Anime NYC

Anime NYC
Name	Anime NYC
Status	Active
Genre	Anime, Manga, Japanese Pop Culture
Venue	Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
Location	New York City, New York, United States
First	2017
Organizer	LeftField Media
Attendance	60,000+ (peak reported)

Anime NYC is an annual anime and Japanese popular culture convention held in New York City, featuring exhibitions, programming tracks, guest appearances, and a large exhibitor hall. The event brings together fans of Studio Ghibli, Shonen Jump, Kadokawa Corporation, Crunchyroll, and Viz Media alongside vendors, cosplayers, and industry professionals from Toei Animation, Production I.G, and Aniplex. Modeled after conventions such as Anime Expo, New York Comic Con, and Otakon, it has become a major gathering in the Northeastern United States for enthusiasts of manga, light novel publishers, and voice acting talent associated with Funimation and Sentai Filmworks.

History

Anime NYC was inaugurated in 2017 by organizer LeftField Media, joining a landscape of conventions that includes New York Comic Con, Anime Expo and regional shows like Anime Boston and FanimeCon. Early iterations featured programming linked to distributors such as Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Aniplex of America, and partnerships with retailers like Right Stuf Anime and Kinokuniya USA. The convention expanded in response to demand from communities active around MangaNEXT, Comiket-inspired markets, and the broader U.S. localization boom driven by companies including Kodansha USA and Yen Press. Like many events, Anime NYC adapted its schedule and operations during the global disruptions that affected San Diego Comic-Con and the broader events calendar, implementing changes aligned with public-health guidance and venue policies.

Organization and Programming

The convention is produced by LeftField Media, which also manages genre events in collaboration with partners including Crunchyroll Expo affiliates and exhibitors representing Bandai Namco Entertainment, Sony Music Entertainment Japan, and Aniplex. Programming spans tracks devoted to voice acting panels featuring talent from agencies such as FUNimation (now part of Sony Pictures Entertainment workflows) and independent performers with credits in Neon Genesis Evangelion, Naruto, and My Hero Academia adaptations. Panels and workshops routinely involve publishers like VIZ Media, Kodansha USA, Yen Press, and Vertical, Inc.; licensors such as Sentai Filmworks; and music labels tied to anisong artists represented by Lantis and Nippon Columbia. The event hosts screenings in cooperation with licensors and platforms including Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and theatrical distributors that present titles previously seen at festivals such as Anime Expo and Fantasia International Film Festival.

Attendance and Economic Impact

Attendance figures reported by organizers place peak daily turnouts in the tens of thousands, comparable to other major conventions like Anime Expo and regional shows such as Anime Boston. The influx of attendees supports local businesses around the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and borough attractions in Manhattan, benefitting hotels affiliated with chains like Marriott International and Hilton Worldwide. Economic impact analyses of similar conventions, including studies on New York Comic Con and SXSW, suggest substantial visitor spending on accommodations, dining at establishments near Times Square and the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, transportation via the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and retail purchases from vendors including Tokyo Otaku Mode and Crunchyroll Store. Tourism bodies such as NYC & Company often track convention-related visitation, which influences scheduling and city services tied to large-scale events.

Guests and Events

High-profile guests have included voice actors, creators, and musicians associated with franchises like Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, One Piece, and Sailor Moon. Panels have featured collaborators from studios including MAPPA, Bones (studio), and Studio BONES, as well as manga artists affiliated with Shueisha and Shogakukan. Concert events have showcased anisong performers signed to labels such as Avex Group and agencies managing acts who tour internationally at conventions alongside events like Anime Expo and Crunchyroll Expo. The convention also hosts cosplay contests judged by figures connected with publications like Otaku USA Magazine and creators from online platforms including Pixiv and DeviantArt. Charity initiatives and community programming frequently partner with organizations such as Muscular Dystrophy Association and fandom-driven drives seen at events like PAX.

Venue and Location

The primary venue is the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on the West Side of Manhattan, proximate to transit hubs serving Penn Station and the Port Authority Bus Terminal. The Javits Center is a frequent host for major events including New York Comic Con and trade shows like BookExpo America, offering exhibit halls, ballrooms, and screening rooms suitable for large-scale programming. Surrounding neighborhoods including Chelsea and Hell's Kitchen provide hotels, restaurants, and ancillary event spaces; attendees also access cultural institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum when visiting the city.

Controversies and Incidents

Like many large conventions, the event has encountered logistical and community challenges reported in fan forums and local press, mirroring disputes that have appeared at events such as San Diego Comic-Con and New York Comic Con. Issues have included crowd management, badgeing and ticketing problems, vendor floor policies involving exhibitors similar to those debated at Comiket derivatives, and disputes over cosplay enforcement that echo controversies in other fandoms. Public-health measures and emergency response protocols at mass gatherings—topics also scrutinized during events like SXSW and E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo)—have shaped organizer decisions. Security incidents and accessibility complaints have prompted changes in policies overseen by event staff and venue management to align with stakeholder expectations from partners including LeftField Media and municipal authorities.

Category:Anime conventions in the United States