A large-scale exhibition event promoting Japanese anime opened at a shopping mall in New Delhi on Saturday, showcasing popular titles like "Crayon Shin-chan" and "Obocchama-kun."
At the event, called Mela! Mela! Anime Japan!!, TV Asahi, which broadcasts Crayon Shin-chan and other shows, set up booths to attract local anime fans.
Organized by officials from several Japanese companies, the event is being held as part of "Japan Month," in which various events are held intensively to promote exchanges between Japan and India. Talk shows and live performances of anime songs were also held.
A Crayon Shin-chan movie set in India is scheduled to be screened in the country.
The classic gag anime Obocchama-kun also enjoys high popularity in India, where a new locally produced series has just started to be distributed by anime-specialized channel Anime Times.
A Japanese official of Anime Times said: "There isn't a single person visiting our booth who doesn't know Obocchama-kun. They know more than we do."
An 18-year-old student learning Japanese who is a fan of "Attack on Titan" said that Japanese anime is not just entertaining but also stirs up all kinds of emotions, including sadness. The complex storylines are also part of its appeal, the student added.
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