Team GNI
Voice Actors Kappei Yamaguchi, Hiroaki Hirata, and Immersive Experiences Ignite Fan Frenzy
MUMBAI — Mumbai Comic Con 2025, held on April 12 and 13 at the Jio World Convention Centre, transformed the city into an anime paradise, drawing thousands of fans to celebrate their love for One Piece and Kaiju No. 8. The two-day pop culture extravaganza featured rare appearances by Japanese voice actors Kappei Yamaguchi (Usopp) and Hiroaki Hirata (Sanji) from One Piece, alongside interactive Kaiju No. 8 experiences, cementing India’s status as a global anime hotspot.
The event, organized by Comic Con India and powered by Crunchyroll, saw an estimated 40,000 attendees, a 15% jump from last year, reflecting the country’s booming 53-million-strong anime fanbase. The highlight was Saturday’s One Piece panel, where Yamaguchi and Hirata shared behind-the-scenes stories about voicing the beloved Straw Hat Pirates. Fans erupted in cheers during a live dubbing session, with Hirata’s smooth delivery of Sanji’s flirtatious lines drawing laughter. “Meeting Indian fans is incredible,” Yamaguchi told the crowd. “Your passion for One Piece feels like the spirit of adventure itself.” Hirata, staying true to Sanji’s charm, added, “I’m learning Indian recipes for Nami—any suggestions, Mumbai ladies?”
Crunchyroll’s booth stole the show with a first-of-its-kind One Piece Egghead Island-style laboratory, where fans posed with futuristic props inspired by Dr. Vegapunk’s creations. The setup, complete with glowing orbs and high-tech panels, was a social media hit, with #EggheadLab trending on X alongside 200,000 mentions. Meanwhile, Kaiju No. 8 fans dove into the “Find the Core of Kaiju” game, a timed challenge where pairs hunted for hidden Kaiju cores in mystery boxes. Winners snagged exclusive Defense Force stickers, and all participants received limited-edition Kaiju No. 8 collector cards—coveted keepsakes now circulating among collectors.
The energy didn’t stop there. DJ Kazu, a Comic Con veteran, spun anime anthems at Crunchyroll’s booth twice daily, with a main-stage performance on Sunday at 5:30 PM that had fans dancing to One Piece’s iconic “We Are!” Over 5,000 attendees tested their knowledge in anime trivia showdowns, with winners bagging One Piece sticker sheets and Crunchyroll-branded bags. The GlamBOT station, where fans struck poses for cinematic slow-motion videos, added a red-carpet flair, generating thousands of shareable clips online.
India’s anime market, valued at ₹500 crore, is thriving, and events like Comic Con amplify its cultural impact. “Seeing Yamaguchi and Hirata live was unreal,” said Anjali Rao, a 20-year-old cosplayer from Pune dressed as Luffy. “And the Kaiju No. 8 game made me feel like I was in the Defense Force!” Organizers faced minor hiccups, with long queues at the Crunchyroll booth testing patience, but the mood remained jubilant. “Anime is uniting generations here,” said Dr. Kiran Desai, a pop culture scholar at Mumbai University. “Comic Con is proof of its mainstream power.”
With One Piece’s Egghead arc streaming on Crunchyroll and Kaiju No. 8: Mission Recon hitting Indian theaters on April 11, Mumbai Comic Con 2025 tapped into perfect timing, offering fans a chance to immerse themselves in their favorite worlds. As cosplayers, collectors, and newcomers mingled, the event underscored a simple truth: in India, anime’s adventure is just beginning.
Source: Comic Con India Press Release, Crunchyroll Event Updates, Interview with Jatin Varma via The Hindu, Financial Express Entertainment Desk
