iWorld
Crunchyroll brings the treasure of the ‘One Piece’ anime to India
Mumbai: The English dubs of the iconic, long-time anime series that is taking the world by storm – One Piece – are setting sail for India to stream on Crunchyroll.
For the first time on Crunchyroll in India, fans will be able to join the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirates with the entire legendary Land of Wano story arc (Episodes 892-1024) starting Wednesday, October 25. The series will be available in Japanese with English dubs, complementing the English subtitles that launched last month, with new dub episodes launching regularly in India.
One Piece is a worldwide phenomenon that has been in continuous production since the series’ Japanese broadcast premiere in 1999 and recently marked a major franchise milestone with its 1,000th episode in 2021.
Produced by Toei Animation and based on the top-selling manga title of all time, written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece features the epic quest of Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates to find the “One Piece,” the legendary treasure of the former King of the Pirates, Gol D. Roger. One Piece’s global pop culture status is the crowning achievement for this anime franchise, which encompasses theatrical films such as 2022’s One Piece Film Red, home videos, video games, and an ever-expanding catalog of licensed merchandise that includes accessories, toys, novelties, furniture, housewares, and apparel.
The English dub cast of One Piece includes the following voice actors:
1. Monkey D. Luffy voiced by Colleen Clinkenbeard
2. Roronoa Zoro voiced by Christopher R. Sabat
3. Nami voiced by Luci Christian
4. Usopp voiced by Sonny Strait
5. Vinsmoke Sanji voiced by Eric Vale
6. Tony Tony Chopper voiced by Brina Palencia
7. Nico Robin voiced by Stephanie Young
8. Brook voiced by Ian Sinclair
9. Franky voiced by Patrick Seitz
10. Trafalgar D. Water Law voiced by Matthew Mercer
11. Kaido voiced by David Sobolov
12. Kozuki Oden voiced by Robbie Daymond
13. Yamato voiced by Michelle Rojas
iWorld
JioHotstar enters micro-drama space with 100 shows under Tadka banner
Short-form push targets 300M users as content meets commerce in new format
MUMBAI: JioStar has made a bold play in India’s fast-growing micro-drama space, rolling out over 100 short-form shows under its new Tadka banner on JioHotstar, timed with the massive viewership surge of the Indian Premier League 2026.
The scale of the launch signals clear intent. Rather than testing the waters, the company has dived in headfirst, releasing a wide slate of content on day one. Each show is designed for quick consumption, with episodes running 60 to 90 seconds in a vertical format tailored for mobile-first audiences.
The move comes as India’s micro-drama market, currently valued at around $300 million, is projected to grow tenfold to over $3 billion by 2030. Globally, the format has already proven its mettle, with China’s micro-drama sector recording explosive growth in recent years.
What sets this rollout apart is its built-in monetisation strategy. The shows are free to watch and ad-supported, with brand integrations woven directly into storylines from the outset. It reflects a broader shift where content and commerce are increasingly intertwined, rather than operating in silos.
The timing is equally strategic. With more than 300 million users already tuning in for IPL action, JioHotstar is effectively turning cricket’s biggest stage into a discovery engine for its new format.
The company is not entering an empty arena. Early movers like Kuku TV, MX Player and platforms backed by Zee Entertainment Enterprises have already laid the groundwork, building audiences and validating demand for snackable storytelling.
Now, with scale, distribution and advertiser interest aligning, the big players are stepping in. For JioStar, Tadka may well serve as a proving ground for the next evolution of digital entertainment, where every minute counts and every second sells.
If the bet pays off, India’s next big content wave might just arrive in under 90 seconds.
