What You Need to Know:
Anime fans across North America rejoiced once again at the 2024 Anime Expo, one of the continent's largest anime conventions, held from July 4 to July 7 in Los Angeles. Held from July 4 to July 7. The convention center was a bustling hub of activity, with attendees flocking to panels, and show premieres, and snapping photos of dazzling anime cosplayers.
As always, the presence of Kodansha was huge, this year giving the spotlight to their popular sports series Blue Lock.
Other popular Kodansha series had big eye-catching displays at AX this year including Shangri-La Frontier, Fairy Tail, and of course, One Piece.
It felt like Kodansha took over AX 2024, not only with their impressive displays but also strategically placing their manga booth directly in front of the doors which welcomed the 407K+ attendees to the main hall. But Kodansha wasn't the only major player making waves at AX 2024. Toho Animation's booth was a lively spot, inviting fans to sing and dance along to beloved anime opening and ending songs from shows like My Hero Academia and Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, and more.
Many booths featured elaborate photo props this year, offering fans unique photo ops with characters like sage mode Gamakichi from Naruto, characters from Metaphor: ReFantazio, a Goku vs. Jiren display for the DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO game, Frieren and her party members, numerous Demon Slayer character props, the iconic Swordfish II spaceship from Cowboy Bebop, and even a lucha arena where fans could pose with characters from Kinnikuman Perfect Origin Arc. Others caught people's attention by showing off their latest collections for sale, like OMOCAT and Good Smile.
And of course, no anime convention would be complete without the vibrant presence of cosplayers. AX 2024 saw many fans dressed as popular characters like Frieren, Sakura Kinomoto from CCS, Eevee, Magikarp and Pikachu from Pokemon, Shampoo from Ranma 1/2, and the entire party from Delicious in Dungeon.
If you missed the 33rd Anime Expo this year, don't worry! AX has already announced its return to the Los Angeles Anime Convention Center from July 3 to 6, 2025. And if you can't wait that long, you're in luck! The Ontario Convention Center will host Anime Expo Chibi on November 9 and 10. Don't miss out!
