“Looking Forward to meeting all of you” Legendary Director of Naruto, Hayato Date shares a warm message on his appearance at ANIME INDIA MUMBAI 2026

MUMBAI: Anime India, India’s largest and fastest-growing anime convention, today announced that Hayato Date, the legendary anime director behind Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, will join Anime India Mumbai 2026 as its headline international guest. The event will take place over three days—28, 29, and 30 August 2026—at the NESCO Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, Mumbai, welcoming fans from across India and the world.

This marks Hayato Date’s first official visit to India and his first appearance at a fan convention on Indian soil. It represents a landmark moment for the Indian anime community, which has grown exponentially over the past decade, with Naruto remaining one of the most beloved and culturally significant franchises in the country.

Greeting the Indian community, Hayato Date shared:

“Thank you very much for inviting me to Anime India Mumbai 2026. It has been almost ten years since NARUTO finished its original broadcast in Japan with Episode 699, which I had the privilege of working on. To be honest, I don’t know very much about the anime scene in India, so I’m a little nervous, but also very excited, to find out how NARUTO has been loved and enjoyed in a country so far away with such a different culture. If you see me at the event, please don’t hesitate to come and say hello! I’d love to meet you. The only problem is… I only speak Japanese! (Haha.) I’m really looking forward to meeting all of you and sharing our love of anime together. See you in Mumbai!”

Neha Mehta, Co-Founder of Anime India, highlighted the strategic growth of the market:

“India has rapidly evolved into one of the most vital growth markets for anime globally, and hosting Director Hayato Date proves that the international industry is paying close attention. His work on Naruto set a global standard for storytelling and animation. Bringing a creator of his stature to Mumbai for Anime India 2026 isn’t just a win for fans—it’s a definitive statement about the scale, maturity, and future potential of the Indian anime ecosystem.”

Mishaal Wanvari, Co-Founder of Anime India, expressed his excitement regarding the milestone:

“Our vision for Anime India has always been to build a bridge between global anime legends and one of the world’s most passionate fan communities. Bringing Director Hayato Date to Mumbai is a historic milestone for us. For over two decades, his masterclass direction gave life to Naruto’s journey—shaping the very foundation of anime culture globally. We are incredibly proud to host him at Anime India Mumbai 2026, offering Indian fans an unprecedented, immersive experience that celebrates the true artistry behind the stories they love.”

About the Guest: Hayato Date

Hayato Date is one of the most consequential directors in anime history. Best known for directing the complete run of Naruto (2002-2007) and its sequel series Naruto Shippuden (2007-2017), Date helmed one of the longest-running, highest-impact anime franchises in the world for 15 consecutive years—an unparalleled commitment to a single creative vision in modern anime history. Under his direction, the franchise produced over 720 episodes, spanning iconic arcs, battles, and emotional milestones.

At Anime India Mumbai 2026, Hayato Date will participate in an exclusive flagship stage session as well as a meet-and-greet with fans, press, influencers, and the broader anime community, giving Indian fans the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet the man who gave their favourite story its voice, its rhythm, and its soul.

What to Expect at Anime India Mumbai 2026

• Flagship Stage Sessions: Exclusive panel and Q&A with Hayato Date, alongside curated programming on Naruto, anime direction, and the craft behind building a generational franchise.
• Fan Meet & Greet: A dedicated session for fans, press, and creator communities to meet Hayato Date up close.
• AIDOL: Anime India Singing Contest: India’s premier anime singing competition, celebrating the vocal talent within the Indian fan community.
• Cosplay Competition: Featuring individual, group, and skit categories across all anime fandoms, with a dedicated Naruto tribute showcase.
• Artist Alley & Merch Zone: Original and licensed merchandise, fan art, and creator pop-ups representing India’s thriving anime creator economy.
• Maid Café & Immersive Zones: Fan-favourite experiential spaces including a Maid Café, Versus Gaming Arena, Dome 360° Experience, and more.
• Anisong Concert: Live performances by anisong artists/J-pop stars carrying the musical spirit of anime culture to the Mumbai stage.

Event Details

• Event: Anime India Mumbai 2026
• Dates: 28th, 29th & 30th August 2026
• Venue: Nesco Exhibition Centre, Goregaon, Mumbai, India
• International Guest: Hayato Date (Director, Naruto & Naruto Shippuden)
• Tickets: Official Ticket Link
• Social Media: @animeindia.live

About Anime India

Anime India is India’s premier anime and pop culture convention, delivering a full-spectrum fan experience that spans international guest panels, live concerts, cosplay competitions, and immersive cultural programming. Since its inaugural edition in Mumbai in 2025, which drew 29,000 attendees across three days, Anime India has grown rapidly, expanding to Kolkata (35,000+ attendees) and Delhi (40,000+ attendees), each edition breaking the record of the last. The Mumbai 2026 edition promises to be the most ambitious yet, bringing together India’s largest gathering of anime fans with world-class programming and brand experiences.