Anime cinema and TV series are often misunderstood as featuring just “a bunch of Japanese kids with swords”, but the genre also houses high school romances (Whisper of the Heart), and even discusses socio-political issues (Akira) in equal measure. However, it is the former that is more popular internationally.

Language is no bar in anime; subtitles are a loyal companion. In fact, anime lovers try to retain as much Japanese flavour as possible. Purists go by the dictum,“Thou Shall Not Dub.”

Despite an alien culture and the language barrier, Indians who are loyal fans of anime like it for its interesting plots, multi-layered characters and of course its great animation. They believe that anime culture, although indigenous to the Japanese, is also universal – in that, its stories when supplanted into any other culture would still resonate with audiences, Orient or no Orient.