Crunchyroll, the worldwide anime destination, has revealed its latest India ad campaign, ‘Ready to Anime?’, starring Indian Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, along with Rashmika Mandanna.
The two-part commercial ad depicts anime’s quick growth in India as a popular form of entertainment. The first video will premiere during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with subsequent integrations throughout Shark Tank India Season 5 on SonyLIV, increasing anime awareness in live sports, streaming, and everyday viewing moments.
The promotion comes as anime’s popularity in India is growing across all age groups. In 2025, the National Research Group produced research that was commissioned by Crunchyroll, which discovered that 62% of general entertainment customers surveyed in India say they “love” or “like” Japanese anime. Teens show even more excitement, with 74% identifying as anime lovers, making them the most involved age group.
The ad begins on a film set, with Rashmika, an anime lover, recommending the popular anime series Solo Leveling to Shubman. What starts off as a typical encounter rapidly turns humorous as Shubman is continuously distracted by his phone, confusing everyone and amusing Rashmika. The reveal: he’s been watching anime on Crunchyroll. The scene emphasises the campaign’s fundamental insight: once you enter the world of anime, it’s difficult to leave.
Rashmika gives warmth and authenticity as an avid anime fan, while Shubman provides an unexpected and welcoming entrance point for new viewers. Together, they constitute a crossover that demonstrates anime’s rising popularity with both long-time fans and newcomers.
“As anime continues to grow in India, it’s evolving into a natural part of everyday entertainment,” said Raúl González Bernal, Vice President of Regional Marketing at Crunchyroll. “By bringing together anime superfan Rashmika and a newer fan like Shubman, two influential voices from film and sport, the campaign reflects how anime today connects with audiences across interests and backgrounds. Their participation underscores how anime has become part of broader cultural conversations in India.”
The campaign, created by Tilt Brand Solutions and produced by StudioQ (both subsidiaries of Quotient Ventures Pvt Ltd), will be rolled out nationally across television, CTV, digital, and social media channels. The second film will be released during the coming IPL season.
Crunchyroll’s anime portfolio in India continues to grow, with over 900 titles available, including over 160 dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. Subscriptions start at INR 99 per month and allow fans to access new episodes on the same day they air in Japan.
