In a landmark initiative to promote anime and manga culture in India, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in collaboration with the Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI), has officially launched the WAVES Anime & Manga Contest (WAM!). This innovative contest is part of the “Create in India Challenge”, aiming to nurture local talent and tap into the growing interest in Japanese manga and anime among Indian audiences.

Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Railways, and Electronics & Information Technology, unveiled the Create in India Challenge—Season One at New Delhi on 22nd August, 2024. This challenge serves as a precursor to the upcoming WAVES summit, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Design in India, Design for the World,” articulated during the 78th Independence Day address.

About WAM!

WAM! offers a unique opportunity for Indian creators to produce localized versions of popular Japanese art styles, catering to both domestic and international audiences. By providing substantial marketing support and opportunities for global recognition, the contest aims to establish a strong platform for creative expression in manga and anime.

WAM! features three categories, each offering a unique platform for creative expression:

Participation Verticals
Manga (Japanese style comics)- Individual Participation for Student and Professional Category
Webtoon (Vertical comics for digital mediums) – Individual Participation for Student and Professional Category
Anime (Japanese style animation) – Team (of upto 4 people) Participation for Student and ProfessionalCategory
Format & Delivery – script provided on the spot. Participants to generate:
Manga (Student, Individual) – 2 pages manga with at least 4 panels each, inkand color (physical / digital)
Manga (Professional, Individual) – 2 pages manga with at least 4 panels each,ink and color (physical / digital)
Webtoon (Student, Individual): 7 panels with ink and color
Webtoon (Professional, Individual): 10 panels with ink and color.
Anime (Student, Teams) – 10 seconds of anime as per the provided script
Anime (Professional, Teams) – 15 seconds of anime as per the provided script

Competition Structure and Schedule

Participants can compete individually or in teams (of upto 4 people), with separate categories for students and professionals. The event is structured in two levels: state-level competitions across eleven cities and a national-level finale.

Each state-level event begins with registration at 9:00 a.m., followed by a welcome and briefing session at 9:30 a.m. The competition runs from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., featuring a bustling expo and job fair that connects participants with industry opportunities. The day concludes with a wrap-up and celebration from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with activities such as cosplay competitions, musical performances, voice acting sessions and exciting giveaways.

Key Dates and Locations for WAM!

• WAM! Bangalore: October 27, 2024

• WAM! Chennai: November 10, 2024

• WAM! Kohima: November 22, 2024

• WAM! Kolkata: November 24, 2024

• WAM! Bhubaneswar: November 26, 2024

• WAM! Varanasi: November 28, 2024

• WAM! Delhi: November 30, 2024

• WAM! Mumbai: December 15, 2024

• WAM! Ahmedabad: December 17, 2024

• WAM! Nagpur: December 19, 2024

• WAM! Hyderabad: December 21, 2024

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