Japan is most often associated with anime, which is fair, because the anime culture began way back in 1907 with the film Katsudo Shashin. So with a history so rich, it’s no wonder that one of their greatest money makers and cultural identifiers is celebrated from time to time.
Japan is also known for its business-forward attitude, with the end of the day being reserved to parties after work to wind down. With such a work hard, relax later lifestyle, its no surprise that when people do get a chance to relax and take up the celebration they go all out. So what are the biggest and best anime-based events in japan? This list goes small to large, so join me on our search for the Convention equivalent to Naofumi’s Soul Eater Shield.
10. Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair
Kyomaf Tour Video
This is a pride and joy type of event. Everyone who takes part takes pride in what they do, and how they do it. Mostly used for promotion of local studios, KIMAF is a place for the sale of merchandise, the promotion of under-appreciated series, and the remembrance of the Kyoto Animation studio’s fallen.
There was an arsonist attack quite a while ago, and it took hold of 35 humans before it was quelled. The KIMAF has a charity that is directed towards the studio, as well as many other contributors aiding the studio by way of go-fund-me and direct deposits.
The event costs a maximum of 1,500 yen, or about $11, which makes it worthwhile to attend in my most humble non-humble opinion.
Sentai Filmworks deserves remarkable praise for raising and completing a transaction of over 2 million dollars for Kyoto Animation by way of a Go-Fund-Me entitled “Help KyoAni Heal”.
Kyomaf Twitter: https://twitter.com/kyomaf
9. Wonder festival
Wonder Festival Tour Video
Wonder Festival is purely exhibitional, by this I mean the entire event is for the sale and exhibition of anime figures. The best of the best collectors come out to play for this event and make as many blog posts as it takes to cloud research channels.
Seriously, it’s tough to get much valuable info in this event, like attendance numbers, because when going looking for such things google spits out blogs that reference collector groups and more, but hardly give mention to size and the like. I do know that this is the largest exhibition of figures that are in their pre-order and demo stages, including the ever-awesome garage kit scene.
Tickets cost 2,500 yen, which equals about $18.50. I guess they want you to save your money for the figures, not the venue.
Wonder Festival Twitter: https://twitter.com/WF_officialinfo
8. Release of Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train
Demon Slayer Mugen Train Trailer
Demon Slayer is currently one of the most hyped and popular series in anime history, which was plainly solidified when the movie came out for the Mugen Train Arc. This is by far the highest grossing movie in japan, hitting a clean 40 billion yen, slicing off the heads of the competition.
The movie is available on Crunchyroll in a tv reformat, turning Mugen Train into its own arc, because much unlike some anime movies based on tv series, it is a canon story.
Mugen Train Twitter: https://twitter.com/SlayerMugenSub
7. Toyako Manga Anime Festa
TMAF Cosplay Movie
When looking to attend this event, it is clear that you will not be attending to be inundated with anime to the point of rainbow barf. This event is centered around anime, sure, but it also makes a large point to exemplify local businesses and traditions. The best thing I can say for this is that it takes place in an onsen town, and tends to feature VA panels and live Anisong performances with great energy.
The event draws 30,000 people typically, which is no surprise seeing the price. Tickets equal 1,200 yen, or about $11, so with that in mind, I think it’s a worthwhile trip to Hokkaido.
TMAF Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOYAKO_Manga_An
6. Animelo Summer Live
Animelo Summer Live 2014
There is nothing more satisfying than an absolutely world-shaking music festival, and this one is all about anime music. The coolest bands come out to play as the arena pounds to the beat and the glowsticks pierce your vision. Are you prepared to get crushed by a crowd? How about a crowd of 81,000 people dancing and waving while the hype levels rise?
If this all sounds good to you, then Animelo Summer Live is the place to be. There’s no place like home, but there’s also no place like Animelo, because no matter how you slice it, this is the biggest anime music event in japan! Prepare your booty for great bass and pushing crowds, it’s about to get loud.
Animelo Twitter: https://twitter.com/anisama
5. Jump Festa
Jump Festa Super Stage Video
This festival celebrates all things shonen jump and keeps strong every year at 100,000~ attendees. The festival takes two days and showcases both existing and up-coming shonen series. More often than not, people attend this one to get news from Oda on one piece and to attend panels that pertain to shonen series, as well as see the cosplays people spend days to weeks working on.
While the attendance speaks to the event’s popularity, let’s determine how the events price speaks to affordability:
- Free entry
That’s right. It’s free to attend, with their main income coming from vendors like bandai and toei, who make their money back by selling crazy expensive merchandise. The events include panels, showings, and merchandise halls, all of which are suddenly very worthwhile considering the free entry.
Jump Festa Twitter: https://twitter.com/jumpfesta
4. Itasha Tengoku
Itasha Tengoku Car Exhibition
This is not simply a festival or gathering. It is an otaku way of life, a path to take for those brave enough to stare down the name (Painful Car) and still go balls deep into the subculture. If you didn’t know already, Itasha is the practice of wrapping a desirable car in lewd anime images.
Coined as itasha due to the absolute pain the practice brings to hardcore fans of said cars,
people may view this practice as ruinous, but I simply see it as an art. The art of the cringe is a strong form, and wielding it without cringing yourself is difficult.
The best of the best Itasha come out to play at Itasha Tengoku, a large gathering that brings people from all walks of life out to admire the pain they bring upon the dreary world. From rock-a-billy types to old men and women (mostly men) Itasha Tengoku is simply a divine summoning of the greatest Itasha cars that Japan has to offer. As long as you admire lewd anime expression, as well as cool cars, you can marry the two loves to form a brilliant new persona: Itasha Otakuism!
Itasha Tengoku Twitter: https://twitter.com/itasha_tengoku
3. World Cosplay Summit
World Cosplay Summit Cosplay Exhibition Video
This is another specialty gathering, but this time it’s for the cosplay lovers exclusively. It’s about time we came across something so awesome, because I was beginning to wonder whether cosplay showings would be relegated to contests at other conventions. The cosplays you will see here have been painstakingly created, masters at the craft have worked for months to years to bring their desired character to life and most succeed phenomenally.
The effort put in makes this event an amazing experience, as well as the attendance, taking in a sum of over 150,000 attendees every year. If you peer closely into this event, you will see a deep love for the characters portrayed, which makes the experience all the more enthralling. Careful paint strokes and detailed prop work join hands to bring photographers the most exciting event of the year.
World Cosplay Summit Twitter: https://twitter.com/cosplay_summit
2. Anime Japan
Anime Japan Tour Video
This must’ve been obvious in its placement on this list. It would be ridiculous of me to avoid placing this in any place other than the top two based on size alone, not even to consider the quality of the event. If we do consider event quality (which this list tries not to do) this would be in the number 1 spot.
We look towards this event with the mindset that it is a provider, as they provide services and activities in spades when compared to some other events on this list. Here are some of the big things to do at Anime Japan:
- Games Exhibitions
- Photo booths
- Exclusive anime Showings
- Merchandise booths from big studios
- Cosplay in every corner of the event.
Tons of cool stuff that is generally expected at an event of this size. This whole event makes most of America look pretty… well, bad to say the least. With the way Japanese con goers take to the streets, you would expect something unruly, or maybe a bit of pushing and shoving. In actuality, Japanese queues are the most orderly you will see likely anywhere.
The price of admission is very variable, so lets go through the costs together. Ok, your ticket cost you an arm and a leg, right? You had saved up for a couple months to get to the con, so you spent a grand total of 50,000 yen, or about $370 because you were determined to get the very best experience.
Your cousin paid about 1,900, or $14 by paying ahead of time, but your father bought a ticket at the door, which cost him 2,300 yen or $17. Your brother is a big fan too, so he splurged just a bit, buying a 5,000 yen ticket, equaling about $45. Your ticket gave you early access to everything, as well as two lottery tickets and merchandise, your cousin and father’s tickets gave them basic access, while your brothers ticket gave him basic access, a lottery ticket and some merchandise.
Anime Japan Twitter: https://twitter.com/animejapan_aj
1. Comiket
Comiket Cosplay Tour Video
Comiket is a dreamland, a wonderland for Doujin sellers and upcoming artists, where they may gain exposure to fans and large publishers. Again, this is the place to be if you want to experience the greatest event japan has to offer in terms of anime. Most certainly the reason people flock here can be partially attributed to the cosplay.
The level of detail, the powerful characters depicted, the brilliant artistry and craft. It really is heaven for a photographer, where both posed and candid shots take the cake, and there are thousands of cosplays to choose from. The most amazing thing is how organized it all is. When looking at the organization, one of the main things we see, are again, the queues, how perfectly people line up and stay in place, hardly nd pushing, no shoving or yelling. Directly opposing american conventions, we look to comiket as the model for the best conventions in japan.
Tickets currently cost 700 yen for non cosplayer, or $5, and 3,500 yen or $32 for people in cosplay. This price is unusual, as the event is historically free of charge, but Comiket is making strides to put their free entry back into position.
Comiket Twitter: https://twitter.com/comiketofficial
