Anime Expo 2023 Celebrates 32nd Anniversary with Attendees from Over 60 Countries, Over 400 Exhibitors and 1,000 Hours of Programming
LOS ANGELES (July 27, 2023) – Anime Expo has celebrated its 32nd anniversary at the Los Angeles Convention Center, bringing together global fans and industry professionals for the largest celebration of Japanese pop culture in North America. Hosted by The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA), the sold-out four-day convention saw a turnstile attendance of over 392,000 from more than 60 countries coming to Los Angeles to generate an estimated economic impact of over $100 million for area hotels and businesses. Anime Expo 2024 will return to the Los Angeles Convention Center on July 4-7, 2024. 4-day badges for AX 2024 will go on sale after the conclusion of ax chibi.
"We are deeply grateful to witness the enthusiastic turnout of dedicated fans at Anime Expo. The patience and respect demonstrated by these crowds as they enjoyed over 1,000 hours of uninterrupted content across the four-day event is truly appreciated. While we encountered some initial challenges with long lines on the first day of AX, we are pleased to note that our dedicated conference team swiftly resolved these issues, ensuring thousands of fans could fully engage in panels, premieres, and other activities throughout the remainder of the expo,” said Ray Chiang, CEO of SPJA. “It is important to clarify that the proceedings of both the 2023 and 2022 events were not halted or disrupted by the Los Angeles Fire Marshal at any point. We remain committed to closely collaborating with local law enforcement and safety authorities, including LAPD and LAFD, to uphold a secure environment for all participants."
“The Los Angeles Convention Center was delighted to partner with SPJA to execute another successful Anime Expo. Together, our teams worked in conjunction with LA City law enforcement and safety officials such as LAPD and LAFD to ensure a secure event for all.” said Kimberly Weedmark, General Manager of the Los Angeles Convention Center. “We look forward to our continued partnership in the years to come, working with SPJA to ensure a safe and fun event for all participants.”
AX 2023 hosted a series of blockbuster announcements, interactive events and 1,000 hours of programming, headlined by iconic leaders in Japanese entertainment, music, fashion and video games. Beyond the exhibition floor, Anime Expo-goers took part in blockbuster world premieres, and attended sessions featuring a luminary list of more than 200 guest and industry appearances from the biggest names in anime and manga, headlined by esteemed Guest of Honor, Yoshitaka Amano, one of the most influential artists in modern pop culture. Beyond the bustling exhibition hall and artist alley, Anime Expo also played host to raucous musical performances headlined by DJ Diesel (a.k.a. Shaquille O'neal) and m-flo's Taku Takahashi at the Neon District concert, the Shin Megami Tensei 30th Live: Band of Shadows concert celebrating ATLUS's acclaimed RPG series, and the AX Summer Fest featuring famed Japanese rock bands Cö shu Nie and mili.
In addition to Anime Expo, SPJA will also be presenting Anime Expo chibi, the second annual edition of the smaller-scale spinoff convention that offers fans an additional opportunity to celebrate Japanese pop culture in November in Ontario, California. The event focuses primarily on the community, placing an emphasis on the exhibit hall and artist alley experience, taking place on the weekend of November 11-12, 2023 at the Ontario Convention Center. Tickets and registration for Anime Expo chibi go live soon on https://www.anime-expo.org/anime-expo-chibi/
For more details on Anime Expo chibi in November and Anime Expo 2024 in July of next year, please visit the official AX website, and follow the official social channels for regular updates via Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
