Celebrating India's Growing Passion for Animation and Comics With Anime and Manga Contest
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, in collaboration with the Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI), has announced the launch of the WAVES Anime & Manga Contest (WAM!). This exciting initiative aims to tap into India’s growing passion for anime and manga, providing a platform for artists to display their creative prowess.
WAM! encourages creators to craft localized adaptations of popular Japanese styles, catering to both domestic and international audiences. Participants will have the chance to gain industry exposure, with opportunities for publishing and distribution. The contest will unfold through state-level competitions across 11 cities, culminating in a grand national finale at WAVES 2025 in Mumbai.
WAM! is part of the broader Create in India Challenges, a flagship initiative of the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES). WAVES 2025 is scheduled from May 1st to 4th at the Jio World Convention Centre & Jio World Gardens in Mumbai. The summit will gather industry leaders from around the globe to discuss innovations and growth prospects in media and entertainment.
With over 70,000 registrations already recorded for the Create in India Challenges, WAM! promises to spotlight India’s vibrant anime and manga community while fostering artistic exchanges between Indian and international creators. This contest not only celebrates artistic expression but also positions India as a key player in the global entertainment landscape.
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Eligibility Criteria
Events Calendar
Participation Guidelines:
All competitions will be held offline; participants must attend in person.
Registration opens at 9:00 AM, followed by a debriefing at 9:30 AM.
The competition will take place from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Cosplay competitions and other performances will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on the same day.
The WAM! Finale will be held at the WAVES summit from May 1 to 4, 2025, at Jio World Convention Centre & Jio World Gardens, Mumbai.
Winners will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Anime Japan and other international events, supported by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
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.
What is WAM?
WAM! provides Indian creators with a distinctive chance to create localized adaptations of popular Japanese art styles, appealing to audiences both in India and abroad. With significant marketing support and opportunities for international recognition, the contest seeks to create a robust platform for creative expression in manga and anime.
What is MEAI?
The Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI) is a nationwide organization committed to promoting the media and entertainment sector. With a membership exceeding 3,300, including media giants, animation studios, VFX companies, VOD and OTT platforms, gaming firms, journalistic entities, and educational institutions, MEAI is instrumental in shaping the industry's future. The association hosts various B2B and B2C events and delegations, often collaborating with governmental and non-governmental organizations. Furthermore, MEAI provides advisory services to state and central government bodies, leveraging its expertise to influence policies and strategies that foster industry growth.
