Japan’s big India content bet goes beyond Doraemon

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Nifty22, 780.25-360.25. Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund Direct-Growth. The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now. Japan's content giants seek bigger India play through films and IP. Japan's content giants seek bigger India play through films and IP. ET BureauLast Updated: Sep 29, 2026, 12: 56: 00 AM IST.

Japan's content industry seeks to growth its presence in India through licensing, merchandising, and localization of animation properties. The Doraemon franchise, with over 20 years in India, is now being adapted for theatrical release. The anime market in India is additionally growing, with streaming platforms expanding their anime offerings significantly. Research demonstrates a high penetration of anime viewership among Indian audiences, indicating potential for commercial expansion.

Mumbai: Japan's content industry is looking to move up the value chain in India, shifting from exporting finished animation programmes to monetising established intellectual property through films, licensing, merchandise, experiences and increasingly localisation. Rising Opportunity.

Notably, the opportunity is emerging throughout two parallel markets: the established kids' animation business built around properties such as Doraemon and Crayon Shin-chan, and a newer, broader anime market fuelled by streaming and theatrical releases that is attracting teenagers and adults. "India is one of the most important markets for us in terms of animation, " remarked Maiko Sumida, head of animation and sales, international business department, at TV Asahi, whose animation programmes include Doraemon, Shin-chan and Ninja Hattori.

In short, japan's big India content bet goes beyond Doraemon is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.