I was recently in Tokyo, for any number of reasons but most pointedly to attend Anime Japan 2026. This is the biggest purely “industry” animanga event in the world. Comiket still dwarfs it in terms of attendance – and size – but that’s largely driven by doujinshi. Anime Japan is purely corporate, though I don’t mean that in a negative way. It’s simply that this event is entirely “official”.

I haven’t been to AJ in over a decade, since I was a student in Tokyo. So long in fact that when I went (which I did every year) they called it “Tokyo Anime Fair”. There were some fun moments in those early days – like when they moved it to Chiba in protest of far-right Tokyo governor Ishihara’s anti-manga/anime “decency” law, the infamous “Bill 156”. Other than that year it’s been at Tokyo Big Sight on Odaiba every year. That’s the home of Comiket too of course, and the largest convention/event space in Japan.

Interestingly one thing announced this year was that the event is moving to Intex Osaka in 2027 and 2028 (about which you’ll hear no complaints from me). Given that Intex is about 65% smaller and Osaka draws a fraction of the tourism of Tokyo, I think we can assume the event will be scaled down somewhat. I’m not sure what the motive behind this presumably temporary move is – it’s nice to include Japan’s second-largest metropolitan area, but the event will generate less income to be certain.

Basically, Anime Japan is a giant trade show, with two public days followed by an industry day. There are stage events where seating is decided by lottery – I got into the Yomi no Tsugai one (all these are strictly no camera zones, of course). Pretty much all the major players are there, often with show-specific merchandise on sale. Various staff and seiyuu figures are on-hand for the stage events. There are lots of freebies, some interesting and sometimes immersive exhibits, and this year about 156,000 fans in attendance (a record).

Naturally a high point for me were the two Bokuyaba exhibits, tied in with the new film. Comix Wave had a very interesting display with the Byousoku 5 Centimeter anime and live-action side by side. Naturally given the timing Spring premiere shows are in focus, but potential AotY World is Dancing had a big booth presence as well. Another interesting part of AJ is the “Manga We Want to See Animated” vote among attendees, which Bokuyaba won in the past (this year’s winner was  Tonari no Seki no Yatsu ga Souiu Me de Mitekuru, which honesty compels me to admit I’d never heard of). I always enjoy immersing myself in the sheer scale of animanga fandom, and Anime Japan is one of the best ways to do it. If you’re in Osaka next spring, stop by.