Konnichiwa anime fans! Are you ready to circle those calendars and pack your cosplay outfits?
I know I am because 2024 will be an epic year for otaku adventures. I'll be giving you the scoop on the biggest and most exciting anime conventions happening across America this year and the next.
Trust me, you won't want to miss these events, hand-picked by yours truly. Tee-hee.
We're talking celebrity guests, exclusive merch, iconic cosplay showcases, and an all-around party of anime mania. Whatever events you attend, just be prepared for an overload of kawaii amazingness.
Let's dive into the details.
Anime Expo (AX)
First, we have the legendary Anime Expo (AX) in sunny Los Angeles from July 4-7. This massive four-day event is the biggest anime party in North America. And yes, you read that right! Just imagine over 100,000 anime lovers exploring a huge exhibitor hall, meeting famous anime creators, and rocking the most amazing cosplay looks.
And let's not forget the exhibitor hall is absolutely out of this world! Endless aisles with booths stuffed with exclusive merch, fan art, rare collectibles, and all the anime goodies your otaku heart desires. Just be prepared to go broke from buying all the amazing loot.
Anime NYC
Next is Anime NYC, which will be held from August 23 to 25 at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC. This relatively new con has quickly become a must-attend on the East Coast.
You'll get a huge dose of Japanese culture with exclusive anime screenings, cool exhibits, and special guests galore. Sugoi ne!
You can also attend rare film screenings and witness amazing performances. And, of course, the cosplay passion on display will blow your mind.
Having the con located in central Manhattan is also a big perk. After Anime NYC, you'll never see the Big Apple the same way again.
Otakon
For those in the DC area, don't miss the legendary Otakon from August 2-4. This long-running event at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center is a summer staple, and they are celebrating 30 epic years in 2024.
At Otakon, you'll get anime scoops directly from insiders at exclusive previews and panels. The exhibitor showcase is also unmatched, giving you a glimpse at the hottest upcoming releases.
But perhaps the biggest draw is the electric atmosphere and fervent fandom on display. Otakon draws a devoted crowd of hardcore anime explorers, so you know the cosplay energy and enthusiasm will be through the roof! Doki-doki.
And being located in DC, let's just say... you can balance your Naruto obsession with checking out iconic sites. Now that's a kawaii combo!
Sakura-Con
The Sakura-Con in Seattle is a huge non-profit convention with an amazing slate of panels and performances. Did I mention the iconic cosplay parade? Hai, it's so much fun!
What makes Sakura-Con extra special is its welcoming "for fans, by fans" philosophy. Once inside, everything is free to enjoy without extra fees. Autographs, performances, events, you name it, it's all included!
The cherry on top is the con's convenient downtown location. You can easily travel there and be blown away by the amazing anime adventures you can have with the lovable anime community.
Anime Central
Let's not forget about Anime Central in the Chicago area from May 17-19. This massive Midwest event draws big crowds to the Hyatt Regency O'Hare for its premier screenings, rave parties, and absolutely ginormous Artist Alley. It's an otaku's heaven up in there.
The Artist Alley here is insane, stretching as far as the eye can see with incredible fan creations. You could spend the entire weekend just exploring and geeking out.
But save some energy for the wild cosplay showcases, gaming tournaments, and night ragers that keep the party going 24/7. At Anime Central, you can fully immerse yourself in anime mania!
Which One Will You Attend?
Whew, I could go on and on! There are so many other fantastic anime cons like Anime Boston, FanimeCon, MomoCon, and more. No matter which epic 2024 anime convention you attend, I just know you'll have the most amazingly otaku-tastic time ever.
Don't forget to pack your wig, stock up on pocky, and get hyped because this year's convention lineup is spectacular. And if you can't make it to a con, no worries!
Be sure to check out our Waifu and Yaoi box subscriptions to get your monthly dose of exclusive anime figures, merch, and collectibles shipped right to your door.
Mata ne for now fellow otakus!
