Bengaluru marked the final stop in a historic nationwide journey as the WAVES Anime & Manga Contest (WAM!) concluded its city-wise run on April 15, 2025. Having toured eleven Indian cities, including Guwahati, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Varanasi, Delhi, Mumbai, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Hyderabad, WAM! arrived in the Silicon Valley of India with unmatched energy, drawing creators, cosplayers, and storytellers from across the country.
Organised by the Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI) and supported by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, WAM! 2025 has established itself as a national platform for Indian anime, manga, webtoon, voice acting, and cosplay talent. Its goal was clear: empower the next generation of original content creators through competition, exposure, and international opportunities.
As WAM! 2025 prepares for the finale, we explore four key regional chapters: Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, highlighting India’s growing talent in anime, manga, webtoons, cosplay, and voice acting.
WAM! Ahmedabad: Gujarat’s Creative Fire Ignites
Date: March 27, 2025
Venue: Karnavati University, Ahmedabad
WAM! Ahmedabad set a high benchmark with 206 participants and 11 cosplayers, showcasing Gujarat’s vibrant creative ecosystem. Hosted at Karnavati University, the event highlighted the state’s growing influence in animation and design, with UID ensuring a seamless and inspiring experience.
Jury Panel
- Sushil Bhasin, Chairman, Bhasin Group & President, MEAI
- Ankur Bhasin, CEO, Encore Films & Secretary, MEAI
- Gurleen Singh, Animation Expert & Mentor
- Dhruv Thakkar, Founder, Gujarat Anime Club
Winners
- Manga (Student): Ameya Bhardwaj
- Manga (Professional): Palash
- Webtoon (Professional): Manan Agrawal
- Anime (Professional): Preyan Mehta, Rishika Lunia, Jaimin Raval
- Cosplay:
- Winner: Pragnesh Parmar
- First Runner-Up: Hatvi Gohel
- Second Runner-Up: Abhijit Rajvar
WAM! Ahmedabad has proven that Gujarat is a powerhouse of creative talent. We’re proud to connect these artists with industry leaders and global opportunities.”
– Col Surojit Bose, Head of Institution, UID, Karnavati University
WAM! Chennai: Southern Storytelling Shines
Date: April 5, 2025
Venue: Raj Park Hotel, Chennai
With over 90 participants from Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, WAM! Chennai celebrated the region’s rich visual storytelling heritage. The event amplified the diversity of Indian narratives, with creators blending local culture into anime, manga, and webtoons.
Jury Panel
- Sushil Bhasin, Chairman, Bhasin Group & President, MEAI
- Abhishek Prakash, Director, Content & New Media, Tick Entertainment & GIRI
- Navin Daswani, Founder, Super Audio Madras & Klay Studios
Winners
- Manga (Student): Haris Raj T
- Manga (Professional): S. Balagurumoorthi
- Anime (Student): Gnanashekar, Vikram S
- Voice Acting: Raeeza
“Chennai’s creators are weaving regional stories into global formats, proving India’s potential to lead in anime and manga.”
– Ankur Bhasin, Secretary, MEAI
WAM! Hyderabad: Telangana’s Creative Powerhouse
Date: April 12, 2025
Venue: Telangana Academy For Skill and Knowledge (TASK), Hyderabad
Organised with: Telangana VFX, Animation and Gaming Association (TVAGA)
Hyderabad’s edition was a dynamic showcase of Telangana’s fast-growing animation and gaming ecosystem. Supported by TASK and TVAGA, the event highlighted original Indian IPs, with creators pushing boundaries in anime, manga, and cosplay.
Jury Panel
- Manoj Mishra, CEO, Powerkids Entertainment
- Rajeshwari Roy, Head of Children’s Content, Ramoji Group
- Bharath Laxmipati, Chief Commercial Officer, Green Gold
- BP Acharya, IAS
- V. Satish Kumar, Dept. of Animation, JNAFAU
- Rahul Reddy, Cosplay Jury
- Chief Guest: Shrikant Sinha, CEO, TASK
Winners
- Manga (Student): Saakshi Shirali
- Manga (Professional): Vamsi Bandaru
- Anime (Professional): Premanand, Sai Charan, M. Sai Sudeep
- Cosplay:
- Winner: Satya
- First Runner-Up: Bharath
- Second Runner-Up: Tharun R
“Hyderabad has cemented its place as a creative force. WAM! is building a future where Indian stories resonate worldwide.”
– Ankur Bhasin, Secretary, MEAI
WAM! Bengaluru: The Grand Finale Ignites India’s Creative Future
Date: April 15, 2025
Venue: VVN Degree College, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru
The final regional qualifier, WAM! Bengaluru was a vibrant celebration of India’s creative diversity, with participants as young as 9 years old and creators traveling from Raipur and Chennai. The event marked the launch of the Anime Bengaluru Club, fostering a community for anime and manga enthusiasts through watch parties, reading circles, and meetups.
Jury Panel
- Veerendra Patil, Founder, Zebu Animation
- Ajay Apparoop, Head of Special Projects, Studio Illuzion
- Sushil Bhasin, Chairman & Managing Director, Bhasin Group
- Vishakh Vijayan, Toonsutra
Winners
- Manga (Student): Rohit Sharma
- Manga (Professional): Mukunda K
- Webtoon (Professional): Vishal Maravi
- Anime (Professional): Ganesh
- Cosplay:
- Winner: Puneeth V
- First Runner-Up: Prerana Bagrecha
- Second Runner-Up: Sherone D’Souza
- Voice Acting:
- Winner: Poonam Tripathi
- Runner-Up: Sherone D’Souza
“From 9-year-olds to professionals, Bengaluru’s creators showcased bold, Indian-rooted stories. This is the future of global anime and manga.”
– Ankur Bhasin, Secretary, MEAI
About WAM!
WAM! (WAVES Anime & Manga Contest) is India’s first national initiative to promote original Indian IPs in anime, manga, webtoons, cosplay, and voice acting. Organized by MEAI and supported by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, WAM! is a cornerstone of WAVES, India’s largest AVGC-XR and media industry platform.
Closing Remarks
From the eastern hills of Guwahati to the tech lanes of Bengaluru, WAM! 2025 proved that India’s anime, manga, and webtoon creators are ready for the world stage. The overwhelming response from students, professionals, and institutions signals the rise of a new wave of storytelling—born in India, inspired by its culture, and crafted for global audiences.
The WAM! National Finale at WAVES 2025 is now the most awaited stage, where the best of the best will compete to become the face of India’s next creative revolution.
Bookmark our Website to stay tuned for more updates as WAM! continues to inspire and celebrate India’s creative brilliance
