Anime Expo 2026

The 35th Anime Expo was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center over four days from Thursday, July 2 through Sunday, July 5.

Organized by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation, Anime Expo is one of the largest Japanese anime conventions in North America.
This year, anime fans from across the United States gathered once again.

Cosplayers dressed as their favorite characters posed for photos and enjoyed meeting others portraying characters from the same series.

More than 1,000 exhibitors, retailers, artists, and companies filled the convention floor.
Fans shopped for event exclusive merchandise and collector’s items while enjoying exhibits and attractions at booths throughout the venue.

Throughout Anime Expo, a wide variety of programs were held, including new anime announcements and panel discussions featuring special guests.

World renowned artist Yoshitaka Amano, known for his distinctive artistic style, premiered the teaser trailer for his new anime project, ZAN.
ZAN is an ambitious project to create a fully hand drawn animated adaptation of an original science fiction fantasy story written and illustrated by Amano.

Japan House Los Angeles invited manga artist Kazuo Maekawa, known for Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, from Japan to lead a manga drawing workshop.

The session drew a full house, with even the extra seats filled.
Participants experienced a simple approach to creating manga characters that even beginners with little drawing experience could enjoy.
In a relaxed atmosphere, they learned the fundamentals of developing a wide variety of characters.

Maekawa continues to teach Japanese manga creation to international visitors to Japan and at events around the world.

In addition to anime, many companies related to Japanese pop culture, including gaming and food, also exhibited at Anime Expo.

The Japan External Trade Organization, JETRO, once again presented the Geek Street pavilion.
The pavilion featured six companies showcasing products related to gaming, traditional crafts, fashion, and music.
Visitors explored the booths and checked out new products and the latest content.

TOMY Company, the toy manufacturer behind Beyblade, inspired by the traditional Japanese spinning top beigoma, and capsule toys known as gacha, showcased its fashion doll Licca at Anime Expo.

Created in 1967, Licca has been loved in Japan for generations.
This year, TOMY Company launched Licca in the North American market with a lineup that highlights Japanese culture, including dolls dressed in kimono and school uniforms.

A food area featuring 39 Japanese food booths and food trucks was also set up at the event.
The stage hosted performances including mini concerts by J Pop idol groups.
Through anime as a gateway, participating companies introduced visitors to a wide range of Japanese pop culture and traditional culture.

Tickets for this year’s Anime Expo sold out.
More than 400,000 attendees visited the event over the four days.