#India #Mumbai #Japanese Anime #Anime India #Anime Times

Celebrating Anime in India: The Historic Anime India Event

In a groundbreaking moment for the anime industry, Anime Times, a company rooted in numerous key stakeholders like Avex Pictures and Kodansha, stepped into the limelight by sponsoring India’s premier anime festival, Anime India. Taking place from August 22 to 24, 2025, at the NESCO Exhibition Centre in Mumbai, this event marked the first-ever Anime India and is considered one of the largest anime festivals in the country.

Over three exhilarating days, the event attracted 29,000 attendees and engaged around 5,000 students, solidifying its status as a hub for anime fans. The festival featured booths from 70 companies, including notable Japanese brands, and gathered over 200 business representatives, reflecting the burgeoning anime market in India.

Key Initiatives by Anime Times

Engaging the Crowd

Uniquely, Anime Times showcased a range of official merchandise from popular series like Attack on Titan and offered engaging activities for fans to experience, connecting both entertainment and business. A subscription promotion for their streaming service, Anime Times, was launched, which captivated the local fanbase and showcased the growing interest in Japanese anime in the region.

Special Appearances and Discussions

One of the highlights of Anime India was the special stage featuring Tetsurou Araki, the acclaimed director known for his works on Death Note and Attack on Titan. His involvement included engaging panel discussions themed around career insights and behind-the-scenes stories related to Attack on Titan. This attracted substantial fan engagement and enthusiasm, with a touching moment when a handmade booklet from the Indian anime community was presented to Araki. He expressed his excitement about India's vibrant fandom and future potential.

Insights from Leadership

In a global panel discussion, Hideo Katsumata, the CEO of Anime Times, spoke about the incredible potential of the Indian market for the anime industry. Emphasizing the mutual exchanges with local industry professionals, he highlighted the company’s pioneering role in the landscape of Indian anime. During a Q&A session with fans, a plethora of enthusiastic questions surfaced regarding Japanese anime and the journey of his career in the anime industry.

Comments from Key Figures

Mishal Wanvalli, the representative of Anime India and founder of Animation Xpress, noted that over 100 million anime fans exist in India, a market still in its infancy with immense potential yet to be tapped. With contributions from companies like Anime Times, efforts are underway to nurture the anime community and support its growth. Wanvalli confidently posits that India is poised to become the second-largest anime market by 2030, second only to the United States. Anime India was designed to unify all anime fans under one umbrella, warmly welcoming over 29,000 fans over the festival's three days. The objective is not a one-time event, but a continuous journey toward further growth and community support.

The Future of Anime in India

Anime India demonstrated the lasting interest in Japanese anime within India, reflecting a blossoming fanbase along with increasing exchanges between educational institutions and commercial enterprises that may foster talent development and content business advancements in the future.

Anime Times remains committed to being a vital bridge between Japan and India, facilitating the growth of the anime industries in both nations and contributing to the global expansion of Japanese animation.

About Anime Times

Anime Times champions the slogan “Anytime You Can Enjoy Anime”. It offers a vast selection of both beloved classics and trending series accessible through its subscription service on Prime Video, alongside an official YouTube channel featuring free monthly anime content. The service enables seamless access to a range of animated films, TV series, and Original Video Animations (OVA).

Company Information

• - Company Name: Anime Times Co., Ltd.
• - CEO: Hideo Katsumata (from Avex Pictures Co., Ltd.)
• - Founded: March 4, 2015
• - Address: 5F, Sumitomo Real Estate Azabu-Juban Building, 1-4-1 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

Upcoming Anime Times Subscription in India

• - Channel Name: Anime Times
• - Service Launch: December 12, 2023
• - Channel Price: First Month 39 Rupees / Subsequent Months 69 Rupees

*Note: Registration for Anime Times through Prime Video is required for viewing.

For further updates, visit Anime Times Global site, follow us on Instagram - Anime Times India, and check our YouTube channel.