Anime Expo 2026 runs July 2–5 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Produced by SPJA, it's the largest celebration of Japanese pop culture in North America, drawing huge crowds for premieres, concerts, artist alley, and a packed cosplay program.
The AX cosplay scene is enormous, with gatherings for nearly every fandom across the LACC and surrounding plazas. Summer in LA gets hot, so lighter materials, cooling layers, and hydration go a long way for full-day wears.
If you're building for AX, lean into recognizable anime and game characters — the audience and photographers reward sharp, source-accurate work, and the official masquerade is a strong showcase for competitive builds.
