While most Americans in early July are focused on their 4th of July plans, anime fans and industry professionals gather yearly at the Los Angeles Convention Center to experience North America’s largest anime-themed convention, Anime Expo. The convention is a celebration of the consistently growing international giant that Japanese anime has become.
With thousands of hours of programming over the four-day event from July 2-5, Anime Expo offers panels for all types of anime fans, ranging from industry news to education panels. The convention has continued to expand its reach with the event now including the Los Angeles Convention Center, LA Live and Crypto.com Arena. Here are some moments that capture what it was like attending this year’s convention.
Traditional ribbon cutting ceremony before the South Hall to the public. (Photo by Aaron Ogawa) 
Attendees walk around outside of the South Hall. (Photo by Aaron Ogawa) 
Attendees traversing between the South and West Halls. (Photo by Aaron Ogawa) 
Thousands of attendees enter the South Hall on day one of the convention. (Photo by Aaron Ogawa) 
Shigenori Soejima, character designer for the Persona video game series, does a live drawing of the Persona 4 protagonist at the SEGA ATLUS booth. (Photo by Aaron Ogawa) 
Shigenori Soejima, speaking to a crowd at the SEGA ATLUS booth. (Photo by Aaron Ogawa) 
Cosplayer Danny Fung and his brother cosplay as Yu Narukami and Ose from Persona 4. (Photo by Aaron Ogawa) 
Attendees lineup for a photo opportunity promoting Persona 4 Revival. (Photo by Aaron Ogawa) 
Maki Terashima Fureta, CEO of Production I.G USA, speaking at the Production I.G and WIT Studio panel. (Photo by Aaron Ogawa) 
From left to right, George Wada, Mitsuhisa Ishikawa and Maki Terashima Fureta wave towards the crowd. (Photo by Aaron Ogawa) 
Fans stand up and cheer at the Production I.G and WIT Studio panel. (Photo by Aaron Ogawa) 
Fans line up to ask Production I.G and Studio WIT staff questions in a Q&A session. (Photo by Aaron Ogawa) 
Attendees crowd the aisles and booths of Artist Alley. (Photo by Aaron Ogawa) 
Attendees buy food at the new dining area on Figueroa. (Photo by Aaron Ogawa) 
Voice actor Saori Hayami performing a live dub of Shinobu Kochou from “Demon Slayer.” (Photo by Aaron Ogawa) 
Aoi Yūki performing a live dub of Mao Mao from “The Apothecary Diaries.” (Photo by Aaron Ogawa) 
“The Apothecary Diaries” voice actors Aoi Yūki and Takeo Otsuka performing a live dub. (Photo by Aaron Ogawa) 
Attendees waiting outside Crypto.com Arena for the “Jujutsu Kaisen” panel. (Photo by Aaron Ogawa) 
Convention goers taking the Metro E line to get to and leave the convention. (Photo by Aaron Ogawa) 
Attendees lining up at the Metro Pico station to leave. (Photo by Aaron Ogawa)
After four long days of the convention featuring exciting news and making new friendships, Anime Expo 2026 closed its doors. For hundreds of thousands of people, the convention brings together all types of anime fans under the roof of the Los Angeles convention center.