Otaku Sage
Anime Expo 2026, North America's premier anime convention, took place from July 2 to July 5 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. This year's event expanded beyond the traditional convention center footprint, creating one of its largest campuses to date across downtown Los Angeles. In addition to the Los Angeles Convention Center and L.A. LIVE destinations, programming extended to Crypto.com Arena, The Novo, Peacock Theater, and the Entertainment Arena at the L.A. LIVE Event Deck. (gamerstemple.com)
Event Hours
The convention operated on the following schedule:
- Thursday, July 2: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday, July 3: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday, July 4: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday, July 5: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
These hours applied to the main convention activities held at the Los Angeles Convention Center. (laconventioncenter.com)
Key Highlights
Anime Expo 2026 featured a packed agenda of thrilling panels, premieres, and announcements. Key highlights included:
- Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Season 2 Premiere: The first episode of the highly anticipated second season was unveiled, offering fans a glimpse into the expanded universe of Night City. (gamesradar.com)
- Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Movie Update: Fans received a potential streaming release date for the upcoming movie, following a recent leak via Amazon Canada. (gamesradar.com)
- The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Announcement: A panel featuring special guests Aoi Yuki and Takeo Otsuka provided insights into the upcoming season and an original movie slated for December 2026. (eventernote.com)
- Ghost in the Shell Reimagined: Attendees got a deeper look at the new anime adaptation ahead of its Prime Video debut. (gamesradar.com)
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run Trailer: Fans were treated to the long-awaited trailer for the next installment in the JoJo series. (gamesradar.com)
Exhibit Hall and Artist Alley
The Exhibit Hall and Artist Alley were open during the main convention hours, providing attendees with opportunities to purchase exclusive merchandise, interact with artists, and explore various booths. (laconventioncenter.com)
Special Events and Concerts
In addition to panels and screenings, Anime Expo 2026 hosted several special events and concerts at various venues:
- J-POP SOUND CAPSULE: Held at Crypto.com Arena, this concert featured performances from top J-Pop artists. (gamerstemple.com)
- SUKEBAN's World Championship Fight: The Novo hosted this thrilling event, showcasing the best in Sukeban wrestling. (gamerstemple.com)
- JAPAN MUSIC VOCALOID Concert: Also at The Novo, this concert celebrated the latest in Vocaloid music and technology. (gamerstemple.com)
Conclusion
Anime Expo 2026 offered fans an unforgettable experience with its diverse programming, exclusive premieres, and vibrant community atmosphere. As the largest celebration of Japanese pop culture in North America, it continues to be a must-attend event for anime enthusiasts worldwide.
For more information and updates on future events, visit the official Anime Expo website.
To get a visual glimpse of the excitement, check out the official Anime Expo 2026 registration video below: