For a night this weekend, Lower Parel’s antiSocial will transform into a scene straight out of a Japanese dreamscape where anime fans, dressed as their favourite characters, dance, eat, drink and celebrate a culture that has grown from niche fandom to a full-blown movement.
Welcome to Bankai Beats — an adults-only anime party that has become one of Mumbai’s most anticipated subculture gatherings.
“Think of it as a coming-of-age for anime fans,” says organiser Shashank Rawat, the creative mind behind the event. “We’ve all attended comic conventions and cosplay meets, but this is different. It’s where the city’s otaku crowd finally gets to let loose — no kids, no filters, just music, cosplay and conversations.”
Unlike the usual daytime fan fests, Bankai Beats begins at noon and flows well into the night, complete with DJ sets, sushi platters, themed cocktails, and a dance floor that sees Naruto, Sailor Moon, and Luffy from One Piece grooving side by side.
The event is open only to those above 18, which means the energy and the creativity get a little bolder. Anime has so many genres and layers, say the organisers. It's a safe space to explore and express that side freely.
There’s also a cosplay competition, but attendees aren’t expected to show up in extravagant, screen-accurate costumes. The idea is to capture the spirit of a character, not necessarily spend months crafting armour.
And in true Mumbai fashion, there’s a twist — Bankai Beats might be the only cosplay event where you’ll spot pitchers of beer clinking across the room. Most anime fans are introverts until the first drink; after that, you see everyone talking, singing, and bonding, say those familiar with the theme.
The night’s beats come courtesy of DJ Tempura, a masked musician popular in J-culture circles. Expect a playlist that blends anime soundtracks with J-trap and lo-fi mixes, the kind of experimental, high-energy sound that keeps the crowd on its feet.
Even the food and drink menu gets an anime twist from themed sushi rolls to Japanese-style cocktails. “It’s all about creating a world within a world,” says Rawat.
The growing popularity of such gatherings shows how anime has moved beyond being a niche obsession into a mainstream creative influence in India. Events like Bankai Beats offer more than entertainment; they create community.
So, whether you’re a die-hard purist or a casual watcher who just knows Attack on Titan, you’re welcome at this wild, wonderfully weird celebration of Japanese pop culture