The world's largest anime event, "AnimeJapan 2026," was held on March 28th and 29th at Tokyo Big Sight (Koto Ward, Tokyo), and it has been reported that a record-breaking 156,000 people attended over the two days. More than 130 booths were exhibited, the largest number ever, and a total of 50 stage events were held. Many anime fans from both Japan and abroad attended.
"AnimeJapan" has been held at Tokyo Big Sight (Koto Ward, Tokyo) since 2014. Due to measures taken in response to the spread of the new coronavirus, it was canceled in 2020 and held online only in 2021. "AnimeJapan 2025," held in March 2025, attracted approximately 152,400 visitors over the two public days.
The 13th annual "AnimeJapan 2026" was held from March 28th to 31st. Public days were the 28th and 29th, and business days were the 30th and 31st. The "Family Anime Festa 2026," aimed at families and children, was also held on the 28th and 29th. There were over 200 exhibitors in total. Approximately 300 works were featured, and more than 300 voice actors and staff members made appearances.
It was also announced that the 2027 and 2028 events will be held in Osaka. After being held in Tokyo for 13 years since 2014, this will be the first time the event is held in Osaka. With the support of the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, the aim is to promote the appeal of anime to the world from Osaka and strengthen the anime-centered content industry in Japan. "AnimeJapan 2027" will be held from March 27th to 30th, 2027. The public days, March 27th and 28th, will be held at Intex Osaka (Suminoe-ku, Osaka), while the venue for the business days, March 29th and 30th, is still being finalized.
The idol group Sakurazaka46, who served as ambassadors for the event, said, "Thank you for 'AnimeJapan 2026'! The quality of each booth was high, and the charm of the works really came through. The food park was also great and very well-equipped! We were able to enjoy ourselves a lot again this year! Thank you!"
The organizers commented, "AnimeJapan 2026 has successfully concluded thanks to the support of many exhibitors and fans who attended. The event provided an opportunity to rediscover the charm of anime, with many encounters with works, new discoveries, and interactions taking place. The organizers would like to express their sincere gratitude to everyone who participated. AnimeJapan 2027 and AnimeJapan 2028 will be held in Osaka to deliver the charm of anime to even more people. We will prepare to deliver an even more evolved AnimeJapan to those who have attended in the past, and to deliver new surprises and discoveries to those in Western Japan as the 'world's largest anime event.' With the idea that 'Everything about anime is here,' we will transmit the charm of anime to the world from this new stage in Osaka."
