‘Anime Instinct’: This contest, for creative geniuses, targets Guinness Record with ₹3-crore prize pool

Bengaluru: In a bold push to position India at the forefront of the global creative economy, IMAGE Infotainment Limited (IMAGE Group of Companies) has unveiled ‘The GIANT Hunt’— a first-of-its-kind global anime and manga art contest that also doubles as an official attempt at a Guinness World Records title for the ‘world’s largest anime art contest’.

Announced at a high-profile press conference in Bengaluru, the initiative signals India’s growing ambition to emerge as a serious player in the global anime and digital art ecosystem, bringing together artists, students and enthusiasts from across continents onto a single creative platform.

At the heart of the initiative is an unprecedented ₹3 crore prize pool — the largest ever for an anime art competition worldwide — designed to combine scale, recognition and real opportunity. Organisers say the contest is not just about competition, but about creating a global stage where creativity can thrive beyond borders.

A Global canvas for creativity

Open to participants aged 8 years and above, The GIANT Hunt is structured across three categories — 8-15 years, 16-24 years, and 25+ years — ensuring inclusivity across age groups.

The competition will be conducted entirely online, welcoming both hand-drawn and digital submissions while strictly prohibiting AI-generated or AI-assisted artwork, underlining its commitment to authentic human creativity.

Registrations and submissions commenced on April 1 and will remain open until June 30, 2026. The results are expected by the end of July, culminating in a grand awards ceremony at The GIANT Hunt Anime Festival 2026 to be held in Chennai on August 8-9.

High stakes, bigger dreams

Beyond the scale of participation, the contest stands out for its life-changing rewards. The top prize includes a 2BHK home for the best overall artwork, while winners across categories will receive cars, motorcycles, gold coins, gaming consoles and more.

In a unique global exposure opportunity, nine winners from India will also earn an exclusive trip to Japan — the birthplace of anime culture.

Participants will also receive official participation certificates from Guinness World Records, subject to the successful completion of the record attempt. Adding further incentive, the first one lakh registrations from India will be eligible for e-vouchers redeemable at LEGO Certified Stores.

A creative movement in the making

Speaking at the launch, Founder and CEO K. Kumar emphasised the broader vision behind the initiative. He noted that at a time when artificial intelligence was rapidly transforming creative industries, platforms like The GIANT Hunt were essential to reaffirm the value of human imagination.

“Our aim is not just to find winners, but to build the world’s largest stage for creativity — where artists are seen, valued and remembered,” he said, adding that the initiative seeks to redefine how talent is discovered and celebrated on a global scale.

Learning meets opportunity

To encourage participation from beginners as well as professionals, the contest will offer over 50 hours of guided tutorials along with multilingual content spanning Indian and international languages.

This learning-driven approach ensures accessibility while maintaining global standards of artistic excellence.

With its ambitious scale, record-setting intent and focus on nurturing talent, The GIANT Hunt could well mark a turning point for India’s creative industries —transforming the country from a growing consumer of anime into a powerful creator on the world stage.