Crunchyroll Launches ‘Ready to Anime?’ Campaign Featuring Rashmika Mandanna and Shubman Gill

Crunchyroll Launches ‘Ready to Anime?’ Campaign: Star-studded campaign debuts during T20 World Cup 2026, highlighting anime’s mainstream breakthrough in India

Mumbai, India – As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 grips the nation, Crunchyroll has unveiled its latest India brand campaign, ‘Ready to Anime?’, starring Bollywood actress Rashmika Mandanna and cricket sensation Shubman Gill. The two-part ad film captures anime’s evolution from niche interest to mainstream entertainment phenomenon across Indian households.

Anime’s Explosive Growth in India

The timing couldn’t be more strategic. According to a 2025 study by the National Research Group commissioned by Crunchyroll, 62% of general entertainment consumers surveyed in India say they “love” or “like” Japanese anime. Among teens, that number jumps to 74%, making them the most engaged demographic for anime content in the country.

The campaign’s first film will debut during the T20 World Cup, with additional integrations across Shark Tank India Season 5 on Sony LIV—a strategic move that extends anime’s visibility across live sports, streaming platforms, and everyday viewing moments.

The Perfect Cultural Crossover

The ad film opens on a shoot set where Rashmika, a well-known anime enthusiast who has watched over 40 anime series including Naruto, Demon Slayer, and Jujutsu Kaisen, recommends the massively popular series Solo Leveling to Shubman. What begins as casual conversation takes a playful turn when Shubman appears repeatedly distracted by his phone, leaving everyone confused and Rashmika amused. The reveal: he’s completely absorbed watching anime on Crunchyroll.

This pairing is strategic genius. Rashmika brings authenticity as a passionate anime fan who even presented at the 2024 Crunchyroll Anime Awards in Tokyo. Shubman represents the newer viewer—someone discovering anime’s addictive appeal for the first time. Together, they embody anime’s expanding reach across film, sports, and mainstream culture.

Strengthening Crunchyroll’s India Presence

“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. The platform now offers over 900 anime titles, with more than 160 dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu—addressing one of the biggest barriers to anime adoption in India.

The campaign, conceptualized by Tilt Brand Solutions and produced by StudioQ, will roll out nationally across television, CTV, digital, and social media. A second film is scheduled for release during the upcoming IPL season, ensuring sustained visibility during India’s biggest sporting events.

With subscriptions starting at just ₹99 per month and same-day streaming of new episodes airing in Japan, Crunchyroll is positioning anime as accessible, affordable, and culturally relevant entertainment for modern India.

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• How Cricket and Entertainment Are Converging in 2026
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• Celebrity Athlete Endorsements: The New Marketing Playbook

External Resources:

• Crunchyroll Official India Page
• Watch Solo Leveling on Crunchyroll
• Anime News Network – Rashmika Mandanna Coverage

Last Updated: February 12, 2026