Anime India Mumbai 2026: Naruto director Hayato Date to headline major convention at NESCO
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Anime India convention Photograph: (Anime India)
Anime India is gearing up for a landmark Mumbai edition, with the three-day convention set to bring Japanese anime culture and India's rapidly growing fandom together under one roof. Read to know more.
With anime, J-pop and the whole of Japanese pop culture, India is steadily finding a strong fan base; the country's fandom is getting bigger and more visible than ever. From iconic anime franchises to Japanese music, cosplay and gaming, Indian fans are embracing the culture in their own way. Now, Anime India Mumbai 2026 is bringing that community together for a major three-day celebration at NESCO, featuring acclaimed Japanese creators and artists.
Details of creators and performers at Anime Convention at NESCO
Anime India, the premier platform bridging Japanese pop culture and Indian fandom, is officially launching the country’s largest-ever anime convention. Taking place from 28 to 30 August 2026 at the prestigious NESCO Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, Mumbai. This edition of the convention welcomes a stellar delegation of global industry leaders, visionaries, and performers travelling directly from Japan to engage with Indian enthusiasts through exclusive Q&A panels, meet-and-greet sessions, and mainstage events.
In the event will be present are Hayato Date, the director of Naruto, and Naruto Shippuden, making his highly anticipated, first official visit to India. Hideo Katsumata is a veteran Japanese corporate executive who serves as the President and Representative Director of Avex Pictures Inc. and President of The Anime Times Company. Renowned animation producer Ryota Hasegawa, from TMS Entertainment, has been driving massive contemporary global hits such as Sakamoto Days.
A visionary representative from heavy-hitter entertainment conglomerate Kadokawa, the publishing powerhouse behind modern cultural anime phenomena like Oshi no Ko and Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World – will also be present at the event. Across the event, it will feature global J-Pop sensation ASCA (opening themes for Sword Art Online, Fate/Apocrypha, and Darwin's Game), celebrated artist Luna Gaomi (Sparks of Tomorrow on Netflix), Love Live! talent Yura Akari, and trending J-Pop YouTube duo Mofmofmo.
Experiences and cultural showcases for anime fans
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Attendees at the anime convention can traverse massive spaces tracking hits like Demon Slayer, Naruto, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Doraemon, alongside a competitive Pokémon Champions experience booth. Moreover, the fans will gain access to a limited-edition 5th anniversary Jujutsu Kaisen booth experience featuring exclusive official merchandise, alongside a thrilling, highly classified secret Naruto Dark Room experience.
The event presents a massive gaming arena packed with legendary fighting titles like Street Fighter and retro arcade machines, a traditional yukata-wearing trial, a beautifully orchestrated Tanabata wishing festival, a pop-up Maid Café ready to serve themed treats, and a vibrant marketplace for authentic Japanese culinary foods.
Speaking on the massive scale of the upcoming event, Neha Mehta, co-founder of Anime India, stated, "With over 50,000 fans gathering at NESCO, this convention is a testament to the explosive growth of the Indian anime community. We aren't just hosting an event; we are building a world-class cultural bridge that firmly places India on the global pop-culture map."
Highlighting the immersive nature of the convention floor, Mishaal Wanvari, co-founder of Anime India, added, "From legendary international creators to authentic culinary and cultural experiences, we are bringing the heart of Tokyo directly to Mumbai. This landmark celebration is designed to give Indian fans the larger-than-life convention experience they have always dreamed of."
