The Biggest Anime Conventions in the World (2027 Guide)

Anime Goes Global: The World's Biggest Anime Conventions

What began in Japanese community halls is now a worldwide phenomenon. Anime, manga and their surrounding culture fuel some of the largest fan gatherings on the planet — events where hundreds of thousands of people queue for exclusive merch, watch world premieres, meet the artists and voice actors behind their favorite series, and turn entire convention districts into open-air cosplay runways.

If you're a fan who loves to travel — or a traveler who loves anime — these conventions are destinations in their own right. Below is a guide to the biggest and best anime conventions around the world, grouped by region, with the numbers that matter and tips on planning a trip around each. Nearly every one sits in a city worth visiting on its own.

The World's Biggest Anime Conventions at a Glance

Japan: The Birthplace

Comiket (Tokyo) — the biggest of them all

There is no anime event on Earth like Comiket (Comic Market). Held twice a year, in August and December, at the enormous Tokyo Big Sight, it has drawn upwards of 750,000 attendees across a single run — making it not just the largest anime convention but one of the largest fan gatherings anywhere. Running since 1975, Comiket's beating heart is dōjinshi: self-published, fan-made manga sold by tens of thousands of independent circles. It's less a commercial expo than a sprawling celebration of fan creativity, with a legendary (and legendarily hardcore) cosplay scene outside the halls. If you make one anime pilgrimage in your life, Tokyo in Comiket season is it.

AnimeJapan

Also at Tokyo Big Sight — and moving to INTEX Osaka for its 2027–28 editions — AnimeJapan (each March) is the industry's showcase — 100,000+ visitors, huge studio booths, stage events with voice actors, and first looks at the coming year's anime. Where Comiket is grassroots and fan-made, AnimeJapan is where the studios themselves put on the show. Together they bookend the calendar in the world's anime capital.

North America

Anime Expo (Los Angeles)

Anime Expo is the largest celebration of Japanese pop culture in North America, taking over the Los Angeles Convention Center every Fourth of July weekend and drawing well over 100,000 fans a day — hundreds of thousands across its four days. Expect world premieres, Japanese musical guests, an enormous exhibit hall and Artist Alley, and the LA Live plaza transformed into a rolling cosplay showcase. It's the anchor of the North American anime calendar.

Anime NYC and the rest

On the East Coast, Anime NYC has rocketed to around 150,000 attendees, making it the region's largest. Beyond the two coasts, the US has a deep bench of beloved shows — Otakon (Washington, D.C.), Anime Central (Chicago) and Sakura-Con (Seattle) among them — so wherever you land in the States, an anime con is rarely far away.

Europe

Japan Expo (Paris)

Japan Expo Paris is the largest Japanese-culture festival outside Japan, with 250,000+ visitors filling the Paris-Nord Villepinte halls each July. It spans anime, manga, gaming and traditional Japanese culture, and France's decades-long love affair with manga gives it an atmosphere all its own. Pair it with a few days in Paris and you have a near-perfect summer trip.

MCM London and Manga Barcelona

Across the Channel, MCM Comic Con London is one of Europe's biggest pop-culture events and a magnet for anime and cosplay fans. Down in Spain, Manga Barcelona is one of the continent's largest manga-focused gatherings. Europe's anime scene is thriving well beyond Paris.

Asia-Pacific (Beyond Japan)

Anime Festival Asia (Singapore)

Anime Festival Asia (AFA) is Southeast Asia's flagship anime convention, built on a strong music-and-stage program — its "I Love Anisong" concerts have hosted many of the biggest names in anime music. Held in ultra-connected, easy-to-visit Singapore, it pulls fans from across the region.

Bangkok's double bill

Bangkok punches above its weight with two big events: AFA Thailand, the Thai edition of Anime Festival Asia, and Japan Expo Thailand — the largest festival of Japanese culture in Southeast Asia, free to enter, filling CentralWorld in the heart of the city. Cheap to reach and packed with food and sights, Bangkok is one of the best-value anime-con trips going.

How to Choose Your First Anime Con

Match the event to what you want most:

1. Fan-made culture & sheer scale → Comiket (Tokyo).

2. Industry reveals & studio spectacle → AnimeJapan (Tokyo) or Anime Expo (Los Angeles).

3. Music, concerts & stage shows → Anime Festival Asia (Singapore or Bangkok).

4. Anime plus a world-class city break → Japan Expo (Paris) or Anime Expo (Los Angeles).

A few universal tips: buy tickets early, because the biggest cons and their premium passes sell out; book hotels the moment you commit, especially around Comiket and Anime Expo; bring a portable charger, comfortable shoes and some cash for artists and small vendors; and if you're cosplaying, check each event's rules on props and changing areas in advance.

A word on etiquette, especially in Japan: Comiket runs on famously disciplined queues, so line up early, follow the staff's directions and never run for a table. Photographing cosplayers is welcome, but always ask first and use the designated cosplay areas rather than changing in restrooms. And carry cash — many doujin circles and small vendors are cash-only, even as the rest of Japan goes cashless.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest anime convention in the world?

Comiket, held twice a year at Tokyo Big Sight, is the largest — drawing well over 500,000 attendees across a single run, far more than any other. Its focus on fan-made doujinshi makes it as much a cultural phenomenon as a convention.

What is the biggest anime convention outside Japan?

Japan Expo in Paris, with 250,000+ visitors, is the largest Japanese-culture festival outside Japan. In North America, Anime Expo in Los Angeles is the biggest, topping 100,000 fans a day.

Do I need to speak Japanese to attend an anime convention in Japan?

No. Events like Comiket and AnimeJapan are navigable without Japanese — signage and catalogs often include some English, and the community is welcoming — but a few basic phrases and a translation app make queuing, shopping and cosplay etiquette much smoother.

When is anime convention season?

It runs year-round but clusters in spring and summer: March (AnimeJapan, Sakura-Con), May (Anime Central), July (Anime Expo, Japan Expo) and August (Anime NYC, Otakon, Summer Comiket), with Winter Comiket closing the year in late December.

How much do anime convention badges cost?

It varies widely. Japan's Comiket is free to enter (you pay only for the catalog and goods), while a multi-day badge at a big Western con like Anime Expo or Anime NYC typically runs from around US$60 to US$150, with premium tiers higher. Book early — the biggest events and their premium passes sell out well in advance.

Which anime convention is best for a first-timer?

For spectacle with easy English support, Anime Expo (Los Angeles) or Japan Expo (Paris) are great starts. For the ultimate bucket-list trip, nothing beats Comiket in Tokyo — just go prepared for crowds, dawn queues and a cash-only floor.

Plan Your Anime Pilgrimage

The best part of anime fandom going global is that there's now a world-class convention on nearly every continent — and each one is an excuse to see a new city. Browse our full events calendar for confirmed dates and guides, pick the con that fits your travel plans, and start the countdown. Wherever you go, you'll find your people — in costume, in line, and having the time of their lives.