Anime Expo recently took place in the Los Angeles Convention Center from July 2nd to July 5th. Anime fans gathered from the Southern California area to enjoy the festivities that included Japanese anime, video games, and other events related to anime.
The event hosted hundreds of booths selling merchandise that included anime and video games. The last day of Anime Expo was when the final show began at 9 am and ended at 3 pm. This is when fans had a chance to visit the exhibition hall and meet other fans before the end of this year’s Anime Expo.
Cosplay Takes Center Stage
One of the biggest attractions throughout the event was cosplay. Fans arrived dressed as characters from popular anime series, video games, and films. Numerous individuals have made modifications to their outfits in order to become distinctive. Cosplay remained one of the convention’s biggest attractions throughout Anime Expo 2026.
Creative Costumes and Fan Moments
People who participated in the convention included Cristopher Lewis, who dressed as Sonic from Sonic the Hedgehog, and Raysa Rubio, who portrayed Shadow from Sonic.
Other notable costume themes were Jack in the Box as a costumed character holding a stuffed ‘hamburger.’ There was also cosplay of the character Sailor Moon shopping for merchandise outside one of the vendors. The Tapatío mascot wore a Mexican flag and held a bottle of hot sauce. There were also two ‘Minions.’ One carried a bunch of bananas, which made many convention-goers laugh.
Henry Thopraka shared his enthusiasm for the event during a video interview while wearing an Ash Ketchum-themed shirt and carrying a Pikachu plush. His enthusiasm reflected the excitement shared by many attendees throughout the convention.
One lighthearted moment occurred when an anime cosplayer ran through a designated area after being encouraged by event staff. Fans nearby laughed while capturing the moment in photos and videos.
Interactive Exhibits and Fan Experiences
There were many interactive displays throughout the exhibit hall. One booth had a life-sized anime character in a wheelchair with some promotional artwork of Beyond, which is set to begin airing on December 9. Visitors to the Crunchyroll booth could interact with an animated character that would move, talk, and respond when someone would gently pat its head. This surprised many attendees.
Convention attendees had the opportunity to view large video screens with anime programming from across the convention. Also, fans could attend cosplay events and join the dancing activities. Interactive exhibits and entertainment created an exciting atmosphere celebrating anime culture.
A Celebration of Anime Culture
Every year, Anime Expo gives an opportunity for anime lovers to meet each other and rejoice together.
Editor’s Disclaimer: This article is based on on-site reporting by Presence News and includes firsthand observations from Anime Expo 2026 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California. Information was accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. Event details are subject to change. Photographs accompanying this article were taken by Presence News unless otherwise credited.
