Mumbai, 1 May 2025

The inaugural day at the maiden WAVES 2025 Summit at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai witnessed insightful breakout sessions delving deep into the vibrant AVGC sector of India.

A dynamic breakout session titled “Anime Ascending: Unlocking Global Potential in Storytelling, Fandom & Industry Growth” brought together leading figures from the Japanese and Indian animation industries for a high-powered conversation on the evolution, emotional core, and global trajectory of anime, with key focus on India’s growing potential.

Moderated by Shri Munjal Shroff, Chair, FICCI AVGC-XR Forum, the session featured a distinguished panel: Mr. Makoto Tezka, Director & CEO, Nontetra; Mr. Hideo Katsumata, President, The Anime Times Company, Japan; Mr. Makoto Kimura, CEO, Blue Rights, Japan; Mr. Atsuo Nakayama, CEO & President, Re Entertainment Co. Ltd.; and Ms. Anu Sikka, Business Head – Kids Entertainment and Infotainment, Jiostar.

Mr. Hideo Katsumata spoke about the increasing focus on Indian audiences and languages. He underscored the importance of societal engagement and cultural integration, stating, “We are exploring ways to blend Japanese animation with Indian traditions to connect with local audiences.”

Mr. Atsuo Nakayama offered valuable insights into the economic impact of anime in Japan and noted the vital role of the consumer. He expressed optimism about India as a promising market for Japanese animation and stressed the potential of the entertainment business in bridging cultural and commercial ties between the two nations.

In a detailed presentation, Mr. Makoto Tezka traced the origin of anime, emphasizing that the roots of Japanese animation lie deeply embedded in manga culture.

Ms. Anu Sikka highlighted the extensive research undertaken in India to better understand what resonates with young viewers. “The cultural relatability and emotional connect with Japanese content have contributed to anime’s growing popularity among Indian children,” she said, adding that behavioral analysis of viewership trends has significantly guided programming decisions

Mr. Makoto Kimura emphasized on the growing global footprint of anime and its visible impact across countries.

Moderated by Aditya Mani, CEO of Yologram Style, an insightful breakout session titled The New Arcade: VC’s Perspective on Gaming’s New Frontier, provided an in-depth look at the exciting opportunities and innovations within India’s gaming sector. The session featured a distinguished panel of venture capitalists (VCs) who discussed key trends, challenges, and opportunities within the gaming industry. The panel included Anuj Tandon, Partner at Bitkraft Venture, Sharan Tulsiani, Founder of Jetapult, Vinay Bansal, Founder & CEO of Inflection Point Ventures, Nihansh Bhat, Corporate Development Lead at KRAFTON India, and Jeremy Lim, Principal at GFR Fund.

The panel emphasised India’s unique position as a country of storytellers. India’s rich cultural narrative tradition is increasingly being woven into interactive media. Gaming, they pointed out, is converging not only with films and digital fashion but also with mainstream media with Indian gaming studios emerging as significant contributors.

Jeremy Lim pointed out that India has a unique ability to scale bold models that have not worked elsewhere.

A key focus of the session was the role of localisation in driving success within emerging markets. While global models serve as inspiration, the panel underscored the necessity of adapting gaming experiences to local insights and consumer behaviours.

Looking ahead to 2025, the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) was underscored. AI is set to play a key role in personalising gameplay, enhancing user interaction, and driving immersive storytelling.

The breakout session on VFX provided a unique opportunity to explore the pivotal role of visual effects in modern cinema and its future in shaping storytelling. Moderated by Sh. Akhauri P. Sinha, Managing Director, Framestore India, the session featured distinguished panelists Sh. Jaykar Arudra, VFX Supervisor, DNEG; Sh. Sandeep Kamal, Independent VFX Supervisor; and Sh. Srinivas Mohan, acclaimed for his work on Baahubali and 2.0. The panelists provided insights into how VFX is revolutionizing cinematic narratives.

Sh. Jaykar Arudra stressed the importance of research and design in meeting the creative demands of VFX-intensive productions. “It’s not just about spectacle—it’s about story integrity,” he noted. He further stated, “India is poised to become a superpower in the VFX industry, and WAVES is a great initiative to take this vision forward.”

“Technology is a game-changer,” noted Sh. Srinivas Mohan. He said, “When applied wisely, it allows us to break limitations and create world-class visuals.”.

Sh. Sandeep Kamal discussed the increasing accessibility of high-quality VFX tools and how affordability is no longer a barrier to excellence. “A clear vision is what guides us in achieving both quality and deadlines,” he noted.

The breakout sessions embodied deep sentiments of optimism and collaboration, as Anime, VFX and Gaming continue to evolve as powerful cultural and commercial forces worldwide. These sectors hold unprecedented potential for India. True to the spirit of WAVES, the breakout sessions were a celebration of innovation and storytelling.

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PIB TEAM WAVES 2025 | Rajith/ Poushali/ Lumpem/Saurabh/ Darshana | 138