Thousands of anime fans packed the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai on May 9 and 10, 2026, as Crunchyroll delivered its biggest anime event in India to date. The two-day convention turned into a celebration of Japanese pop culture, featuring exclusive panels, live concerts, and interactive fan experiences.
Crunchyroll, the global anime streaming platform, organized an extensive booth with activities ranging from live dubbing workshops to themed photo zones. The event marked a significant moment for Indian anime fans, who rarely get the chance to meet the voices behind their favorite characters in person.
Solo Leveling Stars Meet Indian Fans On Stage
The biggest crowd puller was the Solo Leveling panel featuring Taito Ban, the Japanese voice actor for Sung Jinwoo, alongside Atsushi Kaneko, the animation producer from A-1 Pictures. Rajesh Shukla, who voices Sung Jinwoo in the Hindi dub, also joined them on stage.
The panel gave fans a rare behind-the-scenes look at how the hit anime series was made. Ban and Kaneko shared stories about the production process and the challenges of bringing the popular manhwa character to life. The session ended with a live dubbing performance that had the crowd on their feet.
“Okiro” (Arise) — Taito Ban delivered Sung Jinwoo’s famous catchphrase live on stage, sending the audience into a frenzy.
Fans who attended the panel described it as an unforgettable experience. Vijay Vikram Singh hosted the session, guiding the conversation between the Japanese guests and the Indian audience.
One Piece Singer Turns Convention Into Concert
Hiroshi Kitadani, the legendary singer behind the iconic One Piece opening theme “We Are!”, performed live on May 9. This marked his first visit to India, and he made sure to give fans a show they would never forget.
Kitadani performed a five-song set that included “Over the Top,” “We Go!,” and “UUUUUS!” He ended the performance with “We Are!,” turning the venue into a massive singalong session. The energy inside the hall showed how deeply One Piece music connects with Indian audiences.
Before the event, Kitadani shared his excitement about visiting India for the first time.
“I believe anime songs are the ultimate power that connects hearts all around the world. This will be my first time in India. I can’t wait to sing, laugh, and share an exciting time together with everyone in Mumbai Comic Con,” Kitadani said.
Fans Get Chance To Voice Their Favorite Characters
Crunchyroll set up a live dubbing booth where attendees could record their voices for scenes from popular shows. Fans could choose from Solo Leveling, Sentenced to Be a Hero, or Fire Force. Professional voice actors guided participants through the process, giving them a taste of what it takes to dub an anime.
The booth also featured exclusive giveaways, including Solo Leveling posters, My Hero Academia postcards, Suzume magnets, and Crunchyroll tote bags. Powerpass holders received additional items like sticker sheets, button buddies, and mobile stands.
Cosplayers Bring Anime Worlds To Life
Hundreds of cosplayers turned the convention floor into a living anime universe. Attendees spotted characters like Luffy from One Piece, Naruto Uzumaki, Gojo Satoru from Jujutsu Kaisen, and Sung Jinwoo from Solo Leveling walking around the venue.
Group cosplays inspired by Naruto, One Piece, and Elden Ring gathered crowds for photos. One attendee dressed as Godfrey from Elden Ring became one of the most photographed looks of the weekend.
DJ Kazu Keeps Energy High Across Both Days
DJ Kazu, a well-known Japanese DJ specializing in anime music and J-Pop, returned to Mumbai Comic Con for the third year. He performed across both days, mixing EDM tracks with fan-favorite anime songs. His sets kept the Crunchyroll booth crowded with fans dancing and singing along.
Interactive Zones Let Fans Step Into Anime Worlds
Crunchyroll created several themed photo zones for attendees. The Suzume door installation let fans recreate scenes from the hit movie. A One Piece Grand Line photo zone gave Straw Hat Crew fans a chance to capture their own adventure moments.
Other experiences at the convention included the Bandai Namco Experience Zone, the One Piece Experience Zone, and the Cartoon Network Kian and Kiki Experience Zone. The Maruti Suzuki Arena and NODWIN Gaming Arena also drew large crowds with gaming competitions and interactive displays.
Taito Ban Talks About Voicing Sung Jinwoo
In an exclusive conversation at the event, Taito Ban opened up about what he learned from playing Sung Jinwoo. The character starts as the weakest E-Rank hunter before rising to become the powerful Shadow Monarch.
Ban shared that his takeaway from the character was understanding the need to push beyond normal limits when facing stronger opponents. He also mentioned that while the “system” gives Jinwoo powers, the show highlights the strength the character always had inside him.
After the event, Ban posted on social media thanking Indian fans for their warmth and support during his first visit to the country.
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Mumbai Comic Con Continues To Grow
Mumbai Comic Con 2026 proved once again that anime culture in India is growing at an incredible pace. Long queues formed outside the venue before doors opened each morning. Fans traveled from different parts of Maharashtra and other states to attend the event.
The convention also featured panels with international comic artists, gaming tournaments, and a dedicated cosplay competition. The Indian Championship of Cosplay 2026 Qualifiers gave winners a chance to take home INR 50,000.
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