Mumbai witnessed AnimationXpress’ Anime India, a cultural phenomenon like never before. From 22 to 24 August, Hall 1, Nesco transformed into a vibrant playground for anime lovers as Anime India made its grand debut. Presented by Anime Times and Toyota, it marked India’s first full-scale anime convention.
From the moment the gates opened, attendees were swept into a vibrant world where Japanese tradition met Indian innovation. The days unfolded with a dynamic blend of musical performances, interactive games, and artist showcases, celebrating the heart and soul of anime fandom. Anime India unfolded simultaneously across six dynamic stages, each curated to deliver a unique experience for fans, creators, and industry insiders alike: Flagship Stage, Shoutengai Stage, Panel Stage, Anime Times Stage, Japan Pavilion Stage, Versus Experience Stage.
The first day set the tone with a powerful mix of artistry, storytelling, and shared passion. In the panel Choose Your Fighter, speakers (game names) b_Haunt, qwertz143, Zayd, Shunitsu and Gupshup discussed the expanding Indian fighting game community.
In An Introduction to Anime Production, Vaibhavi Studios’ Sourav Roychoudhury, also the writer and director of Trio, gave a deep dive into the world of anime production. He shared his creative journey – from story development and world-building to scripting and visual storytelling. The studio’s Atanu Moitra and Ishita Dave revealed the technical magic that turns sketches into stunning animation, behind-the-scenes stories, production secrets, and honest lessons from the challenges and triumphs of making Trio.
In a fireside chat titled Crafting the Magic of Anime in India, India’s award-winning voice-over and dubbing artists – Sanket Mhatre and Lohit Sharma – engaged in a conversation with the voice artist Epsit Ghodke. Mhatre and Sharma are known for bringing iconic anime characters to life in Indian languages. Together, they shared insights on what really goes on behind the mic, how actors capture the soul of anime battles, iconic catchphrases, and lots more. With anime fandom in India growing faster than ever, this panel peeled back the curtain on the journeys, struggles, and passion of voice actors.
Adding to the excitement, fans witnessed a fun-filled onigiri-making battle, where two teams competed in crafting the perfect rice ball, bringing a playful culinary twist to the celebration of anime culture. Attendees also dove into a hands-on manga workshop.
The convention also marked the launch of BHASA (Bhartiya Association of Sequential Arts), a national-level association dedicated to comic book creators and publishers, aligned with the government’s AVGC-XR policy vision. Conducted by Indusverse co-founder and Small Town Boys Studio founder Alok Sharma and Yeti Studio founder Saumin Patel, this initiative aimed to represent and empower Indian sequential art on global platforms, championing indigenous storytelling and placing Indian comics firmly on the international map.
Other highlights from Day 1 included:
- Anime art showcases by emerging Indian artists
- Screenings of the dark fantasy anime Gachiakuta
- Interactive games with fans
- Discussions on how the anime fandom works in the Indian market
Anime India also hosted an Anime Art Contest with the theme Indian Myths And Legends. Winners were announced on the first day, recognising some of the most promising and creative emerging Indian artists.
The day concluded with The Curse of Evangelion, an engaging panel that unpacked the enigmatic production history of Neon Genesis Evangelion and explored its lasting cultural impact. The discussion by voice actor Ghodke and Mumbai Anime Corps manager Ruchir shed light on its unconventional storytelling, troubled development, and permanent influence on anime, highlighting how it reshaped the landscape of animation worldwide.
With two more days brimming with cosplay extravaganzas, screenings, panel discussions, and fan experiences, the momentum only grew. The second and third days of Anime India elevated the celebration further, unveiling fresh perspectives, unforgettable moments, and a few surprises that kept the energy soaring.
India’s anime revolution didn’t just begin at Anime India – it was written into history, rewriting the rules of fandom in the country.
