AX
Anime Expo - Los Angeles
Anime Expo is the largest celebration of Japanese pop culture in North America and has been held in southern California since 1994. This year it was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center. I have not heard a final head count, but the official number for 2023 was over 392,000 attendees from more than 60 countries. To put some scale to that number, Super Bowl XIV was the top attended Super Bowl at 103,985 fans.
Halls and lobbies filled up fast and never seemed to really stop as the LA Convention Center was eventually occupied end to end. Exhibit halls included the Main Hall, Artists Alley, Panels, Premiers, Gaming and Interactive Events.
Of course, this event would not be complete without Cosplay.
Costumes ranged from small accessories to full on professional level ensembles. Characters from all corners of anime were roaming the halls and isles of every exhibit. Colorful and creative, some spared no expense in preparing for their chosen look for this event.
Vendors and various interactive exhibits filled the main hall. It was well organized and designed to maximize the entire AX experience. I think I even came across a dance floor at one point. Shoulder to shoulder in many areas, the attendees moved through the displays attempting to take it all in.
Artists Alley included artwork of all things anime, along with many of the artists. This area was popular from the opening and was virtually impassable later in the day. Lines formed at some of the more popular art exhibits as attendees waited to pick out their preferred piece and perhaps even get it autographed.
Everywhere you looked - People. So many that the event planned in advance for a “Quiet Room” for those that needed a break from all the activity. It was a dimly lit room with the AC cranked and most importantly, NO TALKING above a whisper.
The was a unique camaraderie as familiar interests drew strangers together. I watched as two young ladies, who as far as I could tell had never met, stopped to admire each other’s costume and seemed to become instant friends. They talked for quite awhile before going their own way.
The diversity at this event was inspiring, with people traveling from all over the world to attend. I could not tell you how many languages that I heard throughout the day. Multiple nationalities and people groups were represented, with a common bond of interest erasing any differences.
This is an interesting genre that I was unaware of until recently. I am glad I got the opportunity to document this event and enjoyed the experience.
