March 26, 2024, Bengaluru: The eagerly awaited Zee Café Anime Fan Fest descended upon Divinity Mall, Salarpuria, Bengaluru, on March 23rd and 24th, delighting anime enthusiasts with a dynamic fusion of entertainment, creativity, and camaraderie. This vibrant weekend celebration offered myriad experiences, bringing together fans from across the region to revel in their shared love for anime. The two-day event attracted anime enthusiasts, cosplayers, artists, and influencers from across the country, witnessing a footfall of more than 9000 people. The festival offered a variety of activities, workshops, games, contests, and performances for the fans to indulge in their passion for anime and Japanese culture in association with merchandise partner Posterwa, Rhino Cult, Entertainment Store and Play zone partner, Rumble Tumble.
The festivities kicked off with a bang as the stage came alive with an electrifying musical showcase led by none other than Daisuki, India’s trailblazing cosplay band. Their unique twist on beloved anime characters through music captivated the audience, setting the tone for an evening filled with excitement and anticipation. Speaking about the same India’s first-ever cosplay band owner-musician Abhishek Harish said, “We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to perform at Zee Cafe’s Anime Fan Fest for the second time, and the experience has been phenomenal. Following last year’s energetic reception in Mumbai, which inspired us to bring our performance to Bangalore, we met with an electrifying response from the audience here. Bangalore boasts a significant number of anime enthusiasts, as evidenced by the thousands who attended over both days. At Daisuki Cosplay Band, our name embodies intense love and this passion for anime, cosplay, and music that drives us. We are dedicated to sharing this love with the world, particularly in India, where the enthusiasm for anime is palpable. Inspired by the shared passion of our fans, our band members are tirelessly collaborating to deliver even more incredible anime music experiences. We look forward to continuing to cultivate the vibrant anime community here in India.”
Following suit was the dynamic duo of Kannada hip-hop sensation Sachin Suri and Tiger Chandan, who took the stage by storm. Their lyrical prowess and unwavering passion for anime resonated deeply with the crowd, creating an electric atmosphere that reverberated throughout the venue. The excitement at the event increased as the multilingual maestros, 7Bantaiz, took the stage and enchanted the audience with their mesmerizing performance. They seamlessly transitioned between five languages and showcased breathtaking beatboxing skills, leaving the spectators spellbound. Their performance raised the energy levels of the event to unprecedented heights.
Emcee Mihir Joshi left no stone unturned to keep the audience entertained with his fun and impromptu games and activities. Beyond the stellar performances, attendees had the opportunity to immerse themselves in engaging activities by Hell Energy Drink. Skilled caricature artists lent their talents to create personalized portraits with a whimsical anime-inspired twist, eliciting laughter and joy from fans. Meanwhile, the face painting and hair braiding booth provided an avenue for fans to embody their favourite characters, from subtle nods to complete transformations, fostering a sense of connection and creativity among participants. One of the main attractions was the graffiti wall, adorned with fan art submitted during the event.
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The Zee Café Anime Fan Fest went beyond merely displaying talent. It served as a lively tribute to community and culture. Through interactive workshops, entertaining games, and spirited contests, participants found opportunities to express their enthusiasm and build connections with fellow fans, fostering enduring relationships amidst the shared thrill of being part of the Anime community.
Mr Amit Shah, Chief Cluster Officer – West, North and Premium Channels, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. shared, “In light of the burgeoning Anime community in our country, we at Zee Café recognized the need to provide a platform that celebrates the shared passion for this captivating genre. With Anime captivating an ever-expanding audience, we embarked on a mission to unite all Anime enthusiasts under one roof, thus giving birth to the Zee Café Anime Fan Fest. Following the resounding success of our inaugural event in Mumbai, where thousands of Anime aficionados gathered to revel in their love for the genre, we expanded our horizons to bring this immersive experience to Bengaluru, a city known for its vibrant culture and passionate Anime fanbase. We are delighted to announce that the event was a success and managed to create high energy among all Anime lovers as more than 9000 people attended the event in two days. We look forward to hosting another event for the Anime fans and uniting them in a new city soon.”
Adding to this, Mr. Rishi Parekh, Chief Channel Officer- English at ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, mentions, “The overwhelming enthusiasm sparked by the introduction of Anime content with a Hindi language option at Zee Cafe motivated our dedication to cultivating an environment where a dynamic community of Anime enthusiasts can thrive. This inspiration led to the establishment of Anime Fan Fest. Following the immense success in Mumbai last year, we selected Bangalore as this year’s venue, bringing us immense joy to extend the Zee Café Anime Fan Fest and provide fans a platform to unite and celebrate their shared passion. The enthusiastic response and active participation underscored the vibrant anime community in Bengaluru, and we eagerly look forward to continuing to create memorable experiences for fans in the future. The Zee Café Anime Fan Fest in Bengaluru has been an undeniable triumph, offering a weekend filled with excitement, creativity, and unforgettable moments, marking it a significant success.”
