Credit: IRVIN RIVERA

Anime Expo 2024, also known as AX33, hit Los Angeles from July 4 to July 7, transforming the city into a playground for anime fans and enthusiasts from all over North America. Imagine thousands of fans, each one more excited than the last, all gathered under one roof to celebrate their love for anime. The convention center was a madhouse of excitement, with people rushing to panels, show premieres, and, of course, snapping selfies with kawaii cosplayers.

Credit: Xinhua News

Kodansha stole the show this year, putting a big spotlight on their hit sports series, Blue Lock. Imagine giant soccer balls and intense face-offs everywhere you look! They also had jaw-dropping displays for other fan favorites like Shangri-La Frontier, Fairy Tail, and the legendary One Piece. It felt like Kodansha took over AX 2024, especially since their manga booth was smack dab in front of the main hall entrance, greeting over 407,000 attendees like a boss.

But wait, Kodansha wasn't the only big player flexing at AX 2024. Toho Animation's booth was the place to be, inviting fans to sing and dance along to catchy anime opening and ending songs from hits like My Hero Academia and Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. If you heard off-key singing, it was probably me trying to keep up!

Credit: Yookay9

This year’s booths were next-level with elaborate photo props. Want a pic with sage mode Gamakichi from Naruto? Done. How about posing with characters from Metaphor: ReFantazio? Check. They even had a Goku vs. Jiren display from DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO, Frieren and her party members, a ton of Demon Slayer characters, the iconic Swordfish II spaceship from Cowboy Bebop, and a lucha arena for fans to pose with characters from Kinnikuman Perfect Origin Arc. Vendors like OMOCAT and Good Smile had us all breaking our piggy banks with their latest must-have merch.

And let's talk about the cosplayers! AX 2024 was a cosplay paradise. We saw everything from Frieren to Sakura Kinomoto from CCS, Eevee, Magikarp, and Pikachu from Pokemon, Shampoo from Ranma 1/2, and the entire party from Delicious in Dungeon. The creativity was off the charts!

Credit: Anime Corner

Missed the wild ride that was AX33? Don’t sweat it! Anime Expo is already gearing up for a comeback at the Los Angeles Convention Center from July 3 to 6, 2025. Can't wait that long? You're in luck! The Ontario Convention Center is hosting Anime Expo Chibi on November 9 and 10. Trust me, you don't want to miss out on the fun!

See you next year, and may your cosplay be ever flawless!