Thiruvananthapuram Launches its First Anime Food Fest

• EAT-TAKU! aka first anime food fest will be held at Uday Suites in collaboration with Shinigami Studios
• This reflects India’s fast-growing anime market, which is projected to nearly triple by 2033.
• Such events mark the decentralization of pop culture events, echoing the rising demand for live events and anime community growth.

The food and pop-culture scene in Kerala is going to get a boost as Thiruvananthapuram is set to host a two-day anime food carnival named EAT‑TAKU! Fest. 

The event is slated to take place on November 15 and 16 at Uday Suites’ Pan-Asian restaurant Hanami, which will see a convergence of various fandoms along with an array of food items, beverages, games, merchandise stalls, and cosplayer appearances. 

It will be held in collaboration with Shinigami Studios, which claims to be South India’s first anime community brand, selling various anime merchandise. 

Amidst the city’s noticeable growth in anime fandoms, this food fest also shows how restaurant and hospitality businesses are increasingly involving entertainment sectors and niche pop culture. This, in turn, is expected to draw in younger audiences who are naturally curious and are seeking experience to find or develop a community of their own.

This event comes after the news of Jaipur hosting its first Comic Con from January 4th to 6th, 2026, at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC). Reportedly, Comic Con India’s Jaipur edition will be organized with the Government of Rajasthan under its AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) policy. This shows how quickly India's anime and pop culture industries are expanding.

Food, Fandom, and the Rise of India’s Pop-Culture Scene

According to a 2024 IMARC forecast, the nation's anime business is predicted to almost triple by 2033. This explains why licensed anime T-shirts, souvenirs, and cosplay clothing are now easily accessible as compared to a few years ago.

Due to such market surge, more immersive, in-person experiences are in demand. This is supported by data which indicates a 15% growth in the live-events industry last year. Simultaneously, Modor Intelligence reports that the dine-in restaurant sector in India is projected to grow to $65 billion USD by 2030. This shows that consumers are spending more on social and experiential dining, and such merged events can collectively boost each other's revenue.

When taken together, the data and events show how fandoms, cuisine, and live experiences come together to form a single ecosystem. Additionally, it depicts how India's pop culture and creative economies are decentralizing when events like these are held in non-metro cities like Thiruvananthapuram, opening the door for large regional Comic Cons and small festivals like EAT-TAKU! Fest.