For the past five years, professionals, anime fans have gathered at Tokyo Big Sight for the annual AnimeJapan to share the latest trends and releases from the Japanese animation industry. This year, 150,000 visitors came to AnimeJapan 2018, which took place from 22 to 25 March. Spread over eight large halls, the convention caters to everyone — from fans eager to buy merchandise, to cosplayers, or even music lovers. The Family AnimeFesta area welcomes children so they can also enjoy the event with their family. Each year, the buzz surrounding the release dates of the latest works by industry giants like Aniplex, KLabGames, and Netflix are highly anticipated. But what makes this event original is the possibility of discovering a whole hidden facet of the animation industry: the many professions that support anime, from production to promotion. This makes it possible to meet the voice actors of your favorite heroes, and to attend conferences on the marketing plan of a certain series. It is also common to meet students wearing suits who go to the stands to apply for jobs at these companies. Whether it's to discover the latest news, buy an exclusive gadget, or find your future career, don't be too disappointed if you missed the convention this year. The organizers have already announced the dates for AnimeJapan 2019 — 21 to 23 March 2019. Stay informed of the latest news of the event on the official website.

Getting there

Take the Yurikamome Line to Kokusai-Tenjijo-Seimon Station, or the Rinkai Line to Kokusai-Tenjijo Station and walk approximately 7 minutes.

by Marie Wermeille