India Launches First National Initiative for Nurturing and Promoting
After months of regional competitions and thousands of submissions, the WAVES Anime & Manga Contest (WAM!) has selected its finalists from 11 cities across India. These talented individuals will compete in the national finale during the World Audio-Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, taking place from May 1 to 4 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. This initiative, organized by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in collaboration with the Media & Entertainment Association of India, aims to promote original Indian intellectual properties in anime, manga, webtoons, and cosplay.
WAVES 2025: A Platform for Creators
The WAVES 2025 event is set to be a landmark occasion for the media and entertainment sector in India. With the theme “Create in India, Create for the World,” the summit aims to empower Indian creators to expand their horizons and reach global audiences. WAVES serves as a significant platform for the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) sectors. The Create in India Challenges (CIC) have already made headlines, attracting around 100,000 registrations, including 1,100 international participants. After a rigorous selection process, over 750 finalists have been chosen from 32 unique challenges, showcasing the diverse talent present in the country.
Crunchyroll Joins as Title Sponsor
In a notable development, Crunchyroll, a leading global anime brand, has stepped in as the Title Sponsor for WAM! 2025. This partnership includes the introduction of a Creator Development Grant aimed at nurturing and empowering the contest winners. The grant will support emerging artists and storytellers in the fields of anime, manga, and webtoons, helping them develop original intellectual properties for a global audience. The grant details include INR 25,000 for both student and professional categories in manga and webtoons, and INR 50,000 for anime in both categories. This initiative is expected to significantly boost the creative landscape in India.
Support for Team India at Anime Japan 2026
As part of its commitment to fostering Indian talent, Crunchyroll will also support Team India, the winners of the WAM! 2025 finale, as they represent the country at Anime Japan 2026. This prestigious event is recognized as the world’s premier anime exhibition, and Crunchyroll’s backing will provide a valuable opportunity for Indian creators to showcase their work on an international stage. Crunchyroll, LLC operates as a joint venture between Sony Pictures Entertainment and Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment in Japan, both part of the Tokyo-based Sony Group.
About WAVES
The World Audio-Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) is a significant event for the media and entertainment sector, hosted by the Government of India in Mumbai from May 1 to 4, 2025. The summit aims to connect industry professionals, investors, creators, and innovators, providing a global platform for collaboration and innovation. WAVES seeks to enhance India’s position as a hub for content creation, intellectual property, and technological advancement, focusing on various sectors, including broadcasting, print media, television, films, animation, and gaming. The event promises to amplify India’s creative strengths and contribute to the growth of the media and entertainment landscape.
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