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Guwahati hosted a groundbreaking event on Nov 22, 2024, as the Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, successfully organized the first chapter of WAM!
WAM! Guwahati, held at the NEDFi Convention Center, worked towards the greater goal to embed manga and anime into India’s cultural mainstream.
It aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of establishing India as a global hub for creative intellectual property.
The event is just one step in a larger movement, with competitions to be held across 11 cities in India. It will culminate in a finale that will take place as part of the WAVES summit from Feb 5-9, 2025, at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhi.
“WAM! is not just a competition; it’s a celebration of creativity and a platform to nurture India’s emerging talent in anime, manga, and webtoon,” said Sushil Bhasin, President of MEAI. “With events like WAM! Guwahati, we are taking significant steps toward establishing India as a hub for original IP creation in these art forms, aligning with the Create in India mission.”
WAM! Guwahati saw enthusiastic participation, with 54 contestants competing across Manga, Webtoon, and Anime categories, and 20 talented cosplayers bringing beloved anime and gaming characters to life.
The Cosplay competition was judged by Ez (Ankita Barthakur, Senior Admin, Assam Cosplay Community), while the Manga, Webtoon, and Anime categories were evaluated by Sushil Bhasin, President of MEAI, and Rishiraj Debroy (Shiroyasha, Founder, Barak Valley Anime Community).
Check out the images from the event below.
Check out the winners from the competition below:
Creative Contest Winners:
Anime Professional (Consolation Prize) – JS Baruah (INR 5,000)
Anime Student (Consolation Prize) – Aditya Bhattacharjee (INR 5,000)
Webtoon Professional (Winner) – Marshy Deori (INR 5,000 + WACOM Pen Tablet + Goodie Hamper from Faber Castell + Merchandise from TRIO)
Manga Professional (Winner) – Debapriyo Das (INR 5,000 + WACOM Pen Tablet + Goodie Hamper from Faber Castell + Merchandise from TRIO)
Manga Student (Joint Winners) – Bijay Gour and Tushar Dev (Each INR 2,500 + WACOM Pen Tablet + Goodie Hamper from Faber Castell + Merchandise from TRIO)
Cosplay Winners:
Rahul Patir – 1st Prize (INR 10,000)
Leo & Nunam – 2nd Prize (INR 6,000)
Siddharth Dutta – 3rd Prize (INR 4,000)
WAM! revolves around harnessing the burgeoning interest and consumption of manga and anime in India by creating localized versions for global audiences.
This initiative aims to cultivate and showcase Indian talent through a series of competitions, offering substantial marketing support and the potential for publishing and distribution deals.
By organizing state-level competitions that culminate in a grand national event in Delhi, the initiative seeks to establish a robust platform for creative expression and international recognition.
This initiative not only aims to tap into the existing interest in manga and anime but also to cultivate and amplify Indian talent, creating opportunities for global recognition and growth in the industry.
