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Anime in India is now getting the attention it deserves, and this wave of change has been welcomed with open arms. A genre that was seen as a niche interest or treated as a list of shows that only cater to children has now become a part of a popular cultural moment. There are fans all over India who are hardcore fans of anime who have been part of this community for years, and now with the shift, we are also witnessing a younger audience actively viewing anime series.
At the center of this shift is Sony YAY!, a channel that has taken time in now repositioning itself from being a network that focused on shows only for kids to becoming one of the main gateways for mainstream anime on Indian television. The network began its journey by streaming the iconic show Naruto. This anime has nostalgia for many fans, which in turn also ended up resonating with new viewers.
Those who watched the show ended up having a positive response to the series, and this was enough proof of the fact that anime in India could end up thriving even on TV if they were given some time to be presented in the right way. That success opened the door to more modern, globally dominant titles such as Jujutsu Kaisen and One Punch Man, signaling a clear evolution in Sony YAY!’s content strategy. With 2026 on the horizon, the channel is now preparing its most ambitious anime expansion yet.
Anime in India is no longer niche; it is a cultural movement
Recently, we also had the opportunity to receive an exclusive statement from Ambesh Tiwari, Business Head, Sony Kids and Animation, Sony YAY!, who shared the channel’s long-term vision for anime in India and why 2026 will be a defining year:
"Anime has rapidly evolved into a mainstream cultural force in India, striking a strong emotional chord with today’s youth. At Sony YAY!, we recognized this shift early and have made deliberate investments in the anime space, witnessing strong engagement and fan adoption across the titles we have introduced so far. Building on this momentum, 2026 will mark a defining phase for us as we significantly expand our anime portfolio with globally celebrated franchises such as Naruto, One Punch Man, Jujutsu Kaisen, and more."
His statement now proves that getting anime in India is a priority, and Sony YAY! is taking the lead in committing to making series accessible to the audience who is clearly interested in watching these series. It seems like the intent from the company is to cater to both long-time anime fans and first-time viewers.
Looking at the title lineup up it seems like they are trying to acquire all sorts of series to ensure there is localization. Because if the aim is to introduce various types of series to viewers, this is a great move, because if they only choose to air popular shows Indian audience would not get proper exposure. He continued to add:
"Our strategy goes far beyond content acquisition. We are committed to delivering anime in a way that feels authentic and accessible to Indian audiences, through high-quality localization, compelling regional dubs, and culturally attuned storytelling that preserves the spirit of the original while enhancing relatability."
Getting anime in India was a journey that needed to introduce dubbing in various local languages because this country has viewers who would be more comfortable watching a show they could understand. This adds to reliability, and the message that the narrative wants to convey gets understood. Equally notable is the channel’s emphasis on fandom-building rather than passive viewership:
"Equally important is our focus on ecosystem-building. We are actively nurturing anime fandoms through a mix of on-ground experiences, digital-first engagements, and strategic collaborations that allow fans to participate in the world of anime, not just consume it."
Ambesh Tiwari continued to emphasize:
"This is complemented by a strong push into licensing and merchandising, enabling audiences to connect with their favourite characters beyond the screen through thoughtfully curated consumer products and brand extensions."
Looking ahead, Sony YAY!’s ambitions are clear and confidently stated:
"Our long-term vision is clear, to establish Sony YAY! as a definitive destination for anime in India, one that delivers world-class content while building a scalable, immersive, and sustainable 360-degree anime universe for the next generation of fans."
Anime in India is now going through a transformative era, and Sony YAY! is standing tall in the movement. Especially with them taking the effort to bridge iconic classic anime like Naruto with modern ones, powerhouses like Jujutsu Kaisen, this channel is opening and redefining how the Indian audience watches anime.
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Final thoughts
If 2026 unfolds as planned, Sony YAY!'s broadcast plans may herald the opening of a new avenue for Anime in India. In contrast with streaming platforms, a broadcasting network can easily reach a larger audience, making anime accessible to those who have never even heard of it before. Fans are hyped to see how anime fares on Indian TV in 2026, and they are ready to support it wholeheartedly.
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