Anime NYC 2026 Sets Kagurabachi Premiere, yama Concert and Expanded Fan Experiences
Anime NYC will return to the Javits Center from August 20–23 for its biggest year yet. The four-day convention is expected to draw more than 150,000 attendees and will feature anime premieres, concerts, guest appearances, and expanded fan programming across the venue.
That growth will be reflected throughout the event, starting with a sold-out exhibit hall featuring hundreds of exhibitors. Artist Alley, Destination Cosplay, and the Japanese Food Hall presented by Dream Asia will also return, alongside companies including Netflix, Crunchyroll, Aniplex, Shueisha, VIZ Media, Kodansha, Warner Bros. Japan, GKIDS, HIDIVE, Yen Press, and Bandai Namco Filmworks.
The guest lineup covers anime, live-action adaptations, music, and online creators. One Piece stars Mackenyu and Taz Skylar will appear alongside Naruto voice actor Junko Takeuchi, Attack on Titan and Haikyu!! actor Yuki Kaji, Kaiju No. 8 lead Masaya Fukunishi, and Chainsaw Man actor Tomori Kusunoki. Johnny Yong Bosch, Maile Flanagan, Ironmouse, and Japanese singer yama are also scheduled to attend.
“Anime NYC has always been a celebration of the global anime community, and this year we’re proud to deliver our largest event ever,” Anime NYC Event Director MK Goodwin said, noting the lineup reflects anime’s continued international growth.
Kagurabachi and Netflix Lead the Premiere Lineup
Several of the weekend’s most anticipated programs will center on upcoming anime projects. On Saturday, Anime NYC will host the New York premiere of the Kagurabachi adaptation, giving audiences an early look at the first 20 minutes of Episode 1 as part of the series’ Anime World Tour.
Netflix will begin the convention’s Main Stage programming Thursday evening with exclusive debuts, previews and surprises tied to the highly anticipated Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2, as well as SAKAMOTO DAYS Season 2, LEGO One Piece and additional titles.
Friday’s Kaiju No. 8 panel will bring together Fukunishi, composer Yuta Bandoh and producer Shunsuke Yanagisawa to revisit Season 2. The presentation will also include a live dubbing performance and the world premiere of the three-minute original short “Narumi’s Week at Work.”
The following day, Kaji and producer Hibiki Saito will lead a special Haikyu!! event featuring behind-the-scenes stories, fan questions and a look at the series’ future following The Dumpster Battle. HATSUNE MIKU: COLORFUL STAGE! will receive its own fan meeting later Saturday, with Tomori Kusunoki and Rui Tanabe joining the program for conversation and music.
Concerts and New Experiences Broaden the Event
Music will remain another major part of Anime NYC’s programming. yama will make their first East Coast appearance during a separately ticketed Friday concert on the Main Stage, bringing a catalog that includes “Haru wo Tsugeru” and the SPY×FAMILY ending theme “Shikisai.”
Ironmouse will headline a separately ticketed concert Thursday night, while hololive English talents and Ginger Root are also included in the wider performance schedule. Then on Sunday, the convention will debut Big Apple Idol Fest, a concert-style showcase inspired by Japan’s multi-artist taiban events.
This year will also introduce a Family Zone presented by Scholastic and the Anime NYC x X Tracks Licensing Summit. Play NYC returns with a selection of independent games available to preview, and the third annual American Manga Awards will take place Thursday evening at Japan Society.
Additional Sunday programming includes a joint spotlight with Bryce Papenbrook and Cristina Vee, who will discuss their work across anime, animation and video games.
If that's enough to entice you, limited four-day, Thursday, Friday and Sunday badges remain available through Anime NYC’s official website.
