Anime NYC and X Tracks Licensing Summit Join Forces to Create the First Executive Forum Devoted Anime, Manga, Gaming, and Asian Pop Culture Licensing

New York, NY – Anime NYC, one of the fastest growing pop culture conventions in the United States, has joined with X Tracks Licensing Summits, a leading global platform connecting the licensing industry, to introduce the Anime NYC and X Tracks Licensing Summit. The invitation-only invite will be held on Thursday August 20, 2026 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, NY. Programming will include presentations and panels featuring major players in the Anime world including VIZ Media, Kodansha, Striker Entertainment, Patencio Development, BioWorld, and Mad Engine to name a few. Additionally, there will be VIP discussions and networking opportunities.

The Anime NYC X Tracks Licensing Summit will tap into some of the following topics:

  • The Global Rise of Anime & Manga Licensing
  • Gaming IP: From Console to Consumer Products
  • The Korean Wave
  • From Fandom to Retail
  • The Power of Collectibles & Kidult Culture

“Anime is now one of the fastest-growing sectors in global licensing,” stated MK Goodwin, VP at LeftField Media, the events company that organizes Anime NYC. “The core market of anime and manga is nearly a 50 billion dollar industry, and is projected to grow to over 120 billion dollars by 2033. The licensing aspects tied to anime and manga are expected to outpace the core content market. It’s time we addressed this business, and what better place than at Anime NYC.”

Steven Ekstract, Co-Founder of X Tracks Licensing Summits, added, “We’re thrilled to partner with Leftfield Media and Anime NYC to launch a dedicated X Tracks Licensing Summit focused on the explosive growth of Asian entertainment and its impact on global licensing and retail. Since our founding in 2022, anime and manga have been cornerstone topics at X Tracks—now, for the first time, we’re dedicating an entire day to the fandom-driven forces reshaping the business.”

About X-Tracks

X Tracks Licensing Summits are executive-level conferences launched in 2022 to explore where content, culture, and commerce intersect in today’s rapidly evolving brand licensing landscape. Designed for senior leaders across entertainment, retail, and consumer products, X Tracks delivers high-impact, curated programming focused on emerging growth areas—from anime, gaming, and digital creators to fashion, food & beverage, and experiential retail—while fostering meaningful connections that drive real business outcomes. Like licensing itself, X Tracks is built on partnerships—each event is developed in collaboration with leading organizations such as Anime NYC, the Toy Association, the Bentonville Film Festival, and the Fashion Institute of Technology—practicing what we preach by bringing together the brands and platforms shaping the future of the business.

About Anime NYC

Anime NYC is the East Coast’s leading anime convention and one of North America’s most influential celebrations of Japanese pop culture. Rapidly growing in scale and global reach, the four-day festival transforms New York City’s Javits Center into a premier destination for fans, creators, publishers, studios, and industry leaders from around the world. Recognized with the Consul General Award from the Japanese Ambassador for advancing cultural exchange, Anime NYC delivers exclusive premieres, headline-making appearances by top creators from Japan and all over the world, expansive exhibits, and immersive programming that rivals the largest anime events in the world. The next Anime NYC takes place August 20–23, 2026. For more information, visit www.AnimeNYC.com

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ANIME NYC PR Contact:
Sue Procko
The Procko Group
[email protected]