India’s growing interest in anime, manga and Japanese pop culture is creating new opportunities for Japanese and Indian companies to build partnerships across the entertainment and content industries.
As part of this growing connection, “Mela! Mela! Anime Japan!!”, one of India’s major Japan-focused festivals, will take place on 3–4 October 2026 at Pacific Mall, Tagore Garden, New Delhi.
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The event will bring together fans and businesses around anime, manga, music, gaming, merchandise and Japanese culture, while creating a platform for companies from Japan and India to explore commercial opportunities.
JETRO to Organise Dedicated Business Matching
The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) New Delhi is organising dedicated business-matching sessions during the event.
The initiative is designed to connect Japanese and Indian companies looking for partnerships across multiple areas of the entertainment and content ecosystem.
Potential areas of cooperation include:
- Anime licensing
- Merchandise
- Distribution
- Broadcasting
- Gaming
- Events
- Content development
- Other entertainment and media collaborations
The business-matching programme aims to help companies identify potential partners and explore opportunities to bring Japanese and Indian content to new audiences.
Connecting Japan and India’s Content Industries
India has witnessed growing interest in Japanese anime and manga, particularly among younger audiences.
At the same time, Japanese companies are increasingly looking at India as a major market for entertainment, digital content, gaming and merchandise.
Business platforms such as this can help move the relationship beyond fandom and into commercial partnerships, licensing agreements, distribution networks and creative collaborations.
A Major Opportunity for Anime Businesses
For Japanese companies, India represents a large and rapidly developing market with significant potential for anime, gaming, merchandise and digital entertainment.
For Indian companies, partnerships with Japanese businesses can provide opportunities to access established intellectual property, creative expertise and international content networks.
The business-matching initiative therefore offers companies from both countries an opportunity to explore mutually beneficial partnerships.
Event Details
Event: Mela! Mela! Anime Japan!!
Dates: 3–4 October 2026
Venue: Pacific Mall, Tagore Garden, New Delhi
Organiser of Business Matching: JETRO New Delhi
The festival will showcase different aspects of Japanese popular culture while providing a platform for business engagement between companies from Japan and India.
Who Can Participate?
Japanese and Indian companies working in or interested in:
- Anime and manga
- Licensing and intellectual property
- Merchandise
- Broadcasting
- Distribution
- Gaming
- Events and entertainment
- Digital content
- Creative industries
are encouraged to explore participation in the business-matching programme.
Why This Matters
1. Expanding Anime in India
The initiative comes as interest in Japanese anime and manga continues to grow among Indian audiences.
2. Creating Business Partnerships
Companies can connect directly with potential Japanese and Indian business partners.
3. Supporting Content Industry Growth
Licensing, distribution, gaming and merchandising partnerships can create new commercial opportunities.
4. Strengthening Japan–India Cultural Ties
Anime and Japanese pop culture are becoming an increasingly important part of people-to-people connections between the two countries.
Final Word
“Mela! Mela! Anime Japan!!” is set to bring Japanese culture and India’s growing anime community together in New Delhi on 3–4 October 2026.
With JETRO New Delhi organising dedicated business matching, the event will go beyond entertainment by creating opportunities for Japanese and Indian companies to connect, explore partnerships and expand their presence in each other’s markets.
Japanese and Indian companies from the anime, gaming, content, licensing, merchandising, broadcasting, distribution and events industries are invited to participate and explore new business opportunities between the two countries.
