For fans of anime and Japanese pop culture, art, fashion and entertainment — the Los Angeles Anime Expo is in town.
The expo, now in its 33rd year, kicked off on July 4 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and ends Sunday, July 7. Thousands of fans and entertainers gathered for four days of programming and showcases, organized by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation. Many came decked out in cosplay of their favorite characters, movies and series, with plenty of fun interactions.
Jewyls Bui, who came to Anime Expo weekend from Stockton, said that she and her friends were taking Friday to explore the shopping opportunities, dressed as characters from the Sanrio franchise.
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jewyls Bui and friends attend Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Gabrielle Gillette, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Catie Rose, 18-years old, and May Medina, 18-years old, at the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People cross the street as they make their way into the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People cross the street as they make their way into the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Catie Rose, 18-years old, and May Medina, 18-years old, at the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People crowd during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People visit a booth during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People visit a booth during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Toys on display during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Danielle Deraleau, Dallas, dressed as Frieren, during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People make their way into the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costume pose for photos during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A vender selling stuffed animals during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People visit booths during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People take photos during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Nina Bear dressed as a character from the game Ys X: Nordics during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People look at Hello Kitty merchandise at the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Danica Hammond and Nina Bear dressed as characters from the game Ys X: Nordics during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes take photos during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People look at booths at the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People look at Hello Kitty merchandise at the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People make their way into the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People play a game during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People dressed in costumes for the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Singer Euria Sin, know as OR3O, performs at the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Danica Hammond dressed as a character from the game Ys X: Nordics during the Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Amy Villegas said this was her third time at Anime Expo, this time with her two children Nami and Michelle, who were also dressed up as characters from the anime “Demon Slayer.” They were excited to attend a panel where they learned to make origami rings and balloons.
Anime Expo is the largest celebration of Japanese pop culture, music, video games and popular art in North America, taking place every year since 1992, organizers said. Programs included professional industry panels, talent shows, autographs with voice actors, a comedy show, tabletop gaming, a “butler” and “maid” cafe, cosplay contest and more.
Kim Saleem, who came dressed as Eve from “Stellar Blade,” said she has been going the expo with friends since 2010, and sees it as a place to show off cosplay creations, and to go shopping.
“I feel like dressing up adds a different level of fun,” Saleem said.
Li Nguyen, 20, said he would be going to five more panels before the end of Friday, and was looking forward to attending special previews for new anime projects over the weekend.
This year’s Anime Expo lineup included exclusive premieres, celebrations, panels, talent appearances and more, along with special guests including creators like Ryōko Kui, Shōji Kawamori, director Katsura Hashino and Studio Ghibli’s Yoichi Nishikawa.
The event continues through Sunday, July 7. For more information, visit www.anime-expo.org.
