Anime Times Co. Participates as Title Sponsor in India’s First Anime Event, Featuring Stage Appearances by *Shingeki no Kyojin* Director Araki Tetsuro

Anime Times Co., a collaborative venture formed by 13 companies including Avex Pictures, Kodansha, Shueisha, and Shogakukan, proudly participated as the title sponsor in “Anime India” and the co-located B2B event “Animation & More Summit.” Both events took place in Mumbai, India, from August 22nd to 24th, 2025.

A Groundbreaking Debut for “Anime India”

Despite being its inaugural year, “Anime India” proved to be an overwhelming success, drawing an impressive 29,000 attendees and 5,000 students, solidifying its status as one of India’s largest anime festivals. The event featured booths from 70 companies, including many from Japan, and attracted over 200 business professionals, clearly demonstrating the immense and promising growth potential of the anime market in India. It was a vibrant showcase that truly captured the burgeoning enthusiasm for Japanese pop culture in the region.

Anime Times Co.’s Engaging Presence

Anime Times Co. made a significant impact at the event with several key initiatives. Their booth actively sold official merchandise for popular series like *Shingeki no Kyojin*, featuring items such as posters and acrylic stands, which were a massive hit with fans. Furthermore, they ran a compelling campaign to encourage sign-ups for their “Anime Times” subscription service on Prime Video, successfully capturing widespread interest from the local fanbase eager for more anime content.

Special Guest: Director Araki Tetsuro Electrifies the Crowd

Adding to the excitement, the acclaimed Director Araki Tetsuro, known for his masterful work on iconic anime such as *DEATH NOTE* and *Shingeki no Kyojin*, was invited from Japan as a special guest. He engaged attendees with a captivating panel session on his career journey and hosted an audio commentary stage where he shared fascinating behind-the-scenes production secrets of *Shingeki no Kyojin*. Both events were met with incredible enthusiasm. The festival concluded on a heartwarming note when Director Araki was presented with a handmade booklet by the devoted anime fan community from across India. He expressed his profound appreciation, stating, “I felt great anticipation for India’s enthusiasm and future potential.”

A Vision for the Future: Katsumata Hideo’s Insights

Representative Director Katsumata Hideo also took the stage at a global panel, where he eloquently articulated the vast potential of the Indian market and shared his vision for the future of Japanese anime. His insightful discussions with local industry stakeholders further cemented Anime Times Co.’s reputation as a pioneering force in the Indian market. During a lively Q&A session with anime fans, a deluge of questions arose concerning Japanese anime and his own career in the industry, perfectly illustrating the fervent passion and high level of interest in anime within India.

“Anime India” resoundingly demonstrated the deep-rooted popularity and strong interest in Japanese anime across the nation. Beyond simply expanding the existing fanbase, the event fostered meaningful exchanges between educational institutions and various companies, hinting at significant potential for future talent development and the growth of the content business. Anime Times Co. has affirmed its ongoing commitment to serving as a crucial bridge between Japan and India, aiming to drive the exchange and development of both countries’ anime industries and ultimately contribute to the continued global expansion of Japanese anime.

Full Comments from Event Participants

Mishal Varma, Representative of Anime India (Representative of Animation Xpress)

India is home to over 100 million anime fans, yet the history of official anime access here is still very much in its early stages, holding immense potential for the future. It was only from 2022 that fans gained formal access to anime. Companies like Anime Times are playing a crucial role in nurturing and supporting the growth of the anime community in India.

We are confident that by 2030, India will emerge as the world’s second-largest anime market, trailing only the United States. At Anime India, our core goal was to unite all anime fans on a single, vibrant platform. Thanks to the invaluable support of our partners, we successfully gathered over 29,000 passionate fans over the course of three days. This is merely the beginning; we are committed to continued growth and to championing India’s dynamic anime community.

Company Overview
Company Name: Anime Times Co., Ltd.
Representative: Representative Director Katsumata Hideo (Avex Pictures Co., Ltd.)
Established: March 4, 2015
Address: Sumitomo Fudosan Azabu Juban Bldg. 5F, 1-4-1 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Prime Video Subscription “Anime Times” India Version Overview
Channel Name: Anime Times
Service Start: December 12, 2023 (Tuesday)
Channel Price: First month 39 rupees / Subsequent months 69 rupees per month
*Subscription to Anime Times on Prime Video is required to watch content.

Written by Nakase Koutarou

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