Introduction

The WAVES Anime & Manga Contest (WAM!) is a dynamic initiative that aims to harness India’s growing enthusiasm for anime and manga by providing a platform for creators to showcase their talent. Organised by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in collaboration with the Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI), WAM! encourages artists to develop localized adaptations of popular Japanese styles, catering to both Indian and global audiences. With opportunities for publishing, distribution, and industry exposure, the contest fosters artistic expression and nurtures emerging talent. The competition will feature state-level contests across 11 cities, culminating in a grand national finale at WAVES 2025 in Mumbai.

WAM! is part of the Create in India Challenges, a flagship initiative under the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), which will take place from 1st to 4th May 2025 at Jio World Convention Centre & Jio World Gardens, Mumbai. WAVES serves as a premier forum for discussions, collaborations, and innovation in the media and entertainment industry, bringing together global stakeholders to explore new opportunities and shape the sector's future. The Create in India Challenges, central to WAVES, have seen over 70,000 registrations worldwide, empowering emerging talents with a global stage to showcase their work. With WAM!, India reinforces its position as a vibrant hub for anime and manga, bridging artistic traditions with contemporary storytelling.

Verticals and Categories

Eligibility Criteria

Events Calendar

Participation Guidelines:

• Scripts will be provided on the spot for all categories.
• Only Manga category submissions can be in physical format. All other categories require digital submissions.
• v Participants must create and submit their work within the specified timeframe and format:
• Manga (Student & Professional): 2 pages, at least 4 panels each, ink and colour (physical/digital).
• Webtoon (Student): 7 panels with ink and colour.
• Webtoon (Professional): 10 panels with ink and colour.
• Anime (Student): 10 seconds of animation based on the provided script.
• Anime (Professional): 15 seconds of animation based on the provided script.

Competition Schedule and Prizes

WAM! Cosplay Competition

The WAM! Cosplay Competition is open to individuals, including students, staff, and external participants, with no registration fees. Cosplays must be based on characters from anime, manga, gaming, or Indian comics, encouraging creativity and originality. Costumes and props should be self-made, with no restrictions on craftsmanship, but props and weapons must be non-functional and cleared during pre-event inspection. Participants must maintain decorum, with any offensive behavior leading to disqualification. Judging will be based on costume accuracy, craftsmanship, performance, creativity, audience engagement, and an interaction segment where participants may answer questions about their character or costume. Each performer will have 90 seconds for performance and 1 minute for introduction and interaction, with judges’ decisions being final. The top three cosplayers will receive cash prizes, and all participants will be awarded e-certificates.

References:

• https://wavesindia.org/challenges-2025
• v https://meai.in/wam/
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2058285

Kindly find the pdf file 

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Santosh Kumar/ Sarla Meena/ Saurabh Kalia