ANIME NYC 2026
Event Date
August 20–23, 2026
Location
New York, NY
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryAnime NYC is New York City's premier anime convention and the largest anime event on the East Coast. A showcase of the best of Japanese pop culture in the biggest city in America, Anime NYC brings anime fans and publishers together for unique exhibits, exclusive screenings, extensive panels, and appearances by some of the biggest creators in Japan. Held over four days at the Javits Center, it celebrates Japanese animation, manga, cosplay, and gaming in the heart of Manhattan.
Anime NYC is the largest anime convention on the East Coast, in the biggest city in the US, bringing together 150K fans from around the world for four days of excitement, showcasing the best of Japanese pop culture with unique exhibits, exclusive screenings and experiences, and appearances by top creators from Japan and beyond.
The show is open to everyone — from longtime anime and manga fans, cosplayers, and collectors to families and first-time convention-goers. With one of the largest vendor halls in North America, a bustling Artist Alley, gaming zones, concerts, and industry announcements, it offers something for casual fans and serious enthusiasts alike.
Show Highlights
Anime NYC delivers a packed program of fan experiences and industry events across four days:
- Programming: Over 150 hours of panels, screenings, and special events featuring guests from America and Japan, manga and anime publishers, premiere screenings, and talks from fellow fans.
- Guests of Honor & Featured Guests: Top Japanese creators, voice actors, directors, and musicians, including announced names such as Eiko Kadono (author of Kiki's Delivery Service), voice actor Yuki Kaji, and voice actress Tomori Kusunoki.
- Concerts & Special Events: Marquee music and stage events including Club Ironmouse, a yama East Coast concert, hololive @ Anime NYC, and the Big Apple Idol Fest (some require a separate ticket).
- Signature Zones: Destination Cosplay, the Gaming & Community Hall, a Japanese Food Court, Maid Craft Cafe, Pinpalooza, and a new Family Zone presented by Scholastic.
- Professional Track: The American Manga Awards, the Anime NYC & X Tracks Licensing Summit, and librarian & educator programming.
- VTubers: Dedicated VTuber programming and appearances.
Attendance
Anime NYC's official site describes the event as drawing 150K fans from around the world for four days. In its earlier years the show grew rapidly; Anime NYC 2018 attracted 36,000 fans to the Javits Center. The convention draws a national and international audience of anime and manga fans, cosplayers, artists, gamers, collectors, and families.
Registration
All attendees purchase a badge to attend. ANYC+, 4-Day, and single day badges are on sale now. Badges are purchased online through the official Anime NYC ticketing site (Leap Conventions).
Badge pricing (mailed badge, before tax and postage):
- Anime NYC+: $475 (all-access with premium perks) — sold out; waitlist available
- 4-Day: $175 (best value)
- Thursday: $55
- Friday: $68
- Saturday: $68 — sold out; waitlist available
- Sunday: $68
- Sunday Kids (ages 6–12, pickup only): $15
New for 2026, a Kids Sunday ticket is available for fans ages 6 to 12, and children 0–5 are free all four days. All attendees 6-years-old and up need a badge to take part in Anime NYC, while children 5-years-old and under are welcome without a badge. Note that all prices are subject to 8.875% New York sales tax. All badge sales are final, and Anime NYC offers no refunds or cancellations. Badges could be mailed for orders placed through July 18; after that, retailer or on-site pickup applies.
History
Anime NYC was created by LeftField Media, and its first edition took place in 2017. LeftField Media was founded by the creators of New York Comic Con and also runs Washington DC's Awesome Con; New York was chosen for the event due to its lack of a large anime convention. The first Anime NYC took over a year to plan and used two halls in the convention center, and in the convention's first year they did not use the amount of space used by New York Comic Con.
The show grew quickly. New York City declared an Anime NYC Weekend for the 2017 convention. Anime NYC added more floor space in 2018, with additional expansion planned in 2019, and also hosted Anisong World Matsuri at the Hammerstein Ballroom. In 2019, Anime NYC used all of the Javits main event space, and Artists Alley was moved into the dealer's hall, which was doubled in size. Today it is billed as the largest anime convention on the East Coast. Anime NYC is part of the Clarion Events family.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Anime NYC 2026?
Anime NYC 2026 takes place August 20–23, 2026 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, located at 445 11th Ave, New York, NY 10001, on Manhattan's West Side.
What are the show hours?
Hours are Thursday 1 PM–8 PM, Friday 10 AM–7 PM, Saturday 10 AM–7 PM, and Sunday 10 AM–4 PM. Panels run until 10:00 PM Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
How do I buy tickets, and how much do they cost?
Badges are sold online through the official Anime NYC ticketing site. Mailed prices (before tax and fees) include $175 for a 4-Day, $475 for the premium Anime NYC+ badge, and $55–$68 for single-day badges, plus a $15 Sunday Kids ticket for ages 6–12. All badge sales are final with no refunds.
Who should attend Anime NYC?
Anime NYC is open to everyone, including anime and manga fans, cosplayers, artists, gamers, collectors, families, and first-time convention-goers. All attendees ages 6 and up need a badge, while children 5 and under are free.
How do I get to the Javits Center?
The 7 Train's Hudson Yards station is right across the street, and Penn Station and Grand Central are nearby. The venue has no on-site parking, so public transit, rideshare, or advance SpotHero parking reservations are recommended. The area is served by JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia airports.
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