Anime NYC saw record attendance in 2026, drawing over 170,000 people compared to 2025’s 148,000. The convention also expanded its schedule to include Thursday starting at 1 PM. Not much programming was scheduled for that day, so I assume the main reason for this expansion was to let fans explore the Exhibit Hall and Artist’s Alley early. Which, to be fair, is why many people attend Anime NYC to begin with.
For me, this convention was a chance to do work, catch up with friends, and make plans for the future. It was also an opportunity to lick each other’s wounds, because all the writers I know are hurting right now–as are many in the publishing industry. In that respect, I was glad to see solidarity at this year’s American Manga Awards ceremony, as well as at other events outside the convention. But what about inside it? Well, I’ll get to that.
Where Did I Stay?
This year I shared a bunk pod at Pod 51 with a manga industry freelancer. It was about $360 between us for five nights, which was admittedly cheap for New York City. That said, the Wi-Fi was so slow that it was difficult for my roommate to work on site. Pods in this hotel also have shared rather than individual bathrooms, so that you have to leave your hotel room to enter one of four bathrooms shared by the whole floor (which are locked by key cards, just like the hotel rooms.) I imagine that last detail in particular being a step too far for some people. For me, it was a nostalgic throwback to my college days, although I imagine losing your room key would be a total nightmare.
The location was convenient for me, since it was just a few minutes from the Japan Society, where both the American Manga Awards as well as a special screening of the film Blank Canvas (featuring manga artist Akiko Higashimura) were held this year. The subway was similarly speedy; while I had to transfer lines, it otherwise took just 20 minutes to reach the 34 St/Hudson Yard stop right outside the Javits Center. All in all, I wouldn’t recommend Pod 51 to anybody else, unless you are a broke journalist and/or manga industry freelancer. If that does describe you, it’s better than nothing, so long as you plan around the Wi-Fi.
Anime NYC 2026 Panels I Went To
Kana Manga: How We Bring Iconic Series to English
When: Friday, August 21 • 10:30 am – 11:15 am
Panel Description: In this panel, the Kana team will talk about how they build their manga list, from discovering new titles to listening to fan feedback and shaping how each book is launched in English. Attendees will get a closer look at the range of manga that defines Kana today, along with early announcements of upcoming manga and manhua. Be among the first to hear about new books, straight from the source, at Anime NYC.
Overall Thoughts: Publisher panels can be hit or miss. Sure, it can be exciting to be there in the room when they drop a bombshell license. But since that information will inevitably be posted on social media after the panel, why bother going at all? Thankfully the Kana panel avoided this issue entirely by devoting much of it to the production of their marquee title, Billy Bat.
Letterer Aidan Clarke (with assistance from editor Kristiina Korpus) took the stage to discuss every little detail he and his collaborator Brendon Hull worked into the book. These included multiple fonts, era-appropriate lettering, and redrawn sound effects that, when possible, recycle artist Naoki Urasawa’s original work. Even details such as when a character is understood as speaking English or Japanese were used to evoke the protagonist’s Japanese-American heritage. This panel proved to me that (in the right circumstances and given enough time) every production decision can be just as vital to a comic’s essence as story or art.
Anime Herald Magazine Industry Panel
When: Friday, August 21 • 11:45 am – 12:30 pm
Panel Description: If you’ve ever wondered what makes an anime magazine tick in the 21st century, or just wondered “why would anyone start an anime magazine in this day and age,” the Anime Herald Magazine team has you covered. Join us as we discuss the production of our first two issues, and deliver the latest news on what’s coming up next!
Overall Thoughts: I’ll be honest, I came to this panel to support Yatta-Tachi Editor-in-Chief Katy Castillo, who has so far designed the first two issues of Anime Herald Magazine. Plus a piece of mine was published in the second issue of the magazine, so I’m quite biased. Even so, I was glad just to see panelist Samantha Ferreira sit down and discuss the roadblocks she overcame to launch a magazine about Japanese pop culture in the 2020s. It turns out that’s a really tough thing to do! Here’s hoping production on the newly announced third issue goes smoothly.
Manga Mavericks Books Industry Panel
When: Friday, August 21 • 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
Panel Description: Join the team behind Manga Mavericks Books and Sen, author of the fantasy adventure manga Horon of the Closed Country, and learn more about what it takes to publish indie manga! We’ll share behind-the-scenes stories and hold a Q&A with Sen about the development of Horon of the Closed Country, and discuss how we work directly with manga creators to bring their work overseas. Plus, be the first to hear our newest manga license announcements! We’ll have prizes, surprises, and lots more in store!
Overall Thoughts: Manga Mavericks Books panels are a reliably fun time. Their Anime NYC variant this year was even more lively than usual thanks to the appearance of two unexpected guests. Red String Translations head Victoria Esnard revealed herself from within a mountain of No Face cosplay, while Mahjong Pros’s Harrison Doan briefly took over the panel to lecture the audience about upcoming mahjong manga.
If I have a regret, it’s that affiliated artist Sen (who was supposed to come and speak about her fantasy series Horon of the Closed Country) was sick that day and couldn’t make it to the panel. I can’t begrudge her for that though. Hopefully she was able to fulfill her dreams and make it to the Statue of Liberty!
Spotlight: Akiko Higashimura
When: Friday, August 21 • 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Panel Description: Details coming soon!
Overall Thoughts: A panel so secretive and seemingly last-minute that the panel description has no relevant information whatsoever. Yet a friend of mine still dropped everything to travel across the country and see Akiko Higashimura in person. That should tell you just how much people revere the artist behind Princess Jellyfish and Tokyo Tarareba Girls, who–as we also learned in her panel–is also a television personality, bar owner and even the director of a Netflix television series. For more information, check out our interview!
Higashimura’s interview was conducted by Deb Aoki, who also helps run the American Manga Awards every year. I’m increasingly convinced each year that without Aoki’s influence, panels at Anime NYC would devolve totally into pablum conducted by producers and PR. All I can say in that respect is that I’m grateful she and her peers worked so hard this year to bring Higashimura to New York City. Her panel was an easy highlight of the convention.
Anime by the Numbers
When: Friday, August 21 • 6:30 pm – 7:15 pm
Panel Description: Discover the statistics shaping the US industry and what they reveal about the future of anime and manga in this data-driven deep-dive by White Box Entertainment. Whether you’re a numbers nerd or just a curious fan, you’ll be able to learn how overseas markets impact your favorite series.
Overall Thoughts: Anime fans love sharing what they think are common-sense facts about the medium, so it’s refreshing to attend a panel by White Box Entertainment (who run the Substack blog Anime By the Numbers) where my former boss Miles Thomas-Atherton informs you that those facts are all wrong. Did you know for instance that more people watch anime than live in Japan? That legal streaming has usurped piracy in popularity following the Covid pandemic lockdown? Or that fans of the “slice of life” genre are both older than average and typically watch 5 or more anime series a season?
Miles and his compatriot Chloe were lecturing from an old PowerPoint, and frequently sped past slides because they either forgot what they were, or because the data there was “too valuable” to share with us. Regardless they had plenty of information to share that was (enjoyably) psychologically damaging, like that only 1% of Netflix viewers had bothered to watch Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind in comparison to other Ghibli anime on the platform. Here’s hoping White Box Entertainment stops by again next year!
THE GHOST IN THE SHELL x Science Saru: Special Panel
When: Saturday, August 22 • 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Panel Description: Come and explore the new Ghost in the Shell series with us and Director Mokochan and learn about all the insights and work that was done on the series! You may also get the chance to see a special surprise we have in store for the fans at the end! Don’t miss out!
Overall Thoughts: Since I had the chance to interview the director Mokochan about his experience working on THE GHOST IN THE SHELL anime at Anime NYC, I was excited to see his panel with producers Shuhei Shindo and Kengo Abe. My main takeaway was that producers Shindo and Abe were just as invested, creatively, in the series as Mokochan, which was neat! Unfortunately there wasn’t much else to take away from the panel that I hadn’t learned elsewhere. Plus a fan wasted about ten minutes by asking the guests, “what kind of video game would the new Ghost in the Shell anime be,” which turned out to be a fiendishly difficult question to answer.
The highlight of the panel was a preview of a then-upcoming THE GHOST IN THE SHELL episode, featuring an original scene from the perspective of rogue AI Puppet Master. Since the anime staff was so insistent that THE GHOST IN THE SHELL would faithfully adapt Masamune Shirow’s original manga, I was surprised that they chose to stray from the text of the book. Perhaps even a “faithful adaptation” requires some tweaking to work as a television series.
WCAnimated: The World of Warrior Cats Through Indie Animation
When: Sunday, August 23rd • 11:00 am – 11:45 am
Panel Description: Do you remember those violent cat books from your childhood? Or maybe you want to learn what running an animated series takes? Or maybe you just love all things CATS! Either way, join the crew behind WCAnimated, an indie fan-produced animated series inspired by Warrior Cats, a fantasy book series most famous for its thriving online animation scene. Our team of industry professionals will walk you through each step of the pipeline and our own journey of reimagining the vibrant world of Warrior Cats for the screen. With our cast and crew’s credits including Chainsaw Man, Persona 5 Tactica, Fire Emblem Heroes, One Piece, Hazbin Hotel/Helluva Boss, and more, you’ll hear about the unique experiences that have shaped our project. This panel will include a detailed look at our production, tips on creating and sustaining your own animation project, and even a sneak peek at our first episode…
Overall Thoughts: While I was more into Tailchaser’s Song than Warrior Cats as a kid, there’s no denying the ferocious passion of Warrior Cats fans. So I was curious to see what an independent animation production by them might look like. The most interesting part of this panel by far for me was learning that fans have been making Warrior Cats animatics for years. The efforts of WCAnimated are just the latest (and perhaps most ambitious) of an ongoing fan art movement.
Unfortunately, as a fan immediately said during the question and answers section, an animated adaptation had recently been announced by Tencent Video. So where does that leave WCAnimated? The best the team could say was that the official production staff was aware of their efforts, and could shut them down at any time. So I’m not convinced this specific production has a future. Still, I was impressed by the quality of the questions asked at the end of the panel. Warrior Cats fans are going to make something amazing someday; it’s just a matter of when, and what it will be.
Working as an Anime Animator in the US
When: Sunday, August 23rd • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Panel Description: Have you ever wondered if working in anime is possible? Do you need to know the language to garner jobs in the industry? Learn from an anime animator based in New York about the pros and cons of working in the industry! We will be discussing what it was like breaking into the industry and how it’s been working in the industry for 3 years now.
Overall Thoughts: This panel was run by Kennedy Freeman, the director of Luv Letter Studios. Her team has contributed to many popular works including Ruri Rocks, One Piece and Cosmic Princess Kaguya. But it wasn’t easy! Freeman worked her way up through outsourcing studios that would demand animation cuts in outrageously short timeframes. Now she puts health over work, insisting that her crew get sleep. Despite the fact that costs of living in the United States is higher than in other countries, and that anime jobs don’t pay you until 30 days after the work is submitted, Luv Letter Studios is still out there contributing to your favorite series.
I was a bit confused by the presence of voice actors, who (despite their clear experience) seemed disconnected from Luv Letter Studios’s operations. As an unvarnished picture of what it takes to survive as a freelancer in the anime industry, though, I think this was one of the most insightful panels that I attended at Anime NYC.
BL & Romantasy: Genre Fandoms Rising in Webtoons and Manga
When: Sunday, August 23rd • 1:45 pm – 2:30 pm
Panel Description: From Boys Love to romance fantasy — genres once considered niche are getting mainstream attention, and Tappytoon has been part of that rise. Loyal readers, BookTok, and TV fans are increasingly driving tastes around the globe. Hear from publishers and industry voices about fan-favorite stories and the tropes, trends, titles sure to become your next binge reads. Featuring speakers from Inklore, Seven Seas, Tappytoon, and more.
Overall Thoughts: Representatives from Inklore, Seven Seas, IZE Press and Tappytoon came together to celebrate the popularity of Boys’ Love and romantasy webtoons. The panel room was so packed that organizers turned attendees away from the door 10 minutes before the presentation began. From what I’ve heard from others, this has been a recurring problem at Anime NYC; organizers underestimate interest in panels targeted at women, assign smaller rooms than average, and shut out fans who would otherwise be overjoyed to attend.
I didn’t necessarily agree with this panel’s conclusions. Inklore for instance called themselves the “listening imprint,” saying that their job was to take the needs of fans into account when publishing. That’s all well and good, but speaking as a former bookseller, why not take those fans a step or two beyond their comfort zone? I was also taken aback by the assertion that readers care much more about story than format, which made me sad as a formalist. Still, I was glad to see an omnivorous readership here willing to try out anything from anywhere so long as it scratched their itch.
What Did I Think of Anime NYC 2026?
My thoughts on Anime NYC were mixed this year. On one hand, the professionals I met appeared to enjoy spending time with each other at the convention. Freelancers in particular had many opportunities to meet up outside the Javits Center and share stories. But Anime NYC replaced the Pro Lounge this year with a Tea Lounge, meaning that professionals at the convention without special privileges had no place of their own to go. Also, many folks I spoke to working in the Dealer’s Room were frustrated that their schedules would not allow them to attend the American Manga Awards or its afterparty on Thursday evening. If Anime NYC aims to make Thursday another full day of the convention, it should reschedule the AMAs so that everybody can go.
I was surprised by how few high-profile guests there were at Anime NYC this year as well. While I was glad to have the opportunity to interview folks like Mokochan, Ginger Root and Mao Takayama, most of the other talent present were voice actors or VTubers. (Akiko Higashimura was a big exception, but she spent most of her time speaking at the Japan Society rather than within the Javits Center.) The panels I attended with high profile guests inevitably stuck to generalities rather than anything specific. The Kings’ Maker panel that I attended last year, by comparison, was conducted with a candidness I couldn’t find anywhere in 2026.
Would I Recommend Attending?
If you’re a freelancer or full-time employee in the anime or manga industry, you’ll probably know whether or not you’ll be attending Anime NYC, especially if you live on the East Coast. If you’re a fan who lives in New York City with disposable income, and your friends are going, Anime NYC can be a fun place to hang out. On the other hand, as a weirdo who loves attending panels and learning about how anime or manga is made, I frankly learned much more from the panels I attended at Otakon this year than the ones at Anime NYC.
If Anime NYC continues to calcify, older or more dedicated fans might find it worthwhile to seek out other conventions like Otakon, Anime Boston or Anime Central. I’m still glad I attended, thanks to having the opportunity to see Jan Mitsuko Cash give her barnraising acceptance speech at the American Manga Awards this year. Not to mention the Japan Society’s screening of the film Blank Canvas, featuring a discussion with Akiko Higashimura. Neither of those events, though, took place at the Javits Center. That may be Anime NYC’s future: a nexus of anime and manga industry activity that itself is the least interesting event happening that weekend.
Big thank you to our supporters
From their continous support, we are able to pay our team for their time and hard work on the site.
We have a Thank-You page dedicated to those who help us continue the work that we’ve been doing.
See our thank you page
