Surf Wiki
Save to docs
geography/united-states

From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base

Anime Expo

Anime convention in Los Angeles

Anime Expo
Summary

Anime convention in Los Angeles

FieldValue
nameAnime Expo
logoAnime Expo logo.svg
statusActive
genre
venueLos Angeles Convention Center
locationLos Angeles, California, U.S.
coordinates
countryUnited States
first
last
next
organizerSociety for the Promotion of Japanese Animation
filingNon-profit
attendance110,000 (2018)
website
Attendees at AX 2022
Re:Zero]]'' [[cosplayers]] at AX 2018
Attendees gather at the LA Convention Center's South Hall during AX 2016.
People at Anime Expo 2015

Anime Expo, abbreviated AX, is an American anime convention held in Los Angeles, California, and organized by the non-profit Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA). The convention is traditionally held annually on the first weekend of July, spanning the course of four days. Anime Expo is regularly hosted at the Los Angeles Convention Center but has also been held in other cities such as Anaheim, San Jose, New York, and Tokyo.

Anime Expo has events and activities during the convention for attendees to take part in such as guest panels, tabletop gaming, competitions, an arcade, and concerts.

Convention history

History

[[Naruto]] meet-up at AX 2006

The first Anime Expo was held from July 3–6, 1992 at the Red Lion Hotel in San Jose, California. Many of its original staff came from Anime Con, an anime convention held in San Jose in 1991, and later absorbed by the SPJA in 1992. In 1994, Anime Expo made a strategic relocation to the Southern California area and all subsequent conventions have taken place there since.

It currently holds the title of North America's largest anime convention, a title which it has consistently held every year except in 2003, in which its attendance was slightly edged out by the east coast anime convention Otakon. From 1,750 attendees in 1992, Anime Expo's size has increased to over 107,658 in 2017, making Anime Expo the largest anime and manga convention in North America.

In March 2009, chief executive officer Trulee Karahashi, who had been a part of Anime Expo and SPJA in various capacities for 11 years, left the organization. In September, former Universal Studios executive Michael Lattanzio was later hired as the SPJA's new CEO.

In January 2010, eight members of Anime Expo's upper management team (ConCom) publicly resigned because of disagreements over the organization's new direction set forth by Lattanzio. One significant point of contention was Lattanzio's decision to refocus and restructure the SPJA's marketing efforts, starting with the dismissal of a PR and marketing contractor that the organization had a close working relationship with since 2004. Additionally, two other personnel had already left for other reasons, leaving only the vice-chair and two others as returning members of the previous year's team.

In September 2010, Lattanzio was released from his CEO position.

In early 2012, Anime News Network reported that Anime Expo suffered a $1.2 million loss in 2010. The 2011 convention saw a $100,000 profit and reduced the outstanding debt to $700,000. The article also stated that one of the creditors, IDG World Expo, will be taking over several aspects of the organization, with guest selection and programming remaining under SPJA control. Additionally, Takayuki Karahashi has been elected as chairman of the board of directors.

The convention continued to be located at the LACC through 2019. In April 2016, Marc Perez left the company, with Ray Chiang becoming acting CEO of SPJA.

On June 30, 2017, the first Pre-Show Night was added to the Anime Expo, which included the Neon District, hosting the World Cosplay Summit U.S. Finals, and premieres.

As the convention's attendance has grown, it's seen long lines for entry into the convention hall, which organizers said was due to safety and security concerns.

In the months leading to the 2020 event, a global coronavirus outbreak created concerns related to large gatherings, such as Anime Expo. On April 17, 2020, the SPJA announced that it was cancelling Anime Expo 2020, citing "health and safety" concerns. However, the SPJA stated it still planned to hold the 2021 event on its normal July dates. On May 27, 2020, they announced a two-day online convention, titled Anime Expo Lite, which took place on July 3 and 4, 2020. On March 3, 2021, the SPJA canceled the 2021 live convention, and announced that the Anime Expo Lite would instead be held on the 2021 schedule, citing "continued uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic." Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Anime Expo returned in-person in 2022; Anime Expo 2022 began on July 1 and ended on July 4 as an in-person event for the first time since 2019.

Anime Expo in 2023 suffered from serious overcrowding issues, and also occurred during a hotel staff strike. Layout and operational changes led to less crowding in 2024, but the panel ticketing system implemented was not effective.

Convention locations

DatesLocationAtten.Guests
date = July 3–6, 1992venue = Red Lion Hotellocation = San Jose, Californialast1=Solomonfirst1=Charlestitle=Mainstream call of anime; The annual Anime Expo expects to draw an ever-growing demographic of fans to Anaheim.url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jul-01-et-solomon1-story.htmlaccess-date=October 23, 2018work=Los Angeles Times}}

Other Anime Expos

The SPJA twice ran conventions outside California: Anime Expo New York in 2002, and Anime Expo Tokyo in 2004.

Anime Expo New York

Anime Expo New York (AXNY) was held in 2002 in the Times Square district of New York City, New York. The event was originally a joint effort with Central Park Media and its industry event, Big Apple Anime Fest (BAAF). Due to differences, the event ran as separate entities within the same time frame and venues, with BAAF hosting the theatrical film screenings, and Anime Expo New York hosting the convention. The events shared some resources, with notable guests listed in the program guides of both events. The SPJA ran the event in order to demonstrate that it could run events outside its home state of California. The event was a precursor to Anime Expo Tokyo which ran in Tokyo, Japan in 2004. The SPJA has not run any events outside California since 2004.

Convention locations
DatesLocationAtten.Guests
date = August 31 – September 2, 2002Marriott New York Marquis]]location = New York, New Yorkattendance = 5,500

Anime Expo Tokyo

Anime Expo Tokyo (AX Tokyo) was held in 2004 at the Sunshine City Convention Center in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Japan. It was not technically organized directly by the SPJA, but rather was organized by the Japanese Association for Science Fiction International Communication (www.jasfic.or.jp)(JASFIC) with assistance from the SPJA. JASFIC had two goals for Anime Expo Tokyo. The first goal was to establish in Japan a non-corporate-sponsored convention dedicated to anime. The second goal was to demonstrate to the organizers of the World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) that Japan could serve as a suitable venue for conventions that attract foreigners. Although Anime Expo Tokyo did not go on to a second year, JASFIC was ultimately successful in attracting the 65th World Science Fiction Convention to Japan in 2007.

Anime Expo Tokyo had a list of over 40 guests such as manga artist Ken Akamatsu, MiQ, Under17, Hiroshi Aro, and many others, although a small handful had to make last-minute cancellations. Anime Expo Tokyo was also the very first Anime Expo that officially hosted guests from the U.S. anime industry such as webcomic artist Fred Gallagher and voice actor Crispin Freeman.

Of Anime Expo Tokyo's 4,249 attendees, approximately 300 of that number were estimated to have traveled from abroad. In addition to the attendance numbers were 240 members of the press, 40 of which were from overseas. An additional 430 people were composed of dealers, guests, or staff.

No plans to host another official Anime Expo outside California have been announced.

Convention locations
DatesLocationAtten.Guests
date = January 16–18, 2004venue = Sunshine City Convention CenterTokyo, Japan]]attendance = 4,919

Anime Expo Chibi

Anime Expo Chibi (formerly Anime Expo Ontario) is an annual two-day anime convention held during November at Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, California. Organized by Anime Expo, it is designed to be a smaller convention that focuses on the artist alley and exhibit hall. The programming has an arcade, cosplay contest, karaoke, live music, Maid Cafe, manga lounge, tabletop gaming, and workshops.

Convention locations
DatesLocationAtten.Guests
url = http://animecons.com/events/info/19554/anime-expo-chibi-2022title = Anime Expo Chibi 2022 Informationpublisher = AnimeCons.comaccess-date = July 14, 2023}}venue = Ontario Convention Centerlocation = Ontario, Californiaattendance =

Other conventions

Anime Conji

Main article: Anime Conji

In 2010, Anime Conji began as an annual anime convention in San Diego. In 2013, it began to be run by SPJA. Anime Conji 2016 was cancelled due to event quality concerns. Anime Conji 2017 was also cancelled. The convention returned in 2018 under its original organizers, the San Diego Speculative Fiction Society (SanSFiS). Anime Conji held no event in 2020 due to financial and location problems.

Organizational structure

The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA), the parent organization which produces Anime Expo, is a federal and California state registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization, based out of the Southern California suburb of Corona. Before January 1, 2020, they were registered as a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade benefit organization.

Notes

  • The 2009 event donated over $29,000 to the Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) from the SPJA Charity Auction, announced during closing ceremonies on Sunday, July 5, 2009
  • Masquerade main event was attended by a standing-room-only crowd with over 7,200 seats available.
  • Total 2010 through-the-doors attendance achieved 105,000 (turnstile), compared to 2009's attendance of 109,000 (turnstile). This was Anime Expo's second attendance decline since its inception.

References

References

  1. O'Rourke, Michael. "Like-minded fans share in 'Cosplay' at Anime Expo". My San Antonio.
  2. Lopes, Paul. (April 7, 2009). "Demanding Respect: The Evolution of the American Comic Book". Temple University Press.
  3. Delahanty, Patrick. (January 9, 2007). "Ten largest North American anime conventions of 2003". AnimeCons.com.
  4. (January 1, 2018). "Largest North American Anime Conventions of 2017". AnimeCons.com.
  5. [http://www.spja.org/ To: SPJA Executive Members, Convention Committee, Anime Expo Managers, Staff, and Volunteers], March 28, 2009
  6. (August 2023). "Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation "(SPJA)"}}{{Dead link".
  7. "The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation Announces New President and Chief Executive Officer".
  8. "SPJA announces new CEO, Michael Lattanzio".
  9. [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-01-11/multiple-anime-expo-staffers-resign-in-board-dispute Multiple Anime Expo Staffers Resign in Board Dispute] January 11, 2010
  10. [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-09-25/anime-expo-parent-ceo-michael-lattanzio-steps-down] September 25, 2010
  11. [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-02-03/exclusive/anime-expo-2010-lost-us$1.2-million-idg-to-boost-involvement-in-2012 Exclusive: AX 2010 Lost $1.2 Million; IDG to Boost Involvement], Animenewsnetwork, February 3, 2012
  12. "Otakon Parent Elects New Board of Directors". animenewsnetwork.com.
  13. "AX Parent Reveals Board of Directors Election Results". animenewsnetwork.com.
  14. "Exclusive: AX 2010 Lost $1.2 Million; IDG to Boost Involvement". animenewsnetwork.com.
  15. (June 27, 2015). "Anime Expo to Stay in Los Angeles for 5 More Years". Anime News Network.
  16. (April 7, 2016). "CEO Marc Perez Leaves Anime Expo's Parent Company SPJA". Anime News Network.
  17. Gach, Ethan. (July 1, 2017). "Anime Expo 2017 Is This Weekend And The Line To Get In Is A Special Kind Of Hell UPDATE". [[Kotaku]].
  18. Chiang, Ray. (April 17, 2020). "Anime Expo to Return to Los Angeles in 2021". Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation.
  19. (April 17, 2020). "Anime Expo 2020 Cancelled Due to COVID-19". Anime News Network.
  20. "Anime Expo 2020 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  21. (26 July 2023). "Post-Mortem: How Was Anime Expo 2023?". Anime News Network.
  22. (July 15, 2024). "Post-Mortem: Anime Expo 2024 Felt Roomier, Programming Access More Complicated". Anime News Network.
  23. "Mainstream call of anime; The annual Anime Expo expects to draw an ever-growing demographic of fans to Anaheim.". Los Angeles Times.
  24. "Anime Expo 1992 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  25. "Anime Expo 1993 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  26. "Anime Expo 1994 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  27. "Anime Expo 1995 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  28. "Anime Expo 1996 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  29. "Anime Expo 1997 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  30. "Anime Expo 1998 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  31. "Anime Expo 1999 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  32. "Anime Expo 2000 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  33. "Anime Expo 2001 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  34. "Anime Expo Opening Ceremonies". animenewsnetwork.com.
  35. "Anime Expo 2002 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  36. "Anime Expo 2003 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  37. "Anime Expo 2004 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  38. "Anime Expo 2005 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  39. "Anime Expo 2006 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  40. "Anime Expo 2007 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  41. (July 14, 2008). "Anime Expo Up 5%". ICv2.
  42. "Anime Expo 2008 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  43. (August 10, 2014). "Anime Expo Reports Record 80,000 Unique Attendees, Addresses Registration Issues". Anime News Network.
  44. "Anime Expo 2009 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  45. "Anime Expo 2010 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  46. "Anime Expo 2011 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  47. (June 21, 2011). "Anime Expo to Host 3 From High School of the Dead Crew". Anime News Network.
  48. (July 1, 2011). "Anime Expo 2011 Opening Ceremonies". Anime News Network.
  49. (November 3, 2012). "ANIME NEWS: Anime Expo drew record-breaking crowd of 130,000 for four-day event". The Asahi Shimbun Company.
  50. "Anime Expo 2012 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  51. (June 5, 2012). "Anime Expo 2012: Lots of guests, hope you like Fate/Zero". Japanator.
  52. "Anime Expo 2013 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  53. (June 28, 2013). "Anime Expo to Host Urotsukidoji Creator Toshio Maeda". Anime News Network.
  54. "Anime Expo 2014 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  55. (June 30, 2014). "Anime Expo Lists Urotsukidoji Creator Toshio Maeda". Anime News Network.
  56. (July 21, 2015). "Anime Expo: New Record Set With 90,500 Unique Attendees". Anime News Network.
  57. "Anime Expo 2015 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  58. (July 8, 2015). "Anime Expo: New Record Set With 100,420 Unique Attendees". Anime News Network.
  59. "Anime Expo 2016 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  60. (May 18, 2016). "Anime Expo Hosts Guests From Love Live! Sunshine!!, One-Punch Man". Anime News Network.
  61. "Anime Expo 2017 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  62. (July 28, 2017). "Anime Expo Runs July 5-8 in 2018 After Record Attendance This Year". Anime News Network.
  63. "Anime Expo 2018 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  64. (July 11, 2018). "Anime Expo 2018 Caps Out Attendance at 110,000; Next Year's Dates Set". Anime News Network.
  65. "Anime Expo 2019 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  66. (June 30, 2020). "How & Where to Watch Anime Expo Lite 2020". Anime Expo.
  67. "Anime Expo 2020 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  68. "Anime EXPO Lite: Schedule". Anime Expo.
  69. "Anime Expo 2021 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  70. "Anime Expo 2022 Information".
  71. "Anime Expo 2023 Information".
  72. (June 15, 2023). "Anime Expo 2023 Reveals Full Guest Lineup". Anime News Network.
  73. Pineda, Rafael Antonio. (July 4, 2023). "Anime Expo Returns on July 4-7, 2024 in Los Angeles".
  74. "Anime Expo 2024 Information".
  75. "Anime Expo 2025 Information".
  76. "Anime Expo New York 2002 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  77. "Anime Expo Tokyo 2004 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  78. (July 4, 2022). "Anime Expo Returns on July 1-4, 2023 in Los Angeles; Reveals Anime Expo Ontario Event in California in November". Anime News Network.
  79. (July 5, 2022). "Anime Expo Announces Anime Expo Ontario". [[Rafu Shimpo]].
  80. (17 August 2022). "Anime Expo Reveals Registration Date for Anime Expo Chibi". Rafu Shimpo.
  81. (10 November 2023). "A Spectacle of Creativity, Fun, and Chibi Magic". Rafu Shimpo.
  82. "Anime Expo Chibi 2022 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  83. "Anime Expo Chibi 2023 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  84. "Anime Expo Chibi 2024 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  85. "Anime Expo Chibi 2025 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  86. "Anime Conji 2010 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  87. Yee, Michelle. (April 1, 2015). "Get Your Con on This Weekend". Los Angeles Magazine.
  88. "Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation Information". AnimeCons.com.
  89. "Anime Conji 2013 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  90. . (May 10, 2012). ["NEWSBYTE: Anime Conji Transfers To SPJA"](http://www.worldofanime760.com/post/22786802882/newsbyte-anime-conji-transfers-to-spja).
  91. (December 18, 2015). "Anime Conji has been canceled". AnimeCons.com.
  92. "Anime Conji 2018 Information". AnimeCons.com.
  93. "SanSFiS Resumes Operation of Anime Conji".
  94. (January 31, 2020). "Event Update 2020".
  95. "The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation Announces Transition to 501c3".
  96. [http://www.axbackstage.org/2009/07/05/anime-expo-2009-continues-to-hold-the-title-of-nations-largest-anime-and-manga-event-with-a-record-number-of-over-44000-in-attendance/ Anime Expo 2009 Continues to Hold the Title of Nation's Largest Anime and Manga Event with a Record Number of Over 44,000 in Attendance], July 5, 2009
  97. [http://www.axbackstage.org/2009/07/05/anime-expo-2009-continues-strong-into-day-4-as-the-nations-largest-anime-and-manga-convention/ Anime Expo 2009 Continues Strong into Day 4 as the Nation's Largest Anime and Manga Convention], July 5, 2009
  98. Carlo Santos, [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2010/anime-expo/spja-open-board-meeting SPJA Open Board Meeting], ''Anime News Network'', July 4, 2010
Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

recurring-events-established-in-1992 anime-conventions-in-the-united-states culture-of-anaheim,-california culture-of-los-angeles 1992-establishments-in-california conventions-in-los-angeles
Want to explore this topic further?

Ask Mako anything about Anime Expo — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.

Research with Mako

Free with your Surf account

Content sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.

Report