Highlights
- Anime Japan is more of an industry exhibition than typical conventions, focusing on big announcements, live stages, and exclusive previews.
- Attendees can expect special appearances from cast and crew, live episode viewings, and performances throughout the weekend event.
- The event features a mix of popular airing anime and upcoming series across different stages, providing a fun experience for anime fans.
While America, the UK, and other countries have regular anime, game, and Japanese pop culture conventions year round, Japan actually does not have that many. After all, you can just tune in to regular TV to watch anime, and go to stores in every city to buy the merchandise. But Japan does have a few events every year, and one of the biggest ones just announced its schedule for the weekend – Anime Japan.
This year, Anime Japan will be held on the weekend of March 23rd and 24th, which is between school terms for many students in Japan, giving more people a chance to attend the event. It will be the 11th year of Anime Japan, and the crowds are likely to be huge. Last year, for the 10th anniversary, Anime Japan had over 100,000 guests in two days, which was the largest turn-out since COVID-19. Let’s take a look at what we can expect this year.
What Can I Expect at Anime Japan?
Anime Japan is not exactly like anime conventions you may be used to visiting outside of Japan. While there is still exclusive merchandise to buy and cosplayers to see, it is more of an industry exhibition than anything else. Studios use Anime Japan to make big announcements for upcoming series, to hype people up for existing series, and to give casts and crews behind the anime time to talk on live stages.
The stages are the biggest part of Anime Japan, and where most of the action will be taking place. Aside from the three main stages, many anime studios will have big exhibition booths in the hall that fans can check out and snap photos of, which often feature life-sized standees of favorite characters, props from anime brought to life, and previews of upcoming merchandise that will be for sale in the future. Mostly, though, the event will be used by studios to make big announcements.
The Anime Japan 2024 Schedule
The final schedule for Anime Japan 2024 was released just this past week, highlighting what events will be taking place on the main stages of the event. Anime Japan will have a Red Stage, Blue Stage, and Green Stage, all of which will host different exhibitions and events throughout the weekend alongside the other booths and stands that will always be operating at the event.
The schedules are as follows (please note that the English translations of some titles are approximate).
March 23rd – Red Stage
|
9:15 – 9:50 |
Suicide Squad ISEKAI Rampage Party |
|
10:25 – 11:00 |
Live Delivery of Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 |
|
11:35 – 12:10 |
i☆Ris the Movie – Full Energy! -The special live stage with you! |
|
12:45 – 13:20 |
Before the final episode of The Apothecary Diaries Anime Japan Special Stage |
|
16:15 – 16:50 |
Oblivion Battery Special Stage |
|
18:55 – 19:30 |
Before the broadcast of Sound! Euphonium 3 Anime Japan Special Stage |
March 23rd – Green Stage
|
9:50 – 10:25 |
An Archdemon’s Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride Special Stage |
|
11:00 – 11:35 |
Delico’s Nursery Talk Stage |
|
13:20 – 13:55 |
Prince of Tennis U-17 World Cup Semi-Final Special Stage |
|
14:30 – 15:05 |
Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club Special Stage |
|
18:20 – 18:55 |
Mission: Yozakura Family Anime Japan 2024 Special Stage |
March 23rd – Blue Stage
|
12:20 – 12:50 |
AnoHana, The Anthem of the Heart, Her Blue Sky, and Fureru Talk Stage |
|
13:20 – 13:50 |
Ride Kamens Special Stage |
March 24th – Red Stage
|
9:15 – 9:50 |
Oshi no Ko Special Stage |
|
11:35 – 12:10 |
Before the broadcast of Kaiju No. 8 Anime Japan Special Stage |
|
12:45 – 13:20 |
Black Butler: Public School Arc Anime Japan Special Stage |
|
13:55 – 14:30 |
The Irregular at Magic High School Anime Japan Special Stage |
|
15:05 – 15:40 |
Fate/Grand Order Special Stage in Anime Japan 2024 |
|
16:15 – 16:50 |
My Hero Academia Pre-Seventh Series PLUS ULTRA Special Stage |
March 24th – Green Stage
|
9:50 – 10:25 |
Special Stage before the release of Blue Lock: The Movie Episode Nagi |
|
12:10 – 12:45 |
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Special Stage in AJ24 |
|
14:30 – 15:05 |
Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian Special Stage |
|
15:40 – 16:15 |
Monogatari‘s “Off Season” and “Monster Season” Special Stage |
March 24th – Blue Series
|
10:20 – 10:50 |
Before the final episode of The Dangers in My Heart Special Stage |
|
11:20 – 11:50 |
Lilysa Amano Special Stage |
|
14:20 – 14:50 |
Before the broadcast of Go! Go! Loser Ranger! Special Stage |
|
16:20 – 16:50 |
Wistoria: Wand and Sword Special Stage |
It looks like there is a good mix of popular, airing anime and upcoming anime all being featured on the various stages throughout the weekend at Anime Japan. With special appearances by cast and crew, some live episode viewings, performances, and more, it is certain to be a fun weekend for anime fans. Keep in mind if you are going that everything will be delivered in Japanese – but check back on GameRant for the biggest news in English soon.
Sources: PR Times, Anime Japan
Leave a Reply