AnimeJapan

AnimeJapan is the anime industry's biggest annual showcase — the event where the studios themselves put on the show. Formed in 2014 from the merger of two earlier expos, it has drawn well over 100,000 visitors a year and become the calendar's marquee moment for first looks at the coming season's anime. A notable change for 2027: after years at Tokyo Big Sight, AnimeJapan moves to INTEX Osaka for its 2027 and 2028 editions, with the 2027 event running March 26–28 (public days on the 27th and 28th).

Where Comiket is grassroots and fan-made, AnimeJapan is polished and corporate in the best sense. The show floor is dominated by enormous studio booths — the likes of Toei, Aniplex, Bandai and the streaming platforms — competing to out-do each other with elaborate builds, exclusive merchandise and stage schedules stacked with voice actors, directors and musical guests. It's the place to catch trailers and announcements for the next year of anime before the rest of the world, and to feel the commercial engine of the industry up close.

Around the studio stages you'll find creator talks, an area dedicated to up-and-coming talent and aspiring animators, a strong cosplay presence, and a business-focused programme that draws industry professionals from around the globe. It's as much a trade event as a fan festival, which gives it a distinct energy from the country's more fan-driven cons.

INTEX Osaka sits on Osaka's bay in the Suminoe ward, reachable by the city's subway and rail network, and Osaka's Kansai International Airport connects it widely; the move gives fans in western Japan — and international visitors pairing the trip with Kyoto and Nara — a far easier journey than the Tokyo editions. Late March is a beautiful time to visit, often coinciding with cherry-blossom season across the Kansai region.

Scale is part of the appeal: recent editions have packed the halls with well over a hundred thousand visitors, multiple stages running at once, and a dedicated Family Anime Festa area aimed at younger fans. For anyone who follows the industry rather than just the shows, it's the single best weekend of the year to take the temperature of what's coming next.

For a geek traveler, AnimeJapan makes a superb anchor for a western-Japan trip: the neon and street food of Osaka's Dotonbori, the temples of Kyoto and the deer of Nara are all close at hand. Tickets are sold by day through the official site and ticketing partners, with the biggest stage events often requiring advance lottery entry, so plan the panels you care about ahead of time and check the official AnimeJapan site for the schedule, guests and ticketing as the date approaches.