Reliance Entertainment is bringing the iconic anime franchise “Naruto” to Indian theaters for the first time, with a trailer for “Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow” launching.
The theatrical releases for the franchise, first announced by Variety in April, represents a significant milestone for anime distribution in India, with the film launching in three languages — Japanese, English, and Hindi — to reach diverse regional audiences.
The partnership between Reliance Entertainment, TV Tokyo and Happening 365 Synergies signals an ambitious push into one of the world’s fastest-growing entertainment markets. The collaboration positions India as a key territory in TV Tokyo’s global expansion strategy.
“We are proud to announce the launch of a special cinematic journey for Indian audiences,” said Hiroaki Saiki, head of global distribution at TV Tokyo. “The first of the 11 theatrical films produced so far is set to release this month in theatres across the country, and we hope to see the fans in India discover them all.”
“This initiative marks a major milestone in our global strategy, and we are thrilled to bring the Naruto legacy to the big screen in India, one of our fastest growing international markets,” Saiki added.
Reliance Animation CEO Tejonidhi Bhandare outlined plans for outreach programs across educational institutions to build the franchise’s presence among younger audiences.
“We’re focused on building the ‘Naruto’ brand in India through extensive school and college contact programs across the country,” Bhandare said. “This grassroot engagement will help nurture a new generation of anime fans and firmly establish ‘Naruto’ as a cultural phenomenon among young Indian audiences.”
The executive noted that “Naruto” has provided inspiration for Reliance Animation’s own original content development.
Anuron and Kalpita from Happening 365 Synergies, the distribution company run by former Disney executives, underscored the franchise’s cultural resonance in the territory.
“Anime has held a special place in the hearts of Indian audiences – particularly among kids and millennials – for more than two decades,” they said. “The theatrical release of the ‘Naruto’ movies marks a significant milestone in that journey, bringing to life powerful themes of friendship, loyalty, and perseverance that deeply resonate with Indian viewers.”
“Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow” is set to bow across 200+ screens nationwide on June 27.
Dhruv Sinha, head of international businesses and syndication at Reliance Entertainment, said: “‘Naruto’ has a massive and loyal fanbase in India. With a release across 200+ screens nationwide, we are not only honoring that fandom but also reinforcing our commitment to bringing diverse and culturally rich global content to Indian theatres at scale.”
The initiative represents Reliance Entertainment’s broader strategy of leveraging international IP for the Indian market. The company, which has produced and distributed over 400 films grossing more than $1 billion globally, maintains new media assets in animation and gaming that monetize film IP across multiple platforms.
The “Naruto” theatrical launch could serve as a template for future anime releases in India, as distributors test audience appetite for Japanese content on the big screen. The franchise’s established fanbase and multi-language approach position the release as a potential bellwether for the broader anime theatrical market in the subcontinent.
Watch the trailer here:
Source link
