Event Coverage
Anime Fusion: A spectacular celebration of anime culture at Anime Times event
Anime enthusiasts and aficionados gathered at two iconic venues, FTII in Pune on 13 December and ITM IDM in Mumbai on 15 December, for a vibrant celebration of Japanese anime at the captivating Anime Fusion event. This thrilling event, presented by AnimationXpress.com and powered by Anime Times, brought together the mesmerising world of anime with a fusion of creativity, passion, and sheer entertainment.
The event commenced with an enthusiastic welcome from the emcee, setting the stage for a day filled with excitement. AnimationXpress director Mishaal Wanvari shared insightful perspectives about AnimationXpress and anime, igniting the crowd’s anticipation for the exhilarating journey into the world of anime.
The spotlight of the event was on Anime Times, a newly introduced channel on Amazon Prime Video. Accompanied by Anime Times general manager Haruka Kikuchi and Yumi Takimoto, the stage lit up with an exclusive presentation unveiling the richness and diversity of anime content available on Anime Times. The audience was invited to delve into the world of Japanese anime, captivating their imaginations and interests.
The Anime Fusion event witnessed a dazzling array of cosplayers, each meticulously embodying beloved characters from the expansive world of anime. From the enigmatic Enderman and the formidable Chainsaw Man to the charismatic Lelouch and the iconic Jotaro Kujo, the venue came alive with the dedication and artistry displayed by these passionate individuals. Attendees were treated to a visual feast as cosplayers transformed into Megumin, Griffith, Batman Ninja, among others, bringing these characters to life with remarkable attention to detail. The event celebrated the diversity of anime through the creative expressions of these talented cosplayers, making it a vibrant showcase of fandom and dedication to the anime culture.
Among these passionate participants, the winner of the cosplay competition at each venue received a grand cash prize of Rs 10,000, while the second place was awarded Rs 5,000. Additionally, the remaining four winners were presented with exciting goodies, adding to the spirit of enthusiasm and camaraderie among the cosplaying community.
In the spirit of engagement, a riveting quiz session tested the audience’s knowledge of anime, with lucky winners receiving official anime merchandises like notebooks, keychains, stickers and much more adding a touch of excitement and fun to the event.
The highlight of the day was a special screening of ZOM 100: Bucket List of the Dead. The series, centered around Akira Tendo, a corporate worker finding renewed vigour amidst a zombie apocalypse. The show’s blend of humour, action, and a poignant exploration of life’s meaning amidst adversity left attendees spellbound, making it a standout feature of the Anime Fusion event.
As the event drew to a close, Mishaal Wanvari, alongside Haruka Kikuchi and Yumi Takimoto, shared reflections on the day’s incredible journey through Anime Fusion, emphasising the significance of anime culture and its vibrant community.
The success of Anime Fusion resonated with the collaborative efforts of Anime Times, AnimationXpress, and the enthusiastic attendees, promising the continuation of such immersive events celebrating the magic of anime. As the curtains drew to a close, the spirit of anime remained alive, leaving attendees eagerly awaiting the next spectacular event.
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.
