The Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, successfully hosted the electrifying WAM! (WAVES Anime & Manga Contest) in Delhi on 30th November, 2024. Held at Indian Institute of Mass Communication Delhi, this latest installment of WAM! drew an enthusiastic crowd and showcased the immense creative potential of India’s manga, anime, and webtoon creators.

Building on its success in Guwahati, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar and Varanasi, WAM! Delhi featured 199 participants across categories including Manga (Japanese-style comics), Webtoon (digital comics), and Anime (Japanese-style animation). The event also hosted 28 vibrant Cosplay and Voice Acting participants, bringing beloved anime and gaming characters to life.

The event was graced by Vietnamese actress, director, and producer Mai Thu Huyen, American-Vietnamese producer and actress Jacqueline Thao Nguyen,  Mr. Sushil Kumar Bhasin, President of the Media & Entertainment Association of India and Mr Kamal Pahuja, Vice President of the Media & Entertainment Association of India.

Speaking at the event, Mai Thu Huyen praised the talent emerging from India and shared her excitement for her upcoming theatrical release, A Fragile Flower. She introduced the film as a powerful story of resilience and self-discovery, blending breathtaking visuals with a profound emotional narrative.

Cosplay competition and Voice Acting contest

The highlight of the day was the highly anticipated Cosplay competition, where participants embodied their favorite anime and gaming characters with creativity and precision. The Voice Acting contest, featuring 14 skilled participants, further demonstrated India’s growing expertise in performance arts.

Adding to the excitement, the event featured an exclusive sneak peek of TRIO, India’s first anime currently under development by Vaibhavi Studios, igniting inspiration and anticipation among the audience.

The day concluded with a grand award ceremony, where winners were felicitated by Shri Anubhav Singh, OSD (BC) with charge of BC-I, II, III and NMC PA to OSD(BC) and Shri Gurmeet Singh, Executive Director, Electronics & Computer Software Export Promotion Council of India. Winners received cash prizes, pen tablets by WACOM, goodie hampers by Faber-Castell, and official merchandise of TRIO, celebrating their outstanding achievements.

WAM! is more than just a competition—it’s a movement to inspire and empower India’s creative minds. By nurturing talent and catalyzing intellectual property creation, we aim to position India as a global hub for manga, anime, and webtoons. The passion and innovation displayed here in Delhi are a testament to the bright future of India’s creator economy.

Winners of WAM! Delhi

Special Mention was made of Resham Talwar – India’s first mainstream voice actor with vision impairment.

About WAM!

As part of WAVES (World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit – https://wavesindia.org), WAM! is at the forefront of efforts to elevate India’s animation, gaming, and manga sectors. With each city, it inspires a new wave of creators, fostering innovation and celebrating the vibrant art forms that captivate audiences worldwide.

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Dharmendra Tewari/Kshitij Singha