Mumbai: Anime culture in India is on the rise and it’s no surprise as to why. From classic series like Dragon Ball Z and Naruto to the newest and most popular shows such as Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan and Jujustsu Kaisen, anime has become increasingly popular in the country. In India, anime has become a source of entertainment and inspiration for many, with its storylines and captivating art styles.
Anime is often confused with cartoons, but it differs in many ways. One of the main differences between the two is that while anime uses hand-drawn images, cartoons are created using computer graphics. Another difference between these two terms is that while there are many genres available under the umbrella of anime, cartoons usually fall into one or two categories, such as comedy or adventure.
With the recent launch of the Animax channel on Jio TV, more people are beginning to explore the culture of anime in India and discover its hidden gems.
Indiantelevision.com has caught up with KC Global Media co-founder president & CEO George Chien on the launch of Animax and the growing animated content in India.
Edited excerpts:
On sharing a brief background about the company
Co-founded by Andy Kaplan and George Chien, KC Global Media is the leading entertainment network in Asia, with our portfolio of iconic entertainment brands comprising English-language general entertainment network, AXN; anime network Animax; South Korean entertainment network ONE; and Japanese entertainment network GEM. Our networks are available across 20 territories in the region, with each having its own fan following for action, anime, Japanese and Korean drama, and variety. KC Global Media are also proud producers of flagship original content such as Asia Got Talent, Amazing Race Asia, and AXN All Stars as well as unique fiction podcasts like Fey Hollow, and The Fairy Tale Murders.
On bringing animated content into the Indian market
Passionate fan petitions over the past several years demanded that KC Global Media bring Animax back to India, making premium anime content accessible to everyone. India’s adoption as a digital-first and 5G nation has also been key in driving growth opportunities as consumers are open to exploring more as content becomes more accessible across various platforms. The rise of the OTT industry will continue to soar further while affordable prices of OTT platforms in India continue to fuel the growth of demand from consumers across various demographics. Simply put, the fans demanded, and we found a way to deliver it.
On any remarkable change among the shift in consumer behaviour
With a fiercely competitive market, some streaming providers are focused on quantity over quality, which often results in a lack of quality programming. This results in consumers experiencing content fatigue, as options for content become overwhelming.
As content providers compete for consumers’ attention, consumers have become smarter, and demand premium content at value prices. The key to winning consumers is in creating great value propositions, and KC Global Media has been strategic in partnerships with national players, leading broadcasters, telcos, as well as regional and local platform operators to give the best value for consumers.
With the availability of content on various platforms, consumers can be picky in what they watch but are also open to exploring new genres of content. This shift in consumer behaviour has given KC Global Media an opportunity to showcase the best entertainment for our fans as we continue taking a “fan first” approach when we acquire content from studios around the world and bring it to them. We thrive on creating memorable experiences with our customers.
On creating animated content of Indian origin
We would absolutely be interested in exploring the possibility of developing Indian anime characters in collaboration with Indian creators and companies. As a matter of fact, we are in talks with various artists in India to create Indian originals that we believe can work locally, before we share it with the rest of the world. It’s an exciting process and it takes time to get it right.
On plans to collaborate with any major entertainment channel in India
Definitely, YES! At KC Global Media we take pride in promoting Asian artists and their works on a global scale. India already has a very robust entertainment industry in Bollywood but we also realize there are tons of passionate stories that are untold. We are talking to all the major entertainment networks as well as producers to find the right stories for our brands. This will again take time, so stay tuned.
On the current scenario of animation content in India
Anime has gained popularity through many YouTube channels and social media influencers who dedicate their love for anime. Local online anime communities have also grown in the past few years. Anime shown on popular streaming platforms has led to an increased popularity and consumption of the genre. However, the anime libraries of these streaming platforms are not as comprehensive, and more obscure anime are often overlooked, which is where KC Global Media comes in to fill the gap to anime fans through our channel offering and our position as the leading anime channel in Asia.
On expecting more animated content in the near future
Yes, of course! Animax is a brand focused on curating the best anime from Japan. However, we have continually expanded our capabilities on original animation creations in partnership with leading animation studios, but our offering will be dictated by the fans. Anime content costs have gone up significantly especially when global streamers are writing big checks. However, as we stay close to our fans, listen to what they’re asking for, KC Global Media will deliver the right content and memorable experiences that they have known to love over the years.
