Anime India is back in Mumbai. Bigger. Louder. And with the man who directed Naruto.
The 2025 Mumbai debut pulled more than 29,000 visitors over three days. Kolkata crossed 35,000. Delhi pushed past 40,000. Now the festival returns to the Nesco Exhibition Centre from 28 to 30 August 2026 for its largest edition yet.
Headlining the guest list is Hayato Date, director of Naruto and Naruto Shippuden. For a generation that grew up watching Uzumaki chase the Hokage title, Date is not just another name on a panel. He is one of the people who built the modern anime fandom machine.
“Our vision has always been to connect global anime creators with one of the world’s most passionate fan bases,” said Anime India co-founder Mishaal Wanvari. “Bringing director Date to Mumbai is a milestone. His work shaped Naruto for more than two decades. Fans will get a direct line to the craft behind the stories they grew up with.”
The floor is built as a full fandom circuit. Shoutengai street runs as a Japanese-style marketplace stacked with merchandise and collectibles. The Japan pavilion puts culture, entertainment and brands in one zone. Fandom realm gives communities, creators and cosplayers a shared base. Artists alley sells original work and exclusives. Versus experience runs gaming tournaments and competitive play. Cosplay circuit turns the floor into a live character parade.
Programming splits across stages. Flagship stage carries the opening and anime sessions. Shoutengai stage keeps the energy high with performances, guests and community contests. Meet and Greet stage puts fans face-to-face with Japanese singers and special guests.
“India is now one of anime’s critical growth markets,” shared Anime India co-founder Neha Mehta. “Hosting Date shows the international industry is watching. His work set a global standard. Putting a creator of that stature in Mumbai is a clear signal about the scale of the Indian anime ecosystem.”
What fans can expect: exclusive panels and Q&A with Date; Aidol, the anime singing contest; cosplay competitions including Naruto tributes; a Maid Café and Dome 360 experience; an anisong concert; and an Artists alley packed with independent work and brand merchandise.
Dates: 28-30 August 2026. Venue: Nesco Exhibition Centre, Goregaon, Mumbai. Full lineup and tickets at animeindia.live/mumbai.
Anime India has moved from a single-city debut to a multi-city circuit in under two years. Mumbai 2026 is the biggest test yet of whether India’s anime audience is ready for global-scale programming.
