For more than two decades, Bleach has been a rite of passage for anime fans: Ichigo’s Bankai, the Soul Society arc, the Thousand-Year Blood War. Now Indian fans get a rare chance to meet the man who brought it to the screen. Noriyuki Abe, director of the Bleach anime series and films including Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion, as well as Yu Yu Hakusho, will headline Anime India Hyderabad on 14-15 November 2026 at The Address, Conventions & Exhibitions, Narsingi.
Presented by AnimationXpress, Anime India Hyderabad brings the country’s biggest celebration of anime and Japanese pop culture to the city for two days, from 10 am each day.
Abe San will meet fans in person and lead a special session on the creative process behind the franchise: its stories, production experiences and the creative decisions that shaped Ichigo’s journey.
Live anime concert by MaRe
J-pop singer MaRe will headline a live anime-song concert on 15 November, with fan favourites including Silhouette, unravel, Kick Back, Iris Out, Kaikai Kitan, Zenzenzense, Suzume, Peace Sign and Bling-Bang-Bang-Born, plus her own song I’m Fine. She will also join a fan panel on 14 November and meet fans at a meet-and-greet with 100 signed autographs on 15 November. Japanese artist Maena Sugimoto also joins the line-up.
Anime Times VIP DJ party
On 14 November, Anime Times annual subscribers get an exclusive VIP DJ party with anime anthems. The Anime Times pass combines a two-day festival ticket (Rs 499) with an Anime Times annual subscription (Rs 399), and includes access to all stage events and the party.
Baahubali comes home to Hyderabad
Arka Media Works, the studio behind Baahubali, joins Anime India Hyderabad as Gold Partner. Fans can meet producer Shobu Yarlagadda and the creative team at an exclusive Baahubali session, with updates on the upcoming Baahubali: The Eternal War.
Four Baahubali competitions are open to fans:
- Baahubali Lookalike Cosplay competition
- Baahubali Prop-Making Challenge
- Baahubali Art Contest for Baahubali-inspired artwork
- Baahubali Trivia contest on stage
Festival highlights
- J-pop live: MaRe’s live anime-song concert (15 November), fan panel and autograph meet-and-greet; Maena Sugimoto
- Cosplay competition: India’s top cosplayers compete for a prize pool of over Rs 3,00,000
- Versus Japanese gaming arena: Japanese fighting and arcade titles
- Competitions: a squad-based Free Fire tournament, Beyblade battles, anime quizzes and four Baahubali contests (Lookalike Cosplay, Prop-Making, Art, Trivia) celebrating Hyderabad’s homegrown epic
- Anime concert and Anime DJ party with fan-favourite anime anthems
- Anime screenings
- Shoutengai Street, Japan Pavilion, Artists Alley, Fandom Realm and a Maid Café
- Licensed merchandise from official partners, and a food court
- Two stages: Main Stage and Open Stage
The festival expects 46,000+ fans, with 500+ brand showcases, 80+ entertainment acts and 15+ celebrities, comic creators and pro-cosplayers.
Anime India co-founder Mishaal Wanvari said, “Hyderabad has one of the most passionate anime communities in the country, and they deserve a festival built for them. Bringing the director of Bleach to the city is a dream for our team and for the fans.”
Anime India co-founder Neha Mehta said, “We have designed Anime India Hyderabad so there is something for every kind of fan. Whether you come for Bleach, cosplay, gaming or J-pop, this is your weekend.”
Tickets are on District and at animeindia.live/hyderabad. Updates: Instagram @animeindia.live.
Legends keep coming to Anime India. In August 2026, Anime India Mumbai (28–30 August) hosted Naruto anime director Hayato Date, for his fans in India. Hyderabad now continues that run with Bleach director Noriyuki Abe.
