Anime India to bring Naruto director Hayato Date to Mumbai convention

MUMBAI: Anime fans in Mumbai are getting a convention worthy of a final boss battle. Anime India is set to host what it describes as India’s largest-ever anime convention from August 28 to 30 at the NESCO Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, with more than 50,000 fans expected to attend.

The three-day event will bring together more than 100 exhibitors, Japanese creators and industry executives, live performers and a packed line-up of fan experiences, panels, workshops and competitions.

One of the biggest draws will be Hayato Date, the director behind the hugely popular Naruto and Naruto Shippuden anime series. The appearance will mark his first official visit to India.

The Japanese delegation will also include Hideo Katsumata, president and representative director of Avex Pictures and president of The Anime Times Company; Ryota Hasegawa, an animation producer at TMS Entertainment; and Junichiro Tamura from entertainment and publishing group Kadokawa.

The delegation brings experience across some of the industry’s biggest franchises. Katsumata has worked on major anime properties, while Hasegawa has been involved with contemporary titles including Sakamoto Days. Tamura represents Kadokawa, whose portfolio includes anime such as Oshi no Ko and Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World.

The convention floor will be designed around immersive experiences inspired by Japanese pop culture, giving visitors the chance to step into worlds associated with franchises such as Demon Slayer, Naruto, Jujutsu Kaisen and Doraemon.

A Pokémon Champions experience will add a competitive gaming element, while fans of Jujutsu Kaisen can visit a limited-edition fifth-anniversary activation featuring official merchandise.

There will also be a secretive Naruto Dark Room experience, although details remain under wraps.

Beyond anime, the event will include a gaming arena featuring titles such as Street Fighter and retro arcade machines. Visitors can also try traditional Japanese yukata, participate in a Tanabata wishing festival and visit a pop-up Maid Café.

A marketplace offering Japanese food will round out the cultural experience.

Music will be another major attraction, with performances scheduled from Japanese J-Pop artists including ASCA, known for themes from Sword Art Online, Fate/Apocrypha and Darwin’s Game. The line-up also features Luna Gaomi, Yura Akari and J-Pop YouTube duo Mofmofmo.

The convention will put fan creativity centre stage with a total prize pool of Rs 4 lakh.

Competitions will include a Grand Cosplay Challenge, Closet Cosplay, Gaming Cosplay, prop-making contests and anime trivia. The format is designed to give both seasoned cosplayers and newer fans a chance to participate.

Anime India’s co-founder Neha Mehta said the expected turnout reflects the rapid growth of India’s anime community, while co-founder Mishaal Wanvari said the event aims to bring Japanese creators, entertainment and cultural experiences closer to Indian audiences.

The convention will also focus on India’s growing animation ecosystem. Local animators, storyboard artists, illustrators and other creators will get opportunities to interact with Japanese professionals, gain exposure to production practices and build industry connections.

The organisers see this exchange as more than a fan gathering. Greater interaction between Indian creators and Japanese studios could open doors for mentorship, outsourcing, co-production and future collaborations around intellectual property.

With 50,000 fans expected under one roof, Anime India’s Mumbai convention is shaping up as both a celebration of Japanese pop culture and a sign of how firmly anime has moved into India’s mainstream entertainment conversation.