Big Apple Idol Fest

It’s time to sparkle, shine, and celebrate J-Idol culture at Anime NYC’s BIG APPLE 🍎 IDOL FEST, debuting in 2026!

Experience the feel of a Taiban (対バン) in Japan, right here in NYC! BAIF is a concert-style showcase of idols from all over! Idols of all levels of experience will be welcome. All of our idols will all be bringing their best performances to the stage at Anime NYC, radiating with passion – You don’t want to miss it on Sunday, August 23!

Make sure to bring your penlights, lightsticks and glowsticks to support the idols, and be sure to cheer as loud as you can!

2026 Idols

Mai Urania is your Caffeinated, Carbonated, 2.5D idol! Since debuting in 2024, she’s been giving her all into performing, specializing in whatever Anisong or Love Live hit catches her attention that week!

Maizon Dance is a performance crew based in the NY/NJ area that began as a close group of friends with a shared love of music and dance. Since forming in 2022, they’ve captivated audiences with high-energy K-pop and J-pop dance covers both online and on stage. Known for their versatility, Maizon has explored everything from bright, bubbly idol routines to darker, more haunting concepts inspired by the eerie side of J-pop idol culture.

With a devilish yawn
and an angelic sigh,
are you ready for the sweetest dream?

Meet Oyasumimi, an Idol duo who aim to utilize live singing and dancing to bring the Idol community a piece of Chika Idol culture, hoping that each performance will leave their dreamers with warm memories and a good night’s sleep

Pan Ranger is a tokusatsu and mecha inspired Kaigai idol based in New Jersey. Debuting 2021 and celebrating their 5th anniversary this year, they have toured the US, released original music, and worked to create resources for the Kaigai idol community through various events and organizations. Through their performances, they seek to spread anikura culture.

Nurture a beautiful garden of sound and song with your flower-in-bloom, 2.5D idol, singer-songwriter, and VA, Phoebe. Turn your penlights pink and join Phoebe as she weaves a dazzling tale on and off the stage and screen. A happy end lies ahead for those who still believe they can write one!

We are five beings who believe that each of us possesses a radiant energy fueled by each one’s individuality. Even when eclipsed by hardship, we continue to shine bright. It is in pure darkness that stars shine the most light. Together, we bring those stars to life! We are ECLIP5E☆!

With their big smiles and bright energy, Trademark is ready to light up the stage! This California Bay Area idol duo can’t wait to share their high-energy performances and idol magic for the first time on the East Coast!

Radiating passion and enthusiasm, Yumeiro Picnic is an idol duo aiming to share the heartwarming spirit of chika idol culture and make fresh memories with you.

Let’s all work together to liven up the stage! With good company, every day’s a picnic 🧺

We are five beings who believe that each of us possesses a radiant energy fueled by each one’s individuality. Even when eclipsed by hardship, we continue to shine bright. It is in pure darkness that stars shine the most light. Together, we bring those stars to life! We are ECLIP5E☆!

Soleil is coming to the stage! This performance celebrates friendship, dreams, and the dazzling spirit of idols. We can’t wait to share the stage with you!

2026 Auditions

Applications closed May 22, 2026 at 11:59pm ET, and status emails will be sent out no later than June 5, 2026 11:59pm ET. All applicants will receive an email.

APPLICATIONS CLOSED

FAQs & Idol Fest Rules

  • Please try to provide FULL VIDEO of your performances, even if it’s just one song. Please also try to provide clear, high quality video (phone cameras are fine). If you do not have any recent video, you can also supply an “audition” tape, such as you practicing one of the songs in your setlist.
  • We are primarily looking for J-pop idol content, and cosplay covers from Japanese media. This is not a Masquerade, so please no skits.

  • Your performance length cannot exceed ten minutes, and must fall within family friendly guidelines (no cursing, sexual themes, et cetera).
  • There is no minimum length, but we do request at least one full length (not TV size) song, a minimum of two minutes long.

  • If accepted to perform, you will receive a complimentary badge for Anime NYC.
  • We are unable to provide any other compensation including but not limited to food, travel, or hotel. If you have purchased a badge prior to acceptance, we will not be able to provide a refund.

Please reach out to [email protected] with any further questions – We’ll be happy to help!

Wota Sans Frontieres

Meet our champion for the Big Apple Idol Fest: WSF!
Founded in 2025, Wota Sans Frontieres is an event production organization based in the Northeast, dedicated to running quality Japanese idol-culture centric events throughout North America with one single goal in mind at each one: to remove the borders from idol culture.

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