750 creators set for WAVES despite security jitters

The government initially planned to launch WAVES alongside the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa in November 2024. However, to ensure wider participation and greater impact, the event was first shifted to February 2025 and then to May 2025.

But even as the countdown begins, a new wave of concern has emerged. Following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, where 28 people lost their lives, some creators are worried the summit might be postponed once again. “It’s a matter of national security,” said a finalist from Delhi. “We understand the government’s priorities. But as creators who’ve worked tirelessly for months, we’re hoping WAVES goes ahead as planned.”

While there has been no official statement yet on any further delay, the incident has undeniably cast a shadow of uncertainty over an event that was otherwise poised to be a turning point for India’s creative economy.

Despite the anxiety, one thing is certain—750 creators from every corner of the country are ready. These finalists were chosen after a rigorous selection process that began with over a lakh participants, including 1,100 international entries, across 32 challenges of the Create in India Challenges (CIC). Among them, WAM!—the WAVES Anime & Manga Contest—has emerged as one of the most dynamic and widely-followed segments.

Rooted in regional outreach and powered by a strong belief in Indian storytelling, WAM! saw city-level contests in 11 diverse hubs: Guwahati, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Varanasi, Delhi, Mumbai, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru. Finalists were filtered through rounds judged by panels of top industry experts in anime, comics, voice acting, and digital art. The goal wasn’t just to find talent—it was to identify India’s future narrative architects, creators whose stories blend local flavour with global appeal.

Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, CEO and Co-founder of 8Bit Creatives, said, “WAVES 2025 marks a groundbreaking chapter in India’s esports journey, and we’re thrilled to be the talent partners driving this initiative. As one of India’s leading talent hubs in gaming and esports, 8bit Creatives brings unparalleled energy and scale to WAVES 2025. This is more than a partnership; it’s a platform to showcase the potential of esports as a viable and celebrated career path while underscoring the government’s support for our rapidly growing gaming and creator economy. With our creators and innovative content strategies, we’re here to make history together!”

Naman Mathur (Mortal), Payal Dhare (PayalGaming), Raj Varma (Snax), Kaashvi Hiranandani (KaashPlays) will be present at the event.

WAM! has tapped into an undeniable cultural current. India, now the world’s second-largest anime market after China, is home to over 180 million anime fans. What began as an imported interest has taken root, creating a booming demand for content that feels both familiar and fresh. In 2023 alone, the anime market in India was valued at $1.6 billion, a number expected to triple by 2032.

By offering structured support, mentorship from industry veterans, and access to government and private sector platforms, WAM! is helping creators develop pitch-ready intellectual properties. The contest is split across multiple categories—Manga, Anime, Webtoon (each for students and professionals), Voice Acting, and Cosplay. This multi-pronged approach ensures representation of diverse skills, styles, and sensibilities. For many participants, it’s their first time presenting to production studios or engaging directly with global publishers.

All eyes now turn to the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, where the WAM! national finale is scheduled to take place from May 1–4 as a central feature of WAVES 2025. The event promises to be a melting pot of creativity, strategy, and opportunity. Finalists will pitch to an international jury, connect with global animation powerhouses, and attend masterclasses with media legends.

The stakes are high—and so are the rewards. Winners will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Anime Japan 2026 in Tokyo, anime dubbing in Hindi, English, and Japanese by Gulmohar Media, and a chance to publish their webtoons through Toonsutra. But more than prizes, what’s truly on offer is validation. A signal that original, culturally-rooted Indian content has what it takes to thrive on the world stage.

For the organizers, led by the Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI) and backed by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, WAM! isn’t just a contest—it’s a mission. It aims to solve one of India’s biggest content challenges: the shortage of globally scalable, original IPs that reflect Indian realities, values, and voices.

Even as the nation grapples with serious security concerns, the vision of WAVES remains intact. Whether it happens on schedule or sees another date change, the groundwork has been laid. The creators are ready. Their stories are powerful. And their audience—both at home and abroad—is waiting.