The 10 Best Anime Conventions Worldwide
A great way to celebrate being an anime fan is to attend conventions, where you experience big doses of anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture goodness. Not only will you see great cosplays and buy rare merchandise, you also meet fellow fans who love to gush over their favorite fandoms and characters. If you do not know which anime conventions to attend to, read our guide below.
10. Madman Anime Festival
When it comes to organizing anime conventions all over the world, Australia is one of its great contributors. They created exciting conventions, but nothing beats the Madman Anime Festival. This one-of-a-kind event brings anime and Japanese culture together in one venue. Held in Melbourne, Madman Anime Festival is the brainchild of two of Australia’s leading anime organizations: Madman Entertainment and Anime Lab.
Whether you’re an Australian citizen or a tourist who loves anime, this convention brings anime lovers together. You will find awesome cosplayers, exciting activities, and a wide range of exhibitors and merchandises. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Madman Anime Festival also sweetens the deal by inviting special guests such as voice actors, international cosplayers, and company owners. So, whatever your goal is for attending, you will be able to satisfy all of your anime desires.
Madman Anime Festival 2017
9. Otakon
Get a dose of anime and live-action Asian pop culture with Otakon. This annual summer event is one of the biggest anime conventions in America as it brings together local and international fans under one roof. While Otakon is usually held in Maryland, they will be moving to Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC for 2017.
Some of its highlights include Anisong concerts from the biggest Asian bands and singers, well-known Japanese and English voice actors, talented Asian cosplayers, and more exciting activities. Fans can also buy items of their favorite Asian fandoms as it’s packed with a wide range of shops, exhibitors, merchants, and artists. Here at Otakon, there will always be something for every anime and Asian pop culture fan.
Otakon 2017 Closing Reel
8. Animelo Summer Live
Are you an anime fan who finishes the opening and ending songs of a series? Are anime songs part of your main playlist? Do you dream of hearing your favorite Japanese artists sing your favorite anime opening live? If your answer is yes to all these questions, the Animelo Summer Live is the convention/concert for you!
Animelo is the world’s biggest anime song live concert and brings together fans who loves anime opening and closing songs, as well as the soundtracks. The event is held at various venues in Japan. Not only will you hear different Japanese singers and bands, but you also get to see voice actors sing. Another concert highlight is the rare collaboration of artists from different labels. Having Japanese artists in one venue is something that no anime song lover should miss.
Animelo Summer Live 2017
7. Jump Festa
Celebrate your love for Jump’s manga and anime series by attending Jump Festa in Japan. This yearly event is based on the theme of Japan’s Manga Magazine “Weekly Shonen Jump” and is sponsored by Shueuisha, the creators of various Jump anthologies.
Here, organizers present new films, manga and anime series, games, and, of course, merchandise. What makes this convention special is manga artists and anime production studios are invited as special guests. They hold meet-and-greets, panels where they can answer questions from fans, and even talks. Whether you are there to look at new Naruto merchandise or learn about the latest Yu-Gi-Oh movie, Japan Festa will make the inner otaku in you very happy.
Jump Festa 2017
6. Comiket, Japan
If you are looking for rare doujinshis and manga series, Comiket (short for Comic Market) is the event for you. This is the world’s biggest manga, anime, and doujinshi fair, which is held twice a year---August and December--- in Japan. Due to the popularity of the event, waiting in line takes more than an hour. Those who take the first train even have to wait for five hours just to enter the venue at 10 or 10:30 am. Thus, organizers advise attendees to come in the afternoon to avoid waiting for hours.
What makes this event different is they sell items at cheaper prices, compared to those in shops and on the Internet---which can go up to 10 or 100 times the original price. In addition, there are cosplay competitions and various booths selling non-doujinshi items.
Despite growing the past years, Comiket still retained its theme of all things being fan-made. It’s here that fans all over the world celebrate their love for the anime, doujinshi, and manga subculture with fellow fans. Nothing beats meeting old and new friends and fangirling (or fanboying) over your favorite characters and pairings.
COMIKET COSPLAY SHOWCASE 2017
5. AmeCon, UK
United Kingdom will not allow themselves to be left behind when it comes to organizing anime conventions. They are now known in the anime community, thanks to the creation of AmeCon. This is the largest anime festival in the UK. However, while there is focus on Japanese anime, UK makes sure to recognize their own by giving fans a glimpse of the European animation scene. And since the whole event is organized by fans, everything you see here is something that anime fans would truly love.
Just like other anime conventions, AmeCon has merchant booths, cosplay competitions, cosplayers, workshops, panels, and more. But what sets this event apart that every night, organizers hold a fantastic party where fans can let their hair down, meet fellow anime lovers, and go crazy over their fandoms. You can also drink and dance all night long! Well, that is one anime party we would like to attend! Take your geeking out to the next level by attending AmeCon.
Amecon 2016 - Cosplay Masquerade!
4. Anime Expo
Anime Expo is the largest anime event and the second-longest running convention in the USA. Every year, thousands of anime lovers from all over the world travel to the sunny state of Los Angeles to get a dose of their favorite eastern fandoms. Whether you want to see well-known guests or get a view of the best cosplays, Anime Expo is an exciting event you shouldn’t miss.
It is also a convention where attendees can learn new skills through workshops. Bring out your creativity by doing wonderful AMVs or pitching ideas for your own animated concept. In addition, you meet professionals and companies from the anime community. This is the perfect chance to immerse yourself in the anime community and meet fellow fans. The whole convention is jam-packed with so many activities and merchandise that you will never run out of something to do.
Anime Expo 2017 Cosplay Fun
3. Japan Expo
Japan Expo is the largest Japanese popular culture convention in the world outside of Japan. It takes place in Paris, France and runs for four days! More than 200,000 attendees come every year---which is bigger than America’s Anime Expo. Due to the popularity of the event in Europe, a lot of special anime community guests are invited for workshops, panels, and meet-and-greets.
Fans will not only fulfill their anime cravings, but they will also discover manga, video games, and Japanese music activities. You also get to see awesome cosplays walking around or participating in competitions. If you can’t go to Japan but still want to experience Japanese pop culture goodness, the Japan Expo is the convention to attend to.
Japan Expo Paris 2017 - Cosplay Music Video
2. Anime Japan
Your anime experience would not be complete if you don’t attend Anime Japan at Tokyo Big Sight. Travel to the birthplace of anime and experience a geek paradise that will leave you overwhelmed. Anime Japan is considered the world’s largest anime and manga event, thanks to its international guests, enjoyable panels, and fun-filled activities. Better purchase those tickets and book your flight to Tokyo Japan.
The convention is divided into two parts to cater both the businesses and the fans. The business area is for those who want to expose themselves further in the industry. It is also a place for aspiring creators to pitch in their ideas and be known. As for the fans, they can buy their favorite anime merchandise or attend mini events. By doing so, they fulfill their fandom desires and go home feeling special.
ANIMEJAPAN 2018 COSPLAY SHOWCASE
1. Anime Festival Asia
When you want to attend a series of anime conventions in one year, the Anime Festival Asia is perfect for you. This event happens not once, not twice, but more than three times a year across the Southeast Asian region—with its core event held in Singapore. Whether you are an Anisong fan or want to get the latest anime merchandise, you should go to AFA at least once in your life.
AFA is known to having the largest attendance for anime conventions, with a total figure of 1,117,950 for 2016. The event provides business people and fans the chance to experience Japanese culture like no other convention has done before.
They have organized business conferences that focus on the anime and manga industry, as well as cosplay competitions that give out large cash prizes. In addition, the event invites local and international cosplay celebrities such as Reika and Yingtze. And of course, there are the anime booths and merchants where you can buy common and rare items all weekend long.
Indeed, anime fans will surely enjoy these exciting anime conventions because they are full of activities, contests, and merchandise. It does not matter if you are a new fan or a long-time one; these conventions are perfect for geeking out on your fandoms. So, book that ticket and travel to the anime convention of your dreams today!
ANIME FESTIVAL ASIA 2017 COSPLAY SHOWCASE
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