Top 10 Biggest Anime Conventions in the World

Anime conventions are a perfect place for anime fans to get together and experience all things anime. Fellow fans, merchandise, panels, cosplay, and more are what attracts people to these conventions.

Here are the top 10 biggest anime conventions in the world:

10. Anime Matsuri, United States

Anime Matsuri is held in Houston, Texas, and is the second-largest anime convention in America. Though recent disputes cut the total attendees down to 29,000 in 2019 compared to 40,000 in 2018, it remains to be one of the most popular anime conventions in the United States.

What’s notable about this convention:

• Anime Matsuri hosts a car exhibition showcase with Japanese and anime influenced car culture.
• An episode of the reality show Heroes of Cosplay was filmed at Anime Matsuri.
• Plenty of video game demonstrations and tournaments in the Amusement Hall.

9. Heroes Manga Madrid, Spain

Heroes Manga Madrid is Spain's second-largest convention with 58,000 fans attending in 2017. 

What's unique about this event:

• Martial arts demonstrations in Kendo, Kung-fu, and Aikido.
• The Premios Heroes Manga, or "Manga Heroes Awards" gives fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite manga, authors, and other categories.
• Professional cosplayers offer classes for all levels of experience to improve your cosplay.

8. Comic Fiesta, Malaysia

Comic Fiesta is one of Southeast Asia's largest anime conventions, with 65,000 attendees in 2019. It is the host to the biggest amateur creative market in Malaysia, alongside bringing in many guests in the comic, music, and animation industries.

What's special about this event:

• This event doesn't happen only once a year, Comic Fiesta also hosts two mini conventions in addition to the big one.
• Comic Fiesta's Creative Art Market has over 100 booths to showcase upcoming artists, selling posters and self-published comics.
• Comic Fiesta offers live art demonstrations, as well as portfolio reviews.

7. HYPER JAPAN, England

Established in London, HYPER JAPAN offers a close look at Japanese culture, fashion, and food. This convention occurs twice a year in summer and winter and brought in 86,000 attendees in the summer of 2015.

What's notable about this event:

• Displays all aspects of Japanese life, including games, food, and music.
• Photo opportunities with popular mascot characters like Pikachu and Hello Kitty.
• Those over 18 can sample and purchase over 30 varieties of sake, a Japanese rice wine, at the Sake Experience.

6. Anime Expo, United States

Anime Expo, also referred to as AX, is based in Los Angeles and is the largest convention in North America, bringing in over 115,000 people.

What's unique about this event:

• In 2021, Anime Expo celebrated its 30th year anniversary and hosted a fanart contest of its mascots.
• Anime Expo hosts The World Cosplay Summit USA finals.
• Anime Expo runs a Digital Influencer program to inspire optimistic online anime content creation and interactions.

5. Anime Festival Asia

Anime Festival Asia, or AFA for short, is based in multiple countries, hosting in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The largest convention, held in Singapore, have had 120,000 attendees.

What's notable about this event:

• The AFA Film Fest has viewings of the newest anime movies.
• Meet and greets for popular voice actors and singers.
• Dozens of guests, including local performers and celebrity cosplayers.

4. Anime Japan, Tokyo

Anime Japan is a merger between two former conventions that began in 2014. Its last event brought in over 140,000 attendees.

What's special about this event:

• The AJ Illustration Walk showcases art from manga artists and other renowned illustrators.
• Fans get a behind-the-scenes viewing of the creation of anime at the Production Works Gallery.
• Anime Japan comes with many stages for movies and concert.

3. Manga Barcelona, Spain

Manga Barcelona is Spain's biggest anime convention, having over 150,000 people in 2018.

What's notable about this event:

The Spanish preliminaries for the World Cosplay Summit are held here, including other cosplay and karaoke contests.

Otaquiz offers fans a chance to test your anime knowledge.

The Manga Kids section caters activities for kids.

2. Japan Expo, France

The largest anime convention outside of Japan, the event had over 252,000 attendees in 2019. Based in Paris, the convention runs various events in Belgium and other places in France.

What's unique about this event:

• Japan Expo has its own currency system, called "Jens.” This is a play on the word, “yen,” this fictional currency can be earned through activities and games, and then spent at the Jens shop. Jens don’t expire and can be spent the next year.
• Workshops on various events such as food, art, and sports.
• The convention provides a rush hour schedule to alert attendees ahead if they prefer to avoid a large crowd and long lines.

1. Comiket, Japan

Short for “Comic Market,” Comiket is the definite largest anime and manga convention in the world, bringing in over 750,000 anime fans, ambitious artists, and cosplayers in 2019. Comiket is also Japan's largest indoor public gathering.

What's special about this event:

• Comiket's key attraction is manga, and it's the best place to pick up self-published works called "Doujinshi.”
• Comiket is held twice a year, in August and December.
• Comiket generously sponsors a woodlands conservation donation drive, since manga uses a lot of paper.

And that's the list. Anime conventions are a fantastic place to embrace anime and its fans from any walk of life and is a true joy to attend to. Every anime fan should attend at least once and see what they find special at these events.