North America’s Largest Celebration of Japanese Pop Culture Features 1,000+ Hours of Programming and Welcomes Sold Out Crowds and 400+ Exhibitors
LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#AX2023–Anime Expo 2023 (AX 2023), has opened today and will run until July 4 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, bringing together global fans and industry professionals for the largest celebration of Japanese pop culture in North America. Now in its 32nd year, AX 2023 is hosted by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA). The sold-out four-day convention features a 300,000+ sq. ft Exhibit Hall and 1,000+ hours of programming, and will welcome attendees from more than 60 countries upon the city of Los Angeles.
AX 2023 will play host to a series of blockbuster announcements, interactive events and more from iconic leaders in Japanese entertainment, music, fashion and video games. During the four-day event, attendees can explore new products and projects from more than 400 exhibitors representing the biggest names in anime, manga, games and entertainment. Fans can come to the Bushiroad, FigPin, Grand Archive, Hot Topic, SEGA and official Anime Expo merchandise booths to purchase special, Anime Expo-exclusive collectible items from their favorite anime series.
“For more than 30 years, Anime Expo has been a beacon for fans and admirers of Japanese pop culture. The most amazing part of AX is how it brings together thousands of diverse fans from all over the world to celebrate and share their love of anime, manga, music, fashion and more,” said Ray Chiang, CEO of SPJA. “Each year, we are honored to welcome some of the most talented artists, storytellers and creators to Los Angeles. We’re excited to see old friends and meet new ones who are united in our love of the compelling, colorful and entertaining art of anime.”
Beyond the exhibition floor, Anime Expo-goers can take part in blockbuster world premieres, and attend sessions featuring a luminary list of Guests of Honor that includes some of the biggest names in anime and manga. Among the festivities are ticketed events (which require a separate ticket purchase) including ATLUS’s Shin Megami Tensei 30th Live: Band of Shadows concert that will celebrate the acclaimed game series with iconic tracks from the games, the electrifying return of the Neon District concert headlined by DJ Diesel (a.k.a. Shaquille O’Neal) and m-flo’s Taku Takahashi, and the AX Summer Fest headlined by acclaimed Japanese rock bands Cö shu Nie and mili.
A number of free onsite events include the live entertainment and refreshing beverages of the Beer Garden, the eclectic live entertainment of the Community Stage, and the comfortable Lounge21 (attendees music be age 21 or over with valid ID) with drinks music, giveaways and special guests. Guests are also welcome to offer donations to AX’s 2023 Charity Recipient to support Kizuna, the youth-development nonprofit organization based in Little Tokyo that provides cultural programs to educate, empower, and engage the next generation of community leaders.
Visitors can download the Anime Expo mobile app for on their smartphone to access up-to-date schedule info, maps, guest information, exhibitor list, artist alley list, and more. For more details on Anime Expo 2023, please visit the official AX website, and follow the official social channels for regular updates via Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
About SPJA
SPJA is a non-profit organization dedicated to popularize and educate the public about Japanese entertainment and pop culture, as well as provide a forum to facilitate learning between professionals and fans. For more information, please visit www.spja.org.
About Anime Expo
Anime Expo (AX) brings together fans and industry from Japan, the US, and all over the world for the largest celebration of Japanese pop culture in North America. Taking place every year since 1992, Anime Expo features the best in Japanese animation, popular art, entertainment, music, fashion, and video games.
For more information, visit www.anime-expo.org.
Contacts
Hiro Ito
fortyseven communications on behalf of Anime Expo
animeexpo@fortyseven.com
