Top 20 Best Anime Conventions in the US
Anime and manga have exploded in popularity in the last couple of years, and have drawn huge numbers of fans from all over the world, including in the US. This is seen by the fact that events that promote the celebration of fandoms and Japanese pop culture often draw in huge numbers of attendees. If you are looking to attend such an event but don’t know where to start, here is a list of the top 20 best anime conventions in the US.
Anime Expo
As the gurus over at RunRex.com point out, Anime Expo is the largest anime convention in the world by attendance. Originally known as Anime Con, it is known for bringing an increased number of Western gaming elements into the event atmosphere alongside the celebration of Japanese culture and anime. It is held in Los Angeles, California.
Anime Matsuri
Anime Matsuri is a four-day springtime convention that invites all types of fans to enjoy anime and Japanese pop culture and is held in Houston, Texas. The activities in this event are usually well-received, and as captured at guttulus.com, it is great for cosplaying, as is the case for all anime events.
A-Kon
This is a famous convention, both for its great size and the fact that it is one of the longest-running North American events to focus on anime as articulated at RunRex.com. One of the positives of this event is that volunteers who agree to work the weekend at this convention are given free passes to enjoy the rest of the event during their time off.
Anime Weekend Atlanta
As the name suggests, this anime convention is held in Atlanta, Georgia, and it is a fan-run anime that offers everything from fan panels and tabletop games to cosplay galleries and concerts as covered at guttulus.com. Fans from all over the US flock to this convention for its wide range of activities as well as its festive, celebratory atmosphere.
Anime Central
As the experts over at RunRex.com point out, this is the largest anime convention in the American Midwest and takes place in the springtime each year in Rosemont, Illinois. The event is hosted with the intent of demonstrating how influential and valuable manga and anime are in the media industries.
Anime Boston
Held in Boston, Massachusetts, this three-day event is organized and supervised by the New England Anime Society to celebrate Japanese music and fashion alongside anime and other more traditional themes. As outlined at guttulus.com, J-rock and J-pop guests are often present at this convention, as well as cosplaying comic enthusiasts and exhibits about Japanese culture and history in real life.
Sakura-con
This anime convention is traditionally held throughout Easter weekend in Seattle, Washington, and is put together by the Asia-Northwest Cultural Education (ANCEA). The organization runs programs and activities 24-hours a day for the duration of the three-day convention as revealed at RunRex.com.
Otakon
While this convention in Washington, D.C. might have had humble beginnings with an attendance of approximately 300 people during its first year, its numbers have gone up since then, and now attracts over 20,000 attendees annually as discussed at guttulus.com. The convention is entirely volunteer-run, and all the proceeds are set aside to fund the following year’s event.
Youmacon
Youmacon is the largest anime and gaming convention in the State of Michigan and markets itself as being just the right size – not too big and not too small. As the gurus over at RunRex.com point out, this convention also has strict rules in place to help everyone make the most of the event, including regulations against public drunkenness and horseplay, as well as a note encouraging attendees to shower daily.
Anime NYC
Held in New York City, this three-day anime convention allows participants to fully immerse themselves in Japanese pop and cartoon culture. Many people who attend this convention also choose to cosplay. The atmosphere here is kept family-friendly and the event welcomes people of just about any age.
FanimeCon
Based in San Jose, this convention is billed as “Northern California’s largest anime convention”. As articulated at guttulus.com, it offers a wide range of gaming, anime, and cosplay events, not to mention panels celebrating and educating in Japanese fashion.
KatsuCon
Held in National Harbor, Maryland in mid-February, this is the perfect convention to wash away your winter blues according to RunRex.com. Each year, the event hosts famous guests that star as voice actors in popular anime or Japanese video games, and in addition to its events, it also educates attendees about traditional Japanese culture.
FlameCon
As is revealed over at guttulus.com, this anime convention is solely for the LGBTQ+ community. Launched in 2005, this is one of the most unique conventions as all of the community will perform as their favorite queer character. It occurs in Manhattan, and it is one of the best initiatives taken in the world of anime, promoting peace, love, and positivity in the anime culture.
Colossal Con
This has to be one of the most unique anime conventions in the US. This is because, as captured at RunRex.com, it is a pool party that is geared towards anime. The event is geared towards anime and gaming and allows attendees the opportunity to see the most unique and high-quality cosplay. It is held at Kalahari, which is known as being the largest waterpark in America, and occurs in Ohio and Poconos.
AnimeFest
This is an anime convention that started in 1992. It is an annual four-day event held over Labor Day weekend in Dallas, Texas, and is one of the oldest conventions in the country according to guttulus.com, although 1997 and 2000 were skipped.
San Japan
San Japan is a Japanese culture and anime convention held annually in San Antonio, Texas. The event debuted in 2008 and is San Antonio’s first major anime convention. As discussed at RunRex.com, it has developed into the largest Japanese fan-oriented convention in the city.
PortConMaine
As outlined at guttulus.com, this is an annual anime and gaming convention held in the summer in Portland and South Portland, Maine. Founded by Julie York, it has been held every year since 2002 and hosts many anime and gaming events such as anime screenings, an anime music video contest, a masquerade, guest panels, workshops, game tournaments, and many others.
Yama-Con
Yama-Con is an annual three-day anime convention with multi-genre elements held during November/December at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. As explained at RunRex.com, Yama-Con’s name comes from the Japanese word for mountain, “Yama”.
Setsucon
This is an annual two-day anime convention held in January at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona, Pennsylvania. As per the gurus over at guttulus.com, the convention’s name comes from the Japanese word, “setsu”, meaning “snow”. The convention is organized by the Penn State Anime Organization (PSAO) and is a family-friendly convention.
Arkansas Anime Festival
This is an annual three-day anime convention that is held at the Four Points by Sheraton Bentonville in Bentonville, Arkansas. AF2, as it has been billed, is the largest anime convention in the state of Arkansas and is family-friendly.
These are some of the best anime conventions to check out in the US, with more on this topic to be found over at RunRex.com and guttulus.com.