- September 30, 2026
Project Maya, Indian Short-Form Anime Series, Set To Premiere This October
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Created by 30 Indian animators over the course of a year, the upcoming short-form Hindi anime series explores how the meaning of freedom has evolved across generations.
Project Maya, Indian Short-Form Anime Series, Set To Premiere This October
If you’re an anime fan in India, you’ve likely seen the genre’s growing influence on the country’s pop culture. Now, Canvas is looking to add a new chapter to that conversation with Project Maya, which it is billing as India’s first original short-form anime series. Set to premiere in the first week of October, the Hindi-language series has been created by 30 Indian animators and creators and brings Indian characters, landscapes and cultural references into a mobile-first anime format.
About Project Maya
Developed over 12 months by Otaku Bharat Studios, it brought together a team of 30 animators and visual artists from across the country. Instead of relying on foreign tropes, the team crafted an original narrative tailored specifically for mobile viewers, filled with recognizable Indian landscapes, cultural nuances, and relatable characters.
At its core, the show tackles a thought-provoking central theme: what does freedom actually mean? The story draws a direct comparison between the concept of independence nearly a century ago and what freedom means to young Indians navigating life today. By blending historical weight with modern youth perspectives, the series aims to strike a deep chord with Gen Z and millennial audiences.
To bring the characters to life, the producers brought in one of the most recognizable voices in Indian voice acting, Sanket Mhatre, known for his work on Ben 10 and major blockbuster dubs. The production also boasts global expertise behind the scenes, with Rob Pereyda, former Head of Anime at Netflix, coming on board as executive producer.
The Hindu quoted Abhinav Singla, co-founder and CEO of Canvas, saying, “India has one of the most passionate anime audiences in the world, but the stories watched here are still largely created outside the country. This series has been developed by Indian animators, voiced by Indian artists and built around a question that is deeply relevant to us. What did independence mean to people a century ago, and what does it mean to a young Indian today?”
When Will It Premiere?
While an exact premiere date hasn’t been announced, Project Maya is expected to premiere in the first week of October exclusively on the Canvas app, formatted vertically for phone screens. It will launch first in Hindi, with English and regional language dubs planned shortly after.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Project Maya is billed as India’s first original short-form anime series, set to premiere during the first week of October exclusively on the Canvas app.
Ask News18September 30, 2026, 22:02 IST
