Tune into the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards on Crunchyroll’s Twitch and YouTube Channels as well as SONY PICTURES CORE; Pre-Show at 5:00 PM and Main Show at 6:00 PM JST

MUMBAI: The votes are in! Over 51 million votes have been cast from fans across the globe for the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, marking a nearly 50% increase over last year’s 34 million. Adding to the international excitement building around this year’s show, Crunchyroll is announcing an exciting lineup of music performances by Japanese singer-songwriter LiSA, hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts, as well as rock band FLOW, alongside notable presenters, including global superstar and anime collaborator J Balvin, GRAMMY award winning singer Kacey Musgraves, and screenwriter Zak Penn.

This year’s musical acts reflect the international success anime has seen over the past year. Creepy Nuts, the 2025 Anime Award-nominated hip-hop duo behind viral hits “Otonoke” and “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born”, are the opening themes for Dan Da Dan and Mashle: Magic and Muscles, respectively. FLOW, the legendary rock band featured in the openings for Naruto and Code Geass, will perform “DAYS” in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Eureka Seven.  LiSA, Spotify’s most-streamed Japanese artist overseas in 2020 and the singer of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’s “Gurenge”, will take the stage for a special performance.

The Crunchyroll Anime Awards will take place on Sunday, May 25, 2025, with the live ceremony hosted by renowned voice actress Sally Amaki and popular entertainer Jon Kabira. Beginning with the pre-show at 5:00 PM JST and main show at 6:00 PM JST, the livestream will be available for global tune-in on Crunchyroll’s Twitch and YouTube channels as well as SONY PICTURES CORE and the Sony Group Corp Global YouTube Channel. The 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards will be available in 9 languages, including English, Arabic, Brazilian-Portuguese, Castillian-Spanish, French, German, Hindi, Italian, and Latin-Spanish.

The full music performance slate and additional live ceremony and pre-show presenters are listed below, in alphabetical order:

Musical Performances by:

• Creepy Nuts—2025 Anime Award-nominated hip-hop duo behind viral hits “Otonoke” and “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born”, the opening themes for Dan Da Dan and Mashle: Magic and Muscles, respectively.
• FLOW—Rock band, performing at the Anime Awards in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Eureka Seven.
• LiSA—Japanese singer and iconic voice behind Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’s opening theme “Gurenge”

Live Ceremony and Pre-Show Presenters:

• J Balvin—GRAMMY-nominated global music superstar
• Kacey Musgraves—GRAMMY award-winning singer, songwriter, & musician
• Zak Penn—Screenwriter

The Crunchyroll Anime Awards are the leading yearly awards program honoring the creators, musicians, and performers powering the global love of anime. The ninth annual Anime Awards will take place at the Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa in Tokyo on May 25, 2025. Sony Music Solutions Inc., part of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., and Dempsey Productions will support Crunchyroll in the execution of the event. The event will be livestreamed for global audiences.

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This year’s workshop will be hosted by an incredible lineup of cosplay experts:

• Saurabh Singh Rawat (@metalbenderstudios), the Indian Cosplay Champion of 2024, is an accomplished artist and former art director with a decade of experience in the television industry. He now runs his studio, creating intricate costumes and props, and has collaborated with global brands like Ubisoft.
• Shaikh Sameer Kalim (@thereapersam_ohoo) – A dedicated cosplayer from Latur, Maharashtra, who has been crafting stunning foam-based costumes and props since 2018. A three-time Indian Cosplay Championship qualifier (2020, 2023, 2024) and PGAX 2019 winner in Chennai, Sameer has won over 17+ cosplay competitions and has worked with several renowned brands.
• wait Mestri (@rogue_ninja14) – A passionate cosplayer who enjoys bringing her favorite characters to life. While not a professional, she deeply values the creative process and the fun of cosplay.

Event Details:
Date: 16th February 2025
Time: noon onwards

Open to all and Completely free
Venue: Qala Cafe and Co-works, Baner, Pune

The workshop will be setting the stage for an unforgettable day of creativity and community ahead of Pune Comic Con 2025 (8th & 9th March)

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PUNE: Zee Cafe Anime Fan Fest is all set to captivate Pune on December 7-8 at The KOPA, Pune’s ultimate lifestyle destination, offering an exciting celebration for anime enthusiasts, cosplayers, and pop-culture fans.

Known for fostering unique subcultures and connecting communities, Zee Cafe brings this much-anticipated event after the success of its previous editions, attracting over 11,000 attendees in Mumbai and 9,000 in Bengaluru. The festival will mark Pune’s inaugural anime event, promising an immersive experience for both fans and curious enthusiasts alike. This unique festival will not only showcase fan-favourite anime elements but also encourage active participation through a diverse range of activities and performances.

The spotlight of this edition will be on cosplay. With India’s first-ever cosplay band, Daisuki, performing on December 8, the event offers a rare treat for anime lovers. Coupled with the Cosplay Competition, participants can showcase their creativity and embody their favorite anime characters for a chance to win exciting prizes. Renowned emcee Mihir Joshi will ensure the weekend is filled with unbridled energy and excitement.

Adding to the excitement are interactive experiences such as temporary tattoo artistry, merch customization zones for personalized anime memorabilia, a 360° photo-op to capture your ultimate anime look, and a vibrant Fan Wall where participants can share their passion and creativity. Fans can look forward to captivating performances and special appearances by renowned artists, including Ankur Javeri, Arth Dhomse, Koustuv Ghosh, Prakhar Gupta, and Hardfros.

Whether you are a dedicated anime enthusiast or simply curious, this festival is a non-ticketed event, completely free for everyone to join and engage in the vibrant world of anime.

Location: KOPA Mall

Date: Saturday, Sunday – December 07th and 08th

Timings: 11:00 AM onwards

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MUMBAI: Toei Animation has announced that the legendary anime series One Piece will be embarking on a hiatus following today’s release of Episode 1122. The series will return in April 2025 with fresh episodes from the Egghead arc. During the hiatus, fans can look forward to new content, including One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga, a special re-envisioned edition of the iconic arc streaming on Crunchyroll.

This special 21-episode cutdown will showcase the Fish-Man Island Arc with a fresh look and feel, bringing a contemporary visual style and new animation sequences, including opening and ending themes. The new opening theme, “We Go!” by Kitadani Hiroshi, will include a special guest collaboration to be announced soon, while the ending theme, “Sailing” (TV version) by BE: FIRST, adds an exciting new touch. Designed to capture the essence of this fan-favorite storyline in a concise format, One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga is set to captivate One Piece fans, worldwide, all over again!

Additionally, on October 20, a special 25th Anniversary Episode will premiere, honoring One Piece’s enduring legacy with a 30-minute ensemble depicting the reunion of the Straw Hat crew from the perspective of the non-pirate characters. Set in the Sabaody Archipelago after the Summit War, the story follows its protagonist, a young girl and admirer of Nami, as she sets off on a small adventure. Fans can look forward to the episode being available on Crunchyroll, too. 

One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga Official Synopsis:

The Straw Hats reunite at Sabaody! The promised day has arrived. The Straw Hats have made it back to the Sabaody Archipelago after two arduous years of separation. In the very same place where they once lost to Pacifista, the Straw Hats have proven themselves to be stronger and ready to begin their journey to the New World. With the Thousand Sunny now equipped to travel underwater, the next stop is the Fish-Man Island. “One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga” is a special edited version of the original arc from “One Piece”, in an abridged 21-episode story with an enhanced contemporary visual look. 

One Piece, based on the manga by Eiichiro Oda, follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirates to find the ultimate treasure, The One Piece, and become the Pirate King. This long-running series continues to captivate fans around the world with its unique blend of action, humor, and heartfelt storytelling.

For more information and to get ready for the festivities, visit our official One Piece show page on Crunchyroll and the official English X (formerly known as Twitter) home for One Piece.

Crediting Photo assets: © Eiichiro Oda / Shueisha, Toei Animation

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INDIA: Crunchyroll, the global anime brand serving millions of fans in more than 200 countries and territories, will add 13 new dubs, across Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, for 9 series and seasons in February 2024! Below is the list of the upcoming new dubbed anime shows.

1.  The Daily Life of the Immortal King, Season 3
   Dubs: Hindi
   When: In a batch on 4th February 2024 at 11:30 AM
   Genre:  Action, Comedy and Fantasy

Synopsis: For cultivation prodigy Wang Ling, defeating a demon king at age 6 is nothing compared to fitting in at high school. And now with supernatural threats on the rise, Wang may have to put his magic studies on hold to save the world!

2. Fire Force Season 2
   Dubs: Tamil and Telugu
   When: Weekly starting 7th February 2024 at 12 PM
   Genre:  Action, Fantasy and Supernatural

Synopsis: Tokyo is burning, and citizens are mysteriously suffering from spontaneous human combustion throughout the city! Responsible for snuffing out this inferno is the Fire Force, and Shinra is ready to join their fight. Now, as part of Company 8, he’ll use his devil’s footprints to help keep the city from turning to ash! But his past and a burning secret behind the scenes could set everything ablaze.

3. Tower of God Season 1
   Dubs: Hindi
   When: Weekly starting 8th February 2024 at 11:30 AM
   Genre:  Action, Fantasy and Adventure

Synopsis: Reach the top, and everything will be yours. At the top of the tower exists everything in this world, and all of it can be yours. You can become a god. This is the story of the beginning and the end of Rachel, the girl who climbed the tower so she could see the stars, and Bam, the boy who needed nothing but her.

4. The Ancient Magus’ Bride
   Dubs: Tamil and Telugu
   When: Weekly starting 15th February 2024 at 11 AM
   Genre:  Action, Fantasy and Romance

Synopsis: Hatori Chise has lived a life full of neglect and abuse, devoid of anything resembling love. Far from the warmth of family, she has had her share of troubles and pitfalls. Just when all hope seems lost, a fateful encounter awaits her. When a man with the head of a beast, wielding strange powers, obtains her through a slave auction, Chise’s life will never be the same again.

The man is a “magus”,a sorcerer of great power, who decides to free Chise from the bonds of captivity. The magus then makes a bold statement: Chise will become his apprentice–and his bride!

5. Assassination Classroom Season 1
   Dubs: Tamil and Telugu
   When: Weekly starting 16th February 2024 at 10:30 AM
   Genre:  Action, Sci-Fi, and Comedy

Synopsis: Forget about homework and pop quizzes. The students of Class 3E have a far more important assignment: kill their teacher before the end of the year! A tentacle-d sensei that moves at Mach 20 is out to conquer the classroom after destroying seventy percent of the moon. In addition to reading, writing, and arithmetic, the murderous monster behind the lectern will teach his students everything he knows about the assassination game. Should some eager beaver prove to be a quick study in killing, he or she will save Earth from extinction – and collect a hefty reward.

6. SPY x FAMILY Season 1
   Dubs: Tamil and Telugu
   When: In a batch on 17th February 2024 at 11 AM
   Genre:  Comedy and Drama

Synopsis: World peace is at stake and secret agent Twilight must undergo his most difficult mission yet—pretend to be a family man. Posing as a loving husband and father, he’ll infiltrate an elite school to get close to a high-profile politician. He has the perfect cover, except his wife’s a deadly assassin and neither knows each other’s identity. But someone does, his adopted daughter who’s a telepath!

7. SPY x FAMILY Season 1 Part 2
   Dubs: Hindi
   When: In a batch on 17th February 2024 at 11 AM
   Genre: Comedy and Drama

Synopsis: World peace is at stake and secret agent Twilight must undergo his most difficult mission yet—pretend to be a family man. Posing as a loving husband and father, he’ll infiltrate an elite school to get close to a high-profile politician. He has the perfect cover, except his wife’s a deadly assassin and neither knows each other’s identity. But someone does, his adopted daughter who’s a telepath!

8. SPY x FAMILY Season 2

Dubs: Tamil and Telugu
When: Weekly starting 24th February 2024 at 11 AM
Genre: Comedy and Drama

Synopsis: World peace is at stake and secret agent Twilight must undergo his most difficult mission yet—pretend to be a family man. Posing as a loving husband and father, he’ll infiltrate an elite school to get close to a high-profile politician. He has the perfect cover, except his wife’s a deadly assassin and neither knows each other’s identity. But someone does, his adopted daughter who’s a telepath!

9. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
   Dubs: Tamil and Telugu
   When: Weekly starting 21st February 2024 at 11 AM
   Genre:  Fantasy, Action and Adventure

Synopsis: Corporate worker Mikami Satoru is stabbed by a random killer, and is reborn to an alternate world. But he turns out to be reborn a slime! Thrown into this new world with the name Rimuru, he begins his quest to create a world that’s welcoming to all races.

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AVAF has partnered with the Government of India (Ministry of Information & Broadcasting) and the world’s most prominent Annecy International Animation Festival to bring the world to India and take Indian AVGC-XR to the world. The festival will provide an unprecedented opportunity for Indian creators, emerging talent, and professionals in Animation, Gaming, VFX, Comics, and XR (AVGC-XR) to showcase their talent and network with industry experts.

AniMela will feature film screenings, gaming experiential zones, comic book/graphic novel creators, knowledge-sharing and mentoring sessions, immersive experience zones, and networking opportunities. The festival is organizing a 4-day workshop for promising talent mentored by internationally renowned industry veterans and experts from Annecy Festival– MIFA (among the world’s most prominent marketplaces for AVGC, France) where AVAF will support 5 animation projects (feature, shorts, or series) to be pitched globally to top producers, platforms & collaborators.

AniMela is India’s gateway to revolutionizing the AVGC-XR narrative, elevating the industry to its deserved recognition internationally. The festival stands on four pillars: Film Festival, Experiential Zone, Knowledge-sharing and Mentoring, and Networking. The festival will provide several opportunities through networking lunches and dinners with international guests (studios, distributors, buyers) from Canada, France, Spain, the UK, Australia, Turkey, and Japan, amongst others.

Kireet Khurana, Festival Director of AniMela, said, “India is making content at par with international standards, but lacks a narrative as a Creator of world-class content. With AniMela, we intend to align with our Government’s thrust of Create-In-India and build a platform of international pedigree to exhibit excellent films, games, and other forms of visual arts created by Indian independent talent and studios to a larger audience and promote them internationally.“

Neha Jain, Executive Director at AniMela, mentioned, “Most audiences in India perceive animation as children’s content, there is no understanding of adult animation. Similarly, there is very limited knowledge about the possibilities around VFX, Gaming, and XR. With AniMela, we seek to break away from these restrictive perceptions and create more awareness and interest around the industry.“

Anne Doshi, Artistic Director at AniMela, added, “In the AVGC industry, the creators are the stars, and the artists are given their due. And AniMela will reflect this by highlighting their talent and supporting them in their journeys. The festival will empower Indian talents and aspirants to engage in a cross-cultural exchange of ideas, explore beyond their horizons, and help nurture the growth of this community. It intends to fill the gaps via training and mentoring and propel India’s international presence in the global AVGC landscape.“

Registrations for AniMela will open soon on Paytm Insider (insider.in). Besides the I&B Ministry, GOI, and Annecy Festival (France), AniMela is also supported by multiple organizations like the French Institute in India, Media & Entertainment Skills Council, Assemblage Entertainment, Frameboxx, Wayu Digital, Indie Comix Fest, Whistling Woods International, Hi-Tech Animation, Animatzione Animation Academy, Tulsea, School of Visual Arts (USA), and Rubika School. Moreover, AniMela will be available on Heftyverse, Hungama Digital’s metaverse platform from January 19-21, 2024. AniMela will travel to the remote parts of the country through this platform.

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The  FIRST SLAM DUNK, tells the thrilling journey of Hanamichi Sakuragi, a troubled young boy devastated after the death of his elder sibling, who gets a second shot at life when his love for basketball is reignited. Will Hanamichi embrace this second chance? Will he get over the death of his elder brother? Will the underdogs of Shohoku High defeat the champion giants of Sannoh School? ‘The First Slam Dunk’ is a classic David versus Goliath fable that keeps audiences on the edge right till the end.

With stunning visuals, heartfelt emotions, and inspiring themes, it is tailor-made to be enjoyed by audiences on a big screen

Whether you’re an anime enthusiast or basketball enthusiast or simply a lover of world cinema; ‘The First Slam Dunk’ assures to be an enthralling cinematic experience that appeals to a wide range of viewers.

 Don’t miss the release of ‘The First Slam Dunk’ in cinemas from 7th July 2023.

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CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA: Crunchyroll Games, the interactive division of the global leader in anime, has launched The Eminence in Shadow: Master of Garden on Windows PC, letting an all-new audience experience the anime RPG based on the hit-light novel and anime, The Eminence in Shadow. Across three platforms, players can dive into the Seven Shadow Chronicles for game-exclusive official story content, build the ideal team and take on the Cult of Diablos. The game is downloadable worldwide on the Official Website and features cross-platform play and progression with Apple Store and Google Play. (*) The game will be available to Indian fans of anime.

Alongside the PC Launch of The Eminence in Shadow: Master of Garden, the anime RPG will celebrate six months of mastermind players battling wicked cults in the shadows. All-new characters and rewards are available right now! 

• Fashionable and Fatale, Fan-favorite characters Alpha and Gamma are joining the fight sporting an all-new look—Chinese dresses.

• Bolster your team! Each player gets 6000 free Phantasm Gems, which can be used to pull up to 20 characters.

• Experience bonuses for new and returning players! Level up long-time party members or get newcomers up to speed faster than ever.

Game Details:

Title:                The Eminence in Shadow: Master of Garden

Publisher:      Crunchyroll Games

Developer:    Aiming

Genre:            Japanese RPG

Platforms:     Mobile iOS, Android, Windows PC

Price:              Free (In-App Purchases)

The Eminence in Shadow Series Synopsis

“My name is Shadow. I lurk in the shadow, and hunt the shadow…”

A boy gets reincarnated as the noble house scion Cid Kagenou in a new world. He is neither a protagonist nor a last boss. He hides his powers to blend in with the mob and manipulates the narrative from the shadows. As the self-proclaimed “The eminence in the shadow”, Cid and his secret organization, “Shadow Garden,” work behind the scenes to defeat the dark Cult of Diabolos, which he totally made up. But it turns out that the cult actually exists…!

It’s a triple combo of the strongest hero, an excessive case of eighth-grader syndrome, and a seriocomedy of misunderstanding!

The Eminence in Shadow started as a web novel by Daisuke Aizawa and has gained popularity as a novel currently being published by the Enterbrain brand of KADOKAWA.

(*) The Eminence in Shadow: Master of Garden is available worldwide ex East Asia, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

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In recent times, the influence of anime has extended beyond entertainment, permeating various aspects of Japanese culture. The rise of Anime in India has been greatly influenced by the cross-cultural interactions between Japan and India, where Indian film enthusiasts draw many similarities from their own culture. This has paved the way for emotionally charged movies like “Suzume” crossing record-breaking marks at the Box Office.

Director General of Japan Foundation New Delhi, Mr. Koji Sato, remarked “We are very happy to hear that many Indian people enjoyed the beautiful masterpiece ”Suzume”.

Commenting on the film achieving 10 Cr Box Office, Kamal Gianchandani, CEO – of PVRINOX Pictures said, “We at PVRINOX Pictures are excited to bring this fascinating world of Anime to our enthusiastic movie buffs. The Indian Otakus have welcomed this distinctive storytelling method, colorful graphics, and cultural intricacies portrayed in anime, fostering a greater appreciation and understanding of Japanese culture. We look forward to showcasing more of such exemplary work in the upcoming times.”

With its distinct storytelling techniques, vibrant animation, and compelling characters, people of all age brackets are now drawn into the artistic and emotionally titillating world of Anime. Films like ‘Suzume’ have inspired our Indian moviegoers to partake in viewing more varied genres and opening their minds to exploring new-age cinema.

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The following acclaimed films will feature in the Shinkai Festival:

Your Name: An unforgettable story of connection and fate unfolds in the captivating anime “Your Name” by two strangers named Mitsuha and Taki who mysteriously switch bodies and set out to find each other across time and space, woven together by romance, fantasy, and stunning animation.

Weathering With You: The captivating anime “Weathering With You” explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the tenacity of the human spirit while delving into the enchanted tie between Hodaka and Hina, where she appears to be able to manipulate the weather, in a world of magical connections.

Children Who Chase Lost Voices: A coming-of-age, captivating tale with adolescent love and a young heroine drawn into a secret realm by a mysterious melody emanating from a crystal radio left as a keepsake by her absent father.

5 Centimeters Per Second: We trace the journey of a young guy named Takaki through his life in three interconnected segments as harsh winters, cold technology, and finally adult responsibilities and commitments converge to test the delicate petals of love.

Suzume: The visually striking animated drama “Suzume” centers on a 17-year-old high school girl who joins an enigmatic young man on a fantastical journey. What occurs following forms the core of the thrilling journey after they are tasked with closing and sealing inter-dimensional gateways that may wipe out the entire planet.

India has seen an astounding rise in anime’s popularity and adoration. With its distinctive storytelling methods and visually stunning creativity, this Japanese animation style has won over Indian audiences of all ages. PVRINOX Pictures is at the forefront of celebrating this scintillating genre.

Commenting on the much anticipated Shinkai Festival, Kamal Gianchandani, CEO – of PVRINOX Pictures said, “India’s evolving relationship with Anime showcases the power of cross-cultural exchange, as it continues to captivate and inspire a new generation of viewers in the country. We are thrilled to showcase and pay homage to one of the most brilliant Anime directors and his beloved films. We look forward to celebrating this beloved genre and catering to the ever-enthused moviegoers with unforgettable moments on the big screen.”

Mark your calendars and stay tuned to enter the enchanting world of Makoto Shinkai and the magic of Anime at the Shinkai Festival, this May.

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