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Anime India to Host Major Mumbai Convention Featuring Hayato Date and Japanese Industry Leaders

Anime India has announced plans to host a large-scale anime convention at the NESCO Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, Mumbai. Scheduled to take place from 28 to 30 August 2026, the three-day gathering is projected to attract over 50,000 visitors and feature more than 100 exhibitors, positioning it as the country’s largest convention dedicated to Japanese pop culture.

What Happened

The platform Anime India is organizing a major convention intended to bridge Japanese entertainment and Indian fandom through panel discussions, workshops, and immersive spaces. A major highlight of the event is an international delegation visiting from Japan, headlined by Hayato Date, the director of Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, who will be making his first official appearance in India.

Alongside Hayato Date, the convention will host senior figures from Japan’s entertainment sector, including Hideo Katsumata, President and Representative Director of Avex Pictures Inc. and President of The Anime Times Company; Ryota Hasegawa, animation producer from TMS Entertainment; and Junichiro Tamura, representative from publisher Kadokawa. Live musical acts scheduled for the weekend include J-Pop artist ASCA, singer Luna Gaomi, Love Live! performer Yura Akari, and YouTube duo Mofmofmo.

Key Highlights

  • Dates and Venue: The three-day convention will be held from 28 to 30 August 2026 at the NESCO Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, Mumbai.
  • Scale and Turnout: Over 50,000 attendees and more than 100 commercial and creative exhibitors are anticipated.
  • Prominent Guests: First official visit to India by Naruto director Hayato Date, alongside studio leaders from Kadokawa, Avex Pictures, and TMS Entertainment.
  • Themed Zones: Dedicated fandom zones will showcase popular titles including Demon Slayer, Naruto, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Doraemon, alongside a Pokémon Champions booth.
  • Special Activations: A limited-edition 5th anniversary Jujutsu Kaisen merchandise booth and a secret Naruto Dark Room experience.
  • Cultural and Interactive Attractions: Traditional attractions including a Tanabata wishing festival and Yukata-wearing trials, alongside modern elements such as a Gaming Arena with titles like Street Fighter, a pop-up Maid Cafe, and a Japanese culinary market.
  • Competitions: A ₹4 Lakhs prize pool covering cosplay competitions (including Grand Cosplay, Closet Cosplay, and Gaming Cosplay), prop construction, and anime trivia.
  • Idea Contest: The launch of the “Animetimes Presents Anime Idea Contest” inviting original India-Japan cross-cultural story pitches, offering ¥1,000,000 for the top video pitch and ¥300,000 for the top written proposal.

Why This Matters

According to Anime India co-founders Neha Mehta and Mishaal Wanvari, the gathering is designed to reflect the rapid expansion of Indian anime fandom while creating an international bridge for entertainment exchange. For domestic animators, illustrators, and storyboard artists, the presence of Japanese studio leadership provides direct exposure to established international production practices. The organizers state that establishing these industry links is intended to lay groundwork for creative collaborations, portfolio reviews, talent acquisition, and prospective co-production agreements between Indian talent and Japanese studios.

What to Watch Next

Ticket bookings for the event have been listed on the District ticketing platform. In the lead-up to August 2026, details regarding registration timelines for the “Animetimes Presents Anime Idea Contest” and specific workshop schedules are expected to unfold for participating creators, studios, and attendees.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where will the Anime India convention take place?

The event is scheduled from 28 to 30 August 2026 at the NESCO Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, Mumbai.

Who are the notable international guests attending the event?

Confirmed attendees include Naruto director Hayato Date, Avex Pictures executive Hideo Katsumata, TMS Entertainment producer Ryota Hasegawa, Kadokawa representative Junichiro Tamura, and musical performers ASCA, Luna Gaomi, Yura Akari, and Mofmofmo.

What competitions and prizes have been announced?

The event features a ₹4 Lakhs prize pool across various cosplay, prop-making, and trivia contests, alongside a separate cross-cultural concept competition awarding up to ¥1,000,000 for a video pitch and ¥300,000 for a written proposal.

Source: Based on official information distributed by Anime India via PNN.