convention.
Anime India marks a monumental moment for the rapidly growing Indian anime community, offering an unparalleled opportunity to engage directly with one of the most influential figures in modern animation. Tetsuro Araki’s visionary work has captivated billions worldwide, with Attack on Titan receiving widespread critical acclaim and a massive global fanbase, and Death Note remaining a timeless psychological thriller.
Also in attendance will be Hideo Katsumata, the President of Avex Pictures behind top anime series like Black Clover, Gachiakuta and the 2024 Crunchyroll Anime Awards winner Look Back. At the colocated Animation & More Summit, Susume Fukunaga, Corporate Officer of The Pokémon Company will be attending as a speaker.
“We are incredibly honored to host Tetsuro Araki for his inaugural visit to India,” says Anime India organiser Neha Mehta. “His presence elevates Anime India to a global stage and underscores the immense passion for anime that exists within our country. This is a dream come true for countless fans who have been inspired by his groundbreaking work.”
“We are really excited to bring the first anime convention to India. This is something I, as an anime fan, truly wanted to see happen. We are also excited to see Katsumata-san, a global legend in the anime space speaking at the event” exclaims Mishaal Wanvari, organiser, Anime India.
Anime India will have a lot more going on, promising an immersive experience for all attendees:
● An Exclusive Panel and Q&A with Tetsuro Araki: Fans will have the chance to hear directly from the master director about his creative process, inspirations, and the intricate worlds he has brought to life.
● Meet and Greet with Voice Actors: Fans have the chance to meet freelance Japanese voice actor Tsunko, who will be traveling to perform at the event.
● Grand Anime Concert: On 24 August, the convention will host a spectacular anime concert, bringing beloved anisongs to life.
● Dynamic Cosplay Competition: Witness incredible talent as cosplayers dress up as their favorite characters, vying for top honors.
● Engaging Anime Quiz: Test your knowledge in a lively quiz challenging fans on all things anime.
● Singing Contest: The best artists from across the country assemble at Anime India to show off their singing prowess.
● Expansive Merchandising Expo Zone: Our professional expo area will feature official licensed merchandise from globally popular IPs including Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan, Spy x Family, Tokyo Revengers, and Naruto, ensuring fans can take home authentic collectibles.
● Artists Alley and Cosplayers Circuit: For the first time in India, over 24 extensively vetted independent artists and cosplay creators from the anime community will be exhibiting at the event, selling original work and explicitly permitted derivative works.
● Fandom Realm: Eight fandom communities including anime clubs, gaming communities, and other interest groups such as Vocaloid fans will be setting up experiences for fans right on the Anime India show floor.
● Fan Panels: Panels span the 3-day schedule of Anime India across our 3 stages, bringing anime fan panel culture to India on an extensive scale – having not just in-depth explorations of the media that we love but also game shows, and so much more!
● Maid Cafe: Come experience the authentic Maid Cafe experience for the first time at an event in India.
● Anime Film Festival: Exciting film and TV anime screenings, with behind-the-scenes footage, exclusively at Anime India!
Anime India aims to be the ultimate celebration of Japanese pop culture, fostering a vibrant community and providing a platform for fans to connect with their favorite series and creators.
The historic visit by Tetsuro Araki is expected to draw record attendance and further solidify India’s position on the global anime map.
Tickets for Anime India can be purchased from Zomato’s District ticketing platform and are available in four brackets: Rs. 199, Rs. 299 and Rs. 799, and Rs. 1499.
Event Details:
● Event: Anime India
● Dates: August 22nd – 24th, 2025
● Location: Mumbai, India (NESCO Bombay Exhibition Centre)
● Special Guest: Tetsuro Araki (Director of Attack on Titan, Death Note)
● Tickets: https://link.district.in/DSTRKT/AnimeIndiaPartnerAds
● Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/animeindia.live
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.
