As one of the founders of Shinigami Studios, one of South India’s first anime community brands, Sahil S and Gowrishankar hit the jackpot for Kerala’s anime fans, they say.
“Our main idea was to bring affordable merchandise for people who really wanted it.” Sahil, a digital artist, customises most of their merchandise using his own designs.
The three founders of Shinigami Studios — Sahil, Gowrishankar and Mohammad Swalih — however, did not want their collective to be confined to just a business idea.
Like many Indian children whose television sets were tuned to Jetix, Animax and Cartoon Network’s Toonami, Sahil too grew up watching Pokemon and Dragon Ball Z.
Amal Antony, a Japanese translator working in Kochi informs South First, “What has changed now is accessibility. It is now easily available to the public owing to streaming platforms.”
Sahil reveals that viewers rarely feel a cultural difference. “Most anime deal with universal themes and explore socio-political and psychological themes that are not restricted to Japan alone.
“We’ve been a part of Kochi Overboard’s anime meet-ups and usually set up merch stalls at their venues. We’re now collaborating with them!” Sahil proudly shares.
Shinigami Studios and Kochi Overboard’s upcoming anime meet-up on Saturday, 18 November, 2023 is already sold out. Now, they have begun registrations for next year's event.