India and Japan have taken another significant step towards strengthening collaboration in creative technologies and digital content creation, with a series of initiatives focused on Manga, Anime, storytelling, and skill development. The partnership brings together Japanese industry expertise, technology leaders, and India’s emerging AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics) ecosystem to help nurture the next generation of creative talent.

According to an IICT press release, a key highlight of the collaboration was a Manga Masterclass held on June 22 at the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), Mumbai, in association with Wacom India. The workshop featured renowned Japanese Manga artist Akiko-San, who has more than three decades of experience in the industry. Participants were introduced to the origins and evolution of Manga, storytelling techniques, traditional drawing methods, and professional creative practices used in Japan’s globally recognised Manga industry.

The workshop was conducted in two separate batches of 30 participants each. One session was exclusively organised for IICT students, while the second was open to the public. The overwhelming response, with more than 250 registrations, highlighted the growing enthusiasm among Indian students and creators for Japanese creative formats and international storytelling techniques.

The masterclass formed part of a broader India-Japan engagement aimed at creating new opportunities in Anime, Manga, and creative technology education. A strategic discussion was also held between senior representatives of Wacom Japan, Wacom India, JETRO, and IICT leadership to explore future collaborations.

The meeting included Mr. Koji Yano, Global Head of the Creative Experience Unit at Wacom Co. Ltd., Japan; Mr. Rajiv Malik, Senior Director, Wacom India; Ms. Jenica Kalra from JETRO; and IICT’s leadership team and faculty members from animation and comics disciplines. Discussions focused on specialised training programmes in Manga and Anime production, potential academic partnerships with Japanese universities, and strengthening industry-led learning models for aspiring creators.

Further reinforcing the partnership, IICT and Wacom India exchanged an addendum to their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The expanded agreement aims to enhance collaboration in creative education, industry readiness, and access to advanced digital creative technologies. The framework will support workshops, expert-led sessions, professional training programmes, Japanese Anime artist-led short courses, mentorship opportunities, and greater access to industry-standard creative tools.

Speaking on the collaboration, Dr. Vishwas Deoskar, Chief Executive Officer of IICT, said that India’s creative economy is entering a phase where global partnerships and industry exposure will be crucial in building future-ready talent. He noted that combining Japan’s expertise in Manga, Anime and creative technology with India’s rapidly growing AVGC ecosystem would create stronger opportunities for innovation, learning, and international engagement.

Mr. Koji Yano of Wacom Japan described the workshop as an important platform for young creators to learn storytelling and idea-generation through Manga, one of Japan’s most influential cultural exports. He expressed confidence that the initiative would further strengthen creative ties between India and Japan while inspiring future talent.

Rajiv Malik, Senior Director at Wacom India, said the company sees immense potential for India to emerge as a global leader in the AVGC sector. He added that Wacom’s continued collaboration with IICT reflects its commitment to supporting India’s creator economy through skill development, industry-academia partnerships, and access to world-class creative technologies.

The growing collaboration comes at a time when India’s AVGC sector is witnessing rapid expansion, supported by rising demand for digital content, animation, gaming, and global storytelling formats. Industry stakeholders believe partnerships such as these will play a vital role in preparing Indian creators for international opportunities while positioning the country as a significant player in the global creative economy.