Mr Takeshi Yagi, Ambassador of Japan to India, Mr Yoshio Irie, Vice President and Board Member, Kodansha Inc., Mr Ryota Kato, Corporate Officer and Deputy Division Director, TMS Entertainment Co. Ltd., Mr Raj Nayak, CEO, Colors/Viacom18, Ms Sumedha Saraogi, Vice-President, DQ Entertainment launched the SURAJ – THE RISING STAR by breaking open the Kagami wari (sake barrel) with cricket bats at the Launching Reception held on 4th December, 2012.

Mr Noboru Kawasaki, Author of original manga, Mrs Atsuko Kajiwara, Wife of original author, Mr Ikki Kajiwara, and Bollywood actress Ms Karisma Kapoor attended the event as special guests.

SURAJ – THE RISING STAR, the animation is based on Japan's renowned baseball manga "Star of the Giants", adapted into Indian culture featuring India's favourite sport, Cricket. It is the first official Japan-India animation co-production that comes at the timely juncture of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. This legendary masterpiece from Japan portrays the life of a 16 year old boy, Suraj, set on his journey to be trained as a young cricketer, and the hardships and challenges he faces towards attaining this goal. Adapted for the Indian audiences, ‘SURAJ-THE RISING STAR’, craftily integrates Indian culture and Japanese animation highlighting common characteristics like the importance of family ties, friends and a ‘never say die’ attitude.

The broadcast will commence from 23rd December 2012 and will be aired every Sunday at 10:00 am on COLORS channel. Hope not only the children but also other family members enjoy viewing this first official Japan-India anime production.