Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQs | Badge FAQs | Guest  & Programming FAQs | Other FAQs

General FAQs

Anime NYC is New York City’s anime convention! A showcase of the best of Japanese pop culture in the biggest city in America, Anime NYC brings anime fans and publishers together for three days of unique exhibits, exclusive screenings, extensive panels, and appearances by some of the biggest creators in Japan. Join us for a celebration of Japanese animation, manga, and cosplay in the heart of NYC!

Anime NYC is a creation of LeftField Media, a boutique event company made up of dedicated fans and experienced convention organizers.

We pick up manga at Kinokuniya, shop at Sunrise Mart, and snap far too many pictures at Sakura Matsuri. We’ve gone to premieres at JAPAN CUTS and saw Hatsune Miku in concert… three times. We love anime like you and now bring all this together for you.

Anime NYC is a party, a market, and a festival; a dedicated showcase of Japanese popular culture; and a space for the anime and manga community to call our own.

In 2022 we have welcomed 55,000 fans from all over the US and the world – and are looking to welcome so many more in years to come.

Anime NYC is not run by Crunchyroll. It is run by LeftField Media, in partnership with Crunchyroll as our title sponsor.

No, Anime NYC is not a part of New York Comic Con.

Anime NYC takes place in the Javits Center on Manhattan’s West Side. Located at 445 11th Ave, the Javits is just blocks from Times Square, Grand Central, and Penn Station. The 7 Train’s Hudson Yards station is right across the street!

The next Anime NYC is November 17-19, 2023

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17

2 PM to 8 PM – Exhibit Hall and Artist Alley
2 PM to 10 PM – Panels, Screenings, and Special Events

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18

10 AM to 7 PM – Exhibit Hall and Artist Alley
10 AM to 10 PM – Panels, Screenings, and Special Events

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19

10 AM to 4 PM – Exhibit Hall and Artist Alley
10 AM to 4 PM – Panels, Screenings, and Special Events

Anime NYC is a creation of LeftField Media, a boutique event company made up of dedicated fans and experienced convention organizers. LeftField was founded by Greg Topalian, the original creator of New York Comic Con. Peter Tatara, behind guests, panels, and special events at the former New York Anime Festival, was the mastermind behind Anime NYC and it’s first Event Director. MK Goodwin is the current Event Director.

Badge FAQs

All attendees 6-years-old and up need a badge to take part in Anime NYC. Children 5-years-old and under are welcome without a badge.

Badges for Anime NYC will be on sale soon and will be able to be purchased online here.

All badges will be mailed.

Badges will be mailed closer to the show. If you do not receive them within a week of the show, please contact us at info@animenyc.com

All badges are being mailed and, with the exception of non-attendee badges (Press, Guest, Influencer) and international orders, we will not have on-site pickup.

Yes, you can upgrade or swap your badge BEFORE the Mailing Deadline! Here’s how:

  1. Go to growtix.com
  2. Click on the words SIGN IN at the top
  3. Click on MY TICKETS
  4. Click on CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP (If you don’t already have an account, if you already have an account, go to step 6)
  5. Create a new account using the same email address you used to purchase your tickets
  6. Verify your email address and sign in to your account
  7. Click on your name in the top right
  8. Select MY ORDERS
  9. From there you will see the option to Upgrade, Swap, or edit your personal information.

Please note that any price difference will not be refunded. If you have any issues, please contact info@animenyc.com

Badges are 100% transferable. All you need to do is pass the physical badge or badge confirmation on to the new party. (Please note if you had the badge shipped to you or you already picked up your badge, the physical badge must be passed on to the person you are transferring the badge to.) To update the name and email assigned to the badge, follow the steps below:

  1. Visit growtix.com
  2. Click SIGN IN
  3. Click MY TICKETS
  4. Click CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP (If you don’t already have an account, if you already have an account, go to step 6)
  5. Create an account using the same email address you used to purchase your badges
  6. Verify your email address and sign in to your account
  7. Click on your name located at the top right
  8. Click MY ORDERS
  9. Click on the order you want to update

Badges that are lost, stolen or damaged cannot be replaced. Please take care of your badge—it is your only valid entry into the event.

We’re sorry, but a badge is required for entry. If you are unable to return home to retrieve your badge, a new one will need to be purchased (subject to availability).

Information on press registration can be found on our press page.

Information on pro badge registration can be found on our pro badge page.

Lyte prices are based on fair market value and may be higher than original prices if there are significantly more requests than tickets. However, Lyte’s prices are always lower than third-party websites. Lyte technology drives prices back to the original value. Also, by using the official exchange, you are helping us in our fight against scalping.

Guest & Programming FAQs

Celebrity and creator guests from North America and Japan are announced regularly! For more info, check out the guest page.

Many guests appear for all three days, but we also list the specific days they will be attending on our guest page.

The autograph schedule will be released closer to the event.

Pricing will vary by guest and will need to be confirmed at their table.

Many guests will take cash or credit, but this will also need to be confirmed at their table.

Typically our guests will have headshots, included in the cost of the autograph, to be signed at their table.

Typically, yes, but not always. The signing of personal items is done at the guests’ discretion and may require an additional charge at their booth. Guests will sign one item per autograph ticket, if you want more than one item signed, additional autograph tickets will need to be purchased.

It is up to each guest whether they will take a selfie or not.

Other FAQs

We do have a crew program! You can find out more about it here.

The link to our exhibitor form can be found here and the link to our Artist Alley application can be found here.

We recommend all children under 18 attend with an adult, and all children 10 and under must have an adult with them while attending the event.

Anime NYC is very happy to accommodate fans with special, medical, and mobility needs, and you may pick up an accessibility bracelet onsite to assist in your enjoyment of the event. Please click here for full accessibility bracelet information.

Service Animals are welcome provided they are leashed or under similar control as appropriate.

More information will be provided closer to the show.

Absolutely! Anime NYC encourages costumes and cosplay. Please make sure, your costume follows our costume and cosplay policy, which can be found in full here. Attendees who do not follow these guidelines may be required to modify their costumes, refused entry, or asked to leave.

Anime NYC is committed to fostering an atmosphere where attendees can count on a safe, inclusive, and rewarding experience, and harassment is the opposite of the community we want to create. If you feel harassed or see harassment, please report it to a member of our security team. Harassment of any kind is unwelcome at Anime NYC. You can find our full policy here.

Outside food and drink is not permitted inside the Javits, but if you need to keep some snacks or water (no glass bottles) on you for medical reasons, that’s okay.

We do not restrict the type of bag you can bring to the show. All bags will be subject to a check by security before entry.

Yes, the Javits Center operates multiple coat checks. It is $4 per coat or bag.

Yes you can!

Yes! The Javits Center has both free and paid wifi options depending on whether you need to just check your email or stream Crunchyroll in HD.

The Javits Center is smoke free. Cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and vape pens are prohibited anywhere on Javits Center property, including its inner roadway and sidewalks.

Yup! If you’re coming to Anime NYC from out of town, we’ll have special rates with a number of local hotels. More information will be shared closer to the show.

We’re happy to chat! Please email info@animenyc.com.