Annual Anime NYC convention once again draws huge crowds

By Ryan Pullido 
Eagle News Service

(Eagle News) — Despite the freezing cold weather in New York, thousands of anime fans descended on the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Midtown Manhattan for the annual Anime NYC convention.

Lines of people surrounding the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City as they wait to enter for Anime NYC. (Photo by Ryan Pullido, Eagle News Service)

Anime NYC is regarded by many as one of the premiere anime conventions featuring the latest trends in anime and other facets of Japanese pop media culture. The convention showcased a variety of unique exhibits from cars filled with anime decals to cosplayers strewn inside the convention site. A cosplay meetup was scheduled throughout the event for people to get a chance to be pictured with attendees dressed as their favorite characters. 

One of the many unique exhibits at the event combining Japanese car and manga culture. (Photo by Ryan Pullido, Eagle News Service)

Another highlight of the event was the reveal of new anime shows as well as new seasons of beloved fan favorites.

One of the shows set to return next year with a new season is By The Grace of the Gods. New posters promoting the show were everywhere inside the Javits Center as well as a new trailer.

Another heavily promoted show was Blue Lock, an anime that revolves around the sport of soccer.

Both shows can be watched on the Crunchyroll website. 

One of the biggest additions to the event was the Hololive booth. Hololive is a Vtuber agency that has grown in popularity ever since the pandemic.

Vtubers, or virtual Youtubers, are people who stream online content but use a virtual-generated avatar to conduct their streaming. Instead of showing their real faces, they use an avatar to remain anonymous while providing online entertainment. They have taken the Internet world by storm as hundreds flocked to the booth to get Anime NYC exclusive Hololive items.

Two popular Vtubers from the Vshojo agency, Ironmouse and Kson, have also joined Anime NYC. Both were able to make an appearance at the event to greet fans and take pictures.

Even after waiting in line just to get into the event, hundreds of anime lovers joined even longer lines inside just to meet their favorite anime writers or illustrators. (Photo by Joy Anne Andres, Eagle News Service)

Anime fans are already looking forward to the next Anime NYC scheduled for November 17-19, 2023. 

(Eagle News Service)