Anime Expo, North America’s largest celebration of Japanese pop culture, drew tens of thousands of fans to downtown Los Angeles for a four-day event starting Thursday. Hosted by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA), the 35th annual convention featured over 400 exhibitors, industry panels, and appearances by global creators and voice actors.
How did the event expand in Los Angeles?
The convention operated primarily at the Los Angeles Convention Center but expanded into several surrounding venues. According to organizers, these locations included L.A. LIVE, Peacock Place, The Novo, and Crypto.com Arena. To connect these sites, organizers transformed sections of Figueroa Street into a festival corridor.
What attractions were featured at the expo?
The event included a mix of entertainment and academic programming. Organizers listed attractions such as J-Pop performances, the Anime Expo Fashion Show, gaming panels, and academic symposiums. Other highlights included previews of upcoming films and anime series, as well as a Maid Cafe inspired by Tokyo’s Akihabara district.
Why is the growth of the event significant?
The scale of the current gathering reflects a long-term trajectory from a college club project to a major international draw. SPJA CEO Ray Chiang stated that this year’s event is the “largest and most expansive” to date. Chiang noted that the diverse lineup of guests and exhibitors reflects the event’s continued growth and its increasing impact on the city of Los Angeles.
What may happen next for the convention?
Given the expansion into the Crypto.com Arena and L.A. LIVE, future iterations could see further integration of downtown Los Angeles venues. The continued growth mentioned by Ray Chiang may lead to more extensive use of city corridors or additional partnership venues to accommodate the increasing number of attendees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who organizes Anime Expo?
The event is hosted by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA).
How many exhibitors participated in the event?
Organizers stated there were more than 400 exhibitors.
Where did the event originally start?
It began in 1991 as “Anime Con,” organized by members of the anime club at the University of California, Berkeley.
How does the growth of large-scale fan conventions impact urban centers like Los Angeles?
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