Skip to content 
The Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, successfully conducted the Kolkata edition of WAM! (WAVES Anime & Manga) at Heritage School, Kolkata.
The event in Kolkata was the second chapter following the inaugural one conducted in Guwahati.
145 contestants across the manga, webtoon, and anime categories participated in the event. The event concluded with a grand showcase of Cosplay and Voice Acting performances. A total of 20 Cosplay and Voice Acting artists showcased their talents, portraying popular characters from anime and gaming.
Winners of WAM! Kolkata (prizes in brackets)
Cosplay Results:
Winner: Soumi Das (INR 10,000)
Second Place: Ridipto Chatterjee (INR 6,000)
Third Place: Indrakshi Haldar (INR 4,000)
Voice Acting Result:
Winner: Sayan Pramanik (INR 2,500)
Creative Contest Winners:
Manga Student: Abhipsha Das (INR 5,000, WACOM Pen Tablet, Faber-Castell Goodie Hamper, TRIO merchandise)
Webtoon Professional: Ankita Majumdar (INR 5,000, WACOM Pen Tablet, Faber-Castell Goodie Hamper, TRIO merchandise)
Anime Student: Sahitya Sarkar (INR 10,000, WACOM Pen Tablet, Faber-Castell Goodie Hamper, TRIO merchandise)
Anime Professional: Abiskar Das (INR 10,000, WACOM Pen Tablet, Faber-Castell Goodie Hamper, TRIO merchandise)
The competition was judged by a distinguished jury which included:
- Rajeswari Roy (Head of Content & Programming; Associate Chief Producer, ETV Bal Bharat).
- Sunita Pandit (Creative, IP & Digital; Sr. Producer, ETV Bal Bharat).
- Sourav Roychoudhury (Founder, Vaibhavi Studios).
- Anushweta De Sarkar (Senior Storyboard Supervisor, Wackytoon Studio).
- Shaurya Shaw (Cosplay Artist) for the Cosplay competition.
Sushil Bhasin, President of MEAI, emphasized the importance of the event, stating, “WAM! Kolkata has once again highlighted the immense untapped potential of India’s anime and manga community. The enthusiastic participation and creativity we witnessed here reinforce our belief in India’s ability to emerge as a global hub for original IPs in these art forms.”
WAM! Kolkata has once again underscored the growing influence of anime and manga in India and provided a platform for aspiring creators to shine.
Check out the images from the event below:
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.
