“AnimeJapan 2026,” one of the world’s largest anime events, confirmed for March 28–31, 2026 at Tokyo Big Sight

The AnimeJapan Organization has announced that AnimeJapan 2026, one of the world’s largest anime events, will be held over four days from March 28 to 31, 2026, at Tokyo Big Sight. Now in its 13th edition, the event will expand into the South Exhibition Halls and the Rooftop Exhibition Area, marking the largest footprint in its history. The previous edition in 2025 welcomed more than 150,000 visitors from Japan and overseas, creating a vibrant atmosphere. A wide-ranging program is planned again this year, and expectations are high.
*Updated on January 8, 2026

AnimeJapan 2026 — Event Outline

Public Days: March 28–29

The Public Days will be held over two days on Saturday–Sunday, March 28–29, 2026. The venue spans Tokyo Big Sight’s East Exhibition Halls, South Exhibition Halls, and the Rooftop Exhibition Area. Opening hours are 9:00–17:00. Plans include exhibitor booths for general attendees, AJ stages, organizer-led programs, and official merchandise sales.

Business Days: March 30–31

The Business Days will take place on Monday–Tuesday, March 30–31, 2026, as areas dedicated to meetings and business activities. The venue is the Tokyo Big Sight Conference Tower. Hours are 10:00–18:00 on March 30 and 10:00–17:00 on March 31. In addition to exhibitor booths, there will be business seminars and the Anime Business Concierge.

Family Anime Festa 2026

Family Anime Festa 2026 will be held on the same dates as the Public Days, Saturday–Sunday, March 28–29, in the South Exhibition Halls. Admission is free, with family-friendly exhibits and stages, character greetings, and workshops planned.

Exhibitor Lineup Announced: Over 120 Companies, the Largest in Event History

AnimeJapan 2026 will welcome more than 120 exhibitors, marking the largest exhibitor lineup since the event’s launch. The exhibitor roster includes leading Japanese animation and content companies such as Aniplex, KADOKAWA, TOHO animation, Bandai Namco Filmworks, Toei Animation, and DMM.com, among many others.
In addition to the Public Days, where visitors can enjoy corporate booths, popular title stages, and official programs, the event will also feature Business Days dedicated to anime-related business meetings and networking. The Family Anime Festa 2026, designed for families and younger audiences, will be held concurrently. This multi-layered structure highlights AnimeJapan’s ability to engage a wide range of participants, from fans to industry professionals.

Key Visual Revealed and Sakurazaka46 Appointed as Event Ambassador

A newly released key visual bringing together characters from 22 different titles has been unveiled as the symbolic image of AnimeJapan 2026. It was also announced that Sakurazaka46 will continue their role as official ambassadors for a second consecutive year. Through appearances at award ceremonies, stage events, and active engagement on social media platforms, the group is expected to promote the appeal of AnimeJapan to anime fans both in Japan and overseas.

In addition, “AnimeJapan KICKOFF 2026” will premiere on the official YouTube channel at 20:00 on January 16. The program will reveal the latest information, including the AJ Stage lineup. Ticket details, including premium admission tickets and stage application ticket packages, will also be released in stages starting on the same day, signaling the full-scale launch of preparations for the event.

As AnimeJapan continues to grow as an international hub for the content industry, its role now extends beyond that of a fan-focused event. It has become a key platform where IP business, international collaboration, and talent exchange intersect. With its largest-ever venue scale, exhibitor count, and content volume, AnimeJapan 2026 is expected to further strengthen its position as a global showcase for Japanese content.

AnimeJapan 2026 Website https://anime-japan.jp/en/

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Launch of the “New Creator Award” to Discover the Next Generation of Anime Talent

A new initiative, the “New Creator Award,” will debut as a short-form animation competition for students enrolled at domestic educational institutions, subsidized by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs. The award aims to increase students’ motivation to produce animation and to encourage the introduction of practice-oriented curricula within educational institutions. Winning works will be delivered to audiences worldwide via domestic and international streaming platforms, serving as a gateway to professional careers.

AnimeJapan 2025 — Key Figures

AnimeJapan 2025 attracted approximately 150,000 visitors in total, including the Business Days—the largest turnout to date. Roughly one in ten attendees came from overseas, underscoring its status as a global event. The venue hosted 116 exhibiting companies and organizations, and a total of 52 programs were held across four stages.

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