Cricketer Shubman Gill has been roped in as the new brand ambassador for Crunchyroll in India, as the anime streaming platform sharpens its focus on the country’s fast-growing youth audience.
The announcement builds on Crunchyroll’s recent celebrity-led marketing push. In 2024, the platform partnered with Tiger Shroff and Rashmika Mandanna for high-visibility campaigns, including the “Wish Your World Was Anime” initiative. With anime increasingly resonating with India’s Gen Z and millennial viewers, the latest collaboration underscores the cultural crossover between two passion-driven ecosystems — cricket and anime.
Beyond streaming, anime’s presence in India is steadily widening through theatrical releases, gaming, and music, allowing brands to engage fans across multiple cultural touchpoints rather than just digital screens.
Commenting on the partnership, Akshat Sahu, Vice President, GTM & Partnerships Marketing for APAC & MENA at Crunchyroll, said the worlds of cricket and anime share common values of discipline, dedication, and perseverance. He noted that associating with Shubman Gill creates a strong opportunity to connect with India’s expanding anime community.
Gill echoed similar sentiments, describing himself as new to anime but immediately drawn to its parallels with professional sport. He highlighted the emotional investment, analytical thinking, and high-stakes moments that define both cricket fandom and anime storytelling.
As part of the association, Crunchyroll and Gill will collaborate on fan-centric initiatives and cultural moments, reflecting anime’s growing footprint in India. The platform currently offers over 850 anime titles globally, with more than 130 dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. Subscription plans in India begin at ₹79 per month.
