ITV

Category: Animation

  • Reliance Animation and dubbing platform Rian ink MoU to bridge language gaps in entertainment

    Reliance Animation and dubbing platform Rian ink MoU to bridge language gaps in entertainment

    MUMBAI: Reliance Animation, one of India’s leading animation studios, has struck a global alliance with Rian, an AI-human multilingual dubbing and localisation platform, in a deal that could reshape the way stories travel across borders.

    The partnership brings together Reliance’s strength in creating original, culturally rooted content and Rian’s cutting-edge language technology. The tie-up promises to take Indian characters—such as Reliance’s popular Little Singham—to overseas markets while bringing international titles into India with linguistic and cultural precision.

    ““This is more than a partnership, it’s a cultural gateway,” said Anand Shiralkar, founder and chief executive of Rian. “ With Reliance Animation’s storytelling legacy and Rian’s multilingual dubbing capabilities, Indian IPs can now reach audiences in every corner of the globe, while international creators can instantly connect with Reliance’s massive 6 million strong viewer base in India. Together, we’re making stories travel further, faster, and more authentically than ever before.”

    Tejonidhi Bhandare, chief executive of Reliance Animation, said the venture would expand the reach of its “world-class content with an Indian soul”. He added, “ This is a win for creators, a win for audiences, and a bold step for the industry. ”

    The firms frame the alliance as more than a business play. By marrying storytelling with technology, they hope to foster a freer, more authentic flow of content between India and the world, laying the foundations for the next decade of global entertainment exchange.

  • Omens Studios’ preschool heroes go global with fresh content deals

    Omens Studios’ preschool heroes go global with fresh content deals

    MUMBAI: Omens Studios is on a wild roll. The Singapore-headquartered animation outfit has locked in a raft of international deals for its preschool powerhouses Leo the Wildlife Ranger, Counting with Paula, and Paula & Pals, bringing the adventures of the trio to more screens — and hearts — worldwide.

    beIN Media Group has snapped up media rights for Leo the Wildlife Ranger season 3 (80 x 7’), Paula & Pals season 2 (65 x 7’), and Counting with Paula seasons 5 to 7 (a total of 100 x 11’) across the Middle East and North Africa. Meanwhile, AMC Networks will beam seasons 2 and 3 of Leo to European audiences via its preschool channel Jim Jam, and Brazil’s Globo has pounced on season 3 while renewing seasons 1 and 2.

    That’s no exaggeration. Leo the Wildlife Ranger has racked up billions of views on YouTube, hundreds of thousands of mobile game downloads, and even made the leap to the metaverse with a new Roblox simulator experience.

    Omens Studios CEO Chi Sim Tang said, “We’re delighted to welcome our new premium broadcast partners on board, and excited that Leo the Wildlife Ranger, Counting with Paula and Paula & Pals are all finding and connecting with new global audiences, over broadcast and in a range of different ways.”

    Commissioned by Mediacorp, Leo the Wildlife Ranger now airs in over 50 territories and has scored top honours including Best Children’s Programme at the 2024 Asian Television Awards and a Silver Telly Award. The show blends zoology, teamwork and environmental awareness into bite-sized edutainment for the 3–7 age group.

    Newer spin-off Paula & Pals (68 x 7’) — also from the Mediacorp stable — takes a gentler turn, focusing on mental wellbeing and emotional development for the 3–6 set. Meanwhile, the long-running Counting with Paula has notched up seven seasons (384 x 11’) and continues to make maths marvellous for the youngest learners.

    With strong storytelling, screen appeal and a finger on the pulse of kids’ content trends, Omens Studios is proving that preschool programming doesn’t just educate — it travels, too.

  • ‘Solo Leveling’ dominates Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025 with record 51 million global votes

    ‘Solo Leveling’ dominates Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025 with record 51 million global votes

    MUMBAI: The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025 closed on a thunderous note in Tokyo, as Solo Leveling bagged Anime of the Year amid a record-breaking 51 million votes from fans across the globe. Held at the Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa, the event marked the ninth edition of anime’s biggest global celebration, honouring the studios, creators, and performers driving the genre’s cultural dominance.

    Voice actress Sally Amaki and TV personality Jon Kabira returned to host the show for the third consecutive year, setting the tone for an evening filled with fanfare and fervour. Global icons like Kacey Musgraves, Finn Wolfhard, J Balvin, Chloe Kim, and Rina Sawayama presented awards across 30+ categories, joined by anime royalty including Kanata Hongo, Dean Fujioka, and Mayu Matsuoka.

    Attack on Titan was conferred the first-ever Global Impact Award, recognising the anime’s decade-long influence on storytelling and fandom. Director Yuichiro Hayashi of MAPPA accepted the honour on behalf of the entire creative team.

    Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini said, “Fans form deep emotional connections to anime. These are not just series, films or songs, but rather works of art that help define the identity of anime fans. With an incredible 51 million votes this year, the 2025 Anime Awards are celebrating the creators in Japan who have captured the hearts of fans and are powering anime’s prominence in global pop culture”.

    Live performances electrified the show. Creepy Nuts delivered the viral opening theme ‘Bling-Bang-Bang-Born’ from Mashle: Magic and Muscles and ‘Otonoke’ from Dan Da Dan. Rock icons Flow performed ‘Days’ for Eureka Seven’s 20 anniversary. Lisa lit up the stage with fan favourites from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.

    Winners included:

    ●    Anime of the Year: Solo Leveling

    ●    Film of the Year: Look Back

    ●    Best Continuing Series: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc

    ●    Best Director: Keiichiro Saito (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End)

    ●    Best Main Character: Sung Jinwoo (Solo Leveling)

    ●    Best Japanese Voice Artist: Aoi Yuki (Maomao – The Apothecary Diaries)

    ●    Best Hindi Voice Artist: Lohit Sharma (Satoru Gojo – Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2)

    Notably, countries like Canada and Chile broke into the top 10 voting nations for the first time, alongside India, Brazil, and the U.S. Crunchyroll will make the full show available as video-on-demand across Youtube, Twitch, Sony Pictures Core, and Sony Group Corp’s global platforms.

    Sony Music Solutions Inc. and Dempsey Productions co-produced the show.

  • Shefali Johnson named CEO as Comic Con India enters bold new phase

    Shefali Johnson named CEO as Comic Con India enters bold new phase

    MUMBAI: Comic Con India, the country’s iconic pop culture celebration, is set for a dynamic new chapter as Shefali Johnson is appointed CEO, following a landmark year of expansion under Nodwin Gaming’s ownership.

    Johnson steps into the role as founder Jatin Varma, along with co-founder Karan Kalra and event director Sonal Varma, transition into advisory positions. The trio, who have nurtured the Comic Con legacy since its inception in 2011, will continue to provide creative direction and support the brand’s long-term vision.

    With Comic Con India now present in eight cities including recent additions Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Pune and having delivered its biggest season to date, the focus now shifts to scaling innovation, inclusivity, and immersive fan experiences.

    “Johnson brings the perfect blend of vision, experience, and drive to take our labour of love to greater scale,” said Jatin, reflecting on his journey. “We look forward to supporting her and the team in an advisory capacity as they shape the future of fandom in India across cities.”

    As a senior leader at Nodwin Gaming, Johnson has been instrumental in spearheading flagship IPs like Dreamhack India, BGMS, and the Cosplay Championships. Her appointment as CEO marks a strategic move to deepen fan engagement and expand Comic Con’s cultural footprint.

    “Stepping into this role is both a privilege and a responsibility,” said Johnson. “We plan to grow this platform into newer cities, introduce newer formats, and create experiences that are more inclusive, dynamic, and reflective of India’s evolving pop culture identity.”

    Nodwin Gaming co-founder & managing director Akshat Rathee said, “With Johnson at the helm, we’re looking forward to building on everything we’ve created so far expanding our reach, deepening fan engagement, and continuing to celebrate the communities that make Comic Con what it is.”

    Since its debut in 2011, Comic Con India has grown into the country’s definitive pop culture festival uniting fans of comics, cosplay, gaming, anime, and beyond. 

  • S8ul takes the Apex plunge with elite Aussie trio for EWC 2025 showdown

    S8ul takes the Apex plunge with elite Aussie trio for EWC 2025 showdown

    MUMBAI: In a move bolder than a last-circle push in Apex Legends, S8ul has dropped a bombshell—entering the arena shooter scene with a bang, not a whimper. The Indian esports juggernaut has gone global with the signing of a full-throttle, all-Australian Apex Legends roster ahead of the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025. With this, S8ul doesn’t just join the game—it flips the meta.

    The roster comprises tournament slayers Rick ‘Sharky’ Wirth, Benjamin ‘Jesko’ Spaseski, and Tom ‘Legacy’ Canty—names that are less team, more tactical weaponry. Backing them up is coach Harrison ‘Rogers’ Rogers, ready to turn strats into headlines.

    “We’re incredibly excited to take this next step into Apex Legends with a world-class team,” said S8ul co-founder & CEO Animesh Agarwal, aka 8Bit Thug. “Sharky, Jesko, Legacy, and coach Rogers bring a level of experience and talent that aligns perfectly with our vision for global esports dominance.”

    Let’s talk kill stats. Sharky is Apex royalty. He bagged the 2022 ALGS Championship with DarkZero Esports, pocketing $500,000 (approx. Rs 4.3 crore). With over $320,000 (Rs 2.7 crore) in personal winnings, the man’s resume reads like a cheat sheet. He recently stormed the EWC 2024 with Team Burger—because even legends need carbs.

    Jesko and Legacy? Another dynamic duo. With stints under London’s Guild Esports and a top-10 EWC 2024 finish, they’ve racked up $150,000 (Rs 1.2 crore) in prize money and bring serious firepower and synergy to S8ul’s new look.

    “This isn’t just about one event—it’s about building something long-term,” said Rogers. “S8ul’s legacy in esports speaks for itself, and we’re proud to be part of that journey.”

    The roster reveal follows S8ul’s recent EWC announcements for EAFC 25, Chess, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Tekken 8.

    The message?

    S8ul isn’t here for participation medals. It’s gunning for trophies, clout, and the leaderboard’s top shelf.

    Already a beast in mobile gaming and content creation, S8ul’s Apex debut marks a power play into PC esports—on a global scale. The team’s first test comes at EWC 2025, and if history’s any indication, Sharky and friends don’t choke.

  • Comic Con India bids farewell to its founding superheroes in style

    Comic Con India bids farewell to its founding superheroes in style

    MUMBAI: A founder exits, but the fandom marches on

    The capes are coming off—but not before a final bow. In a major leadership shakeup, Comic Con India announced that founder Jatin Varma, along with co-founder Karan Kalra and event director Sonal Varma, are stepping away from their day-to-day roles at the helm of India’s beloved pop culture carnival.

    Announced on 10 April 2025, the move marks the end of an era that began in 2011 with a dream to bring cosplay, comics, and chaos to the masses. But fans, fret not—this isn’t a full-throttle exit. The OG team will continue in an advisory and strategic capacity, lending their nerdy wisdom as the brand evolves under new leadership.

    The changing of the guard comes on the heels of Nodwin Gaming’s acquisition of Comic Con India in January 2024, pegged at a neat Rs 55 crore.

    And what a power-up it’s been.

    Since then, the event has gone from geeky niche to national juggernaut—adding Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Pune to its roster alongside legacy cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

    What started as a scrappy fandom gathering in 2011 has morphed into India’s largest pop culture festival, drawing over 200,000 fans and clocking a jaw-dropping 330 million in digital reach. Jatin and his team didn’t just build a convention; they built a community. A multiverse of creators, cosplayers, fans, and fandoms stitched together with passion, panel discussions, and Deadpool sightings.

    “Their passion for storytelling, comics, gaming, and cosplay built a platform that connected creators and fans alike,” the company noted, in a tribute that hits right in the feels.

    As Nodwin prepares to roll out a new core team, expectations are sky-high. The mission? Keep the soul of Comic Con intact while dialling up the digital, the dazzle, and the drama for India’s next-gen pop culture brigade.

    An official update on the next phase of leadership is expected soon.

    So long, Jatin and crew. Thanks for the panels, the Pikachus, and the passion. The fandom salutes you.

  • Mumbai Comic Con 2025 becomes hotspot for next-gen brand engagement

    Mumbai Comic Con 2025 becomes hotspot for next-gen brand engagement

    MUMBAI: The Maruti Suzuki Arena Mumbai Comic Con powered by Crunchyroll is all set to wrap up Comic Con India’s 2025 calendar with a spectacular finale doubling down as not just a fan haven, but a magnet for brand activations aimed at India’s fast-evolving youth economy.

    Far beyond cosplay and comic book revelry, Mumbai Comic Con has become a high-energy arena where brands meet fans through immersive experiences, tech-forward showcases, and culturally-tuned content drops. From global entertainment giants like Warner Bros., Disney, Crunchyroll, and Bandai Namco, to tech brands like Lenovo and Logitech, the event is brimming with innovation.

    Automotive brands like Maruti Suzuki Arena and Yamaha Racing have built interactive, speed-inspired installations, while publishers like Penguin Random House India and Disney Licensing are leveraging the space to showcase collectables and fandom favourites.

    A standout activation this year is by Royal Challenge Packaged Drinking Water, the official hydration partner. Their Cricket Gaming Zone at the Nodwin Gaming Arena offers fans a hybrid experience of mobile, console, and VR cricket perfectly aligned with India’s cricket fever.

    Comic Con Mumbai 2025 also premieres the Indie Game Utsav, spotlighting India’s homegrown game development talent, alongside It’s A Girl Thing a zone dedicated to diversity, self-expression, and community empowerment.

    As the final chapter of this year’s Comic Con India journey, Mumbai is proving to be more than a fan event it’s where pop culture meets purpose, and brands truly plug in to the pulse of young India.

  • Crunchyroll’s 2025 anime awards go Global with big names and bold nominations

    Crunchyroll’s 2025 anime awards go Global with big names and bold nominations

    MUMBAI: Crunchyroll, has announced the nominees for the highly anticipated 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, the ninth annual edition of the world’s biggest celebration of Japanese animation. Fans across the globe can cast their votes daily through April 14 via the official Anime Awards website, helping decide this year’s winners across a broad spectrum of categories.

    This year’s Anime of the Year contenders include Dan Da Dan, Delicious in Dungeon, Frieren, Beyond Journey’s End, Kaiju No. 8, Solo Leveling, and The Apothecary Diaries.

    Adding star power to the celebration, Crunchyroll has also revealed the first wave of celebrity presenters set to appear at the live event in Tokyo on Sunday, May 25. Among the first announced Stranger Things stars Finn Wolfhard and Gaten Matarazzo, joined by international talents such as Damiano David (Måneskin), Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim, Japanese pop culture stars, Vtubers, drag icons, and Youtubers like Gigguk.

    Additional confirmed presenters include,

    The star-studded presenter line-up for the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards features an exciting mix of global talent, including Japanese comedy duo Chocolate Planet, renowned actor and musician Dean Fujioka, and popular Japanese actors Kanata Hongo, Mayu Matsuoka, and Saya Ichikawa. Joining them are international stars such as Brazilian pop icon Pabllo Vittar, English professional boxer Ben Whittaker, Vtuber sensation Ironmouse, American singer-songwriter d4vd, British-Japanese artist Rina Sawayama, globally recognised drag star Plastique Tiara, and American-Chilean singer Paloma Mami.

    Sony group corporation president & CEO Hiroki Totoki will deliver the opening remarks at the live ceremony, hosted by voice actress Sally Amaki and popular entertainer Jon Kabira.

    “The Crunchyroll Anime Awards are one of the most important times of year for fans because we hear directly from them on what anime they love and get to honour the creative community behind that love,” said Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini.

    “Anime continues to deeply resonate emotionally with fans, and anime’s biggest night of the year is sure to invoke a lot of joy and pride amongst the anime community fans and creators alike. This year’s nominees represent more than 50 series and films developed by more than 35 talented studios.”

    To celebrate the awards, a selection of nominated titles is now available to stream for free on Crunchyroll. The Crunchyroll Store is also offering special discounts on related manga, merchandise, and collectibles.

    New this year, fans can cast votes directly via the Crunchyroll mobile app, with a convenient 1-click resubmit option. Voting closes on April 14 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time, and winners will be announced during the live ceremony and global livestream.

    The full list of nominees includes favourites across action, drama, romance, isekai, animation, character design, and performance categories, including several nods to Dan Da Dan, Solo Leveling, and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. Voice artist categories span multiple languages, including Japanese, English, Hindi, Arabic, French, and more highlighting anime’s truly global impact.

    The 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards will be held at the Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa in Tokyo, in collaboration with Sony Music Solutions Inc. and Dempsey Productions. 

  • Song vs Dance debuts with a bang on TV Asahi, sparks viral frenz

    Song vs Dance debuts with a bang on TV Asahi, sparks viral frenz

    MUMBAI: TV Asahi’s talent competition, Song vs Dance, has made a spectacular debut, drawing massive viewership and igniting social media buzz. Premiering on 28 March at 11:15 pm on Channel 5, the high-energy variety show has captivated audiences with its electrifying format.

    A co-production between TV Asahi and Smart Dog Media, Song vs Dance redefines entertainment with its action-packed battles between top-tier singers and dancers. The show achieved a 3.5 per cent rating and a 15.9 per cent audience share, making it the second most-watched programme in its time slot across Japan’s six terrestrial channels. It also emerged as the highest-rated artist performance music show of 2025, proving its dominance in the genre.

    Beyond TV, Song vs Dance has taken social media by storm. Clips from the show have amassed over 136 million Tiktok impressions, gained 10,000+ new followers, and racked up 7.2 million views on a single video. The buzz propelled the show to fifth place on Yahoo’s SNS trends and third in Android search rankings, highlighting its widespread appeal across generations.

    With such a phenomenal response, TV Asahi is set to roll out more exciting episodes to settle the ultimate debate—are you team song or team dance?

    TV Asahi stated, “We are delighted to announce a historic milestone in the realm of TV Asahi variety shows. In this unprecedented move, we have embarked on a cross-border project that brought together both US and Japan teams to collaboratively create an entirely new and innovative format. This bold initiative has successfully redefined entertainment, and we are honoured to have achieved this groundbreaking accomplishment.”

    Produced by Craig Plestis and Clara Plestis of Smart Dog Media, alongside TV Asahi’s Takaaki Kitano, Song vs Dance marks TV Asahi’s first co-production with a U.S.-based production company.
     

  • Mattel and DC reunite in toy partnership as superheroes find new home

    Mattel and DC reunite in toy partnership as superheroes find new home

    MUMBAI: In what industry insiders are calling a “plastic fantastic reunion,” Mattel, Inc. and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products have announced a global licensing agreement that will see Batman and friends return to their former toy maker starting in late 2026.

    The multi-year deal grants Mattel rights to produce action figures, playsets and collectibles based on DC’s entire roster of spandex-clad do-gooders and cackling villains. This means everything from Batman’s brooding silhouette to The Joker’s maniacal grin will soon grace toy shelves worldwide.

    Nick Karamanos of Mattel declared it “an incredibly proud milestone” to welcome DC back to the fold, whilst carefully avoiding mention of the years DC spent gallivanting with rival toymakers. One imagines there might have been a rather awkward “where have you been all these years?” conversation at the negotiating table.

    Warner Bros.’ Robert Oberschelp noted the timing coincides with “DC’s exciting new chapter in 2025,” though he refrained from specifying whether this excitement involves yet another Batman reboot or simply the accountants’ jubilation at the licensing fees.

    The arrangement builds upon an existing relationship between the companies spanning more than 30 brands, including Harry Potter and oddly enough, Ted Lasso, should you fancy your child playing with a miniature football manager known for colourful language and biscuit diplomacy.

    Industry analysts suggest this corporate marriage may deliver a much-needed boost to both parties, though they’ve stopped short of calling it a “super” partnership. 

    At the very least, Batman fans can look forward to their hero returning to the plastic realm where he arguably belongs—standing proudly on bedroom shelves, forever frozen in a heroic pose whilst collecting a fine layer of dust.