Highlights
- Artist Alley vendors alleged delays in receiving tables, power access and other facilities included with their booth packages.
- Artists also raised concerns over communication, internet access, crowd management and the treatment of vendors during the event.
- Anime India reportedly acknowledged that the Mumbai convention faced operational issues and said it would work to improve future editions.
Several Artist Alley vendors have accused the organisers of Anime India Mumbai 2026 of poor planning and communication during the three-day convention, adding scrutiny to the fast-growing anime event as it expands across Indian cities.
Anime India Mumbai was held from Aug. 28 to 30 at the NESCO Exhibition Centre in Goregaon and featured artists, merchandise sellers, cosplayers and Japanese industry guests including Naruto director Hayato Date.
Anime India Vendors Raise Multiple Concerns Over Event Management
Artist TAO told Anime News Network that some vendors began the opening day without tables despite paying between INR 12,000 and INR 22,000 for booth packages that were supposed to include tables, chairs and access to power.
TAO said some tables were not provided until between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Aug. 28 and that some vendors did not receive access to power sockets until the following day.
Other vendors raised separate concerns about the event on social media.
Artist Sumit Edison said in an Instagram post that AI-generated material was presented during parts of the convention focused on Indian animation and production. He also alleged that restrictions placed on some Artist Alley sellers were not applied consistently to other merchandise vendors.
Edison said AI-focused exhibitors were positioned alongside traditional artists and alleged that AI-generated work was presented during programming attended by Date. He also said visitors to Artist Alley were at times moved away from the area to accommodate VIP movement.
The claims could not be independently verified.
Artist and cosplayer Cosytales separately complained about internet access and communication with convention staff, while cosplayer Qwinnnbee in a statement to ANN described negative experiences involving staff, volunteers and attendees.
Anime India acknowledged that the Mumbai convention had faced operational problems. The organiser said some issues arose as the event increased in scale and that it planned to address vendor concerns at future editions.
Anime India, an initiative of AnimationXpress, has been expanding the convention beyond Mumbai. Its Kolkata edition was held on Feb. 14 and 15 at Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, followed by an event in Delhi in June.
