Rakugo comedian, Someta Hayashiya, also returns for Animazement 2026. Rakugo is a comic storytelling art that has been entertaining the Japanese for over 400 years and you won't want to miss his shows! www.animazement.com/guests/somet...

Etiquette teacher and kimono expert, Etsuko Kawamura will return to Animazement in 2026. From Japanese tea to traditional kimono, she has taught us so much about Japanese culture. We can't wait to see what we'll learn this year! www.animazement.com/guests/etsuk...

Do you have a favorite anime you want to talk about? An anime game show you want to host? Something about Japan you love and can't wait to share? Now's the time! Fan Panel applications are open through March 29th! www.animazement.com/panels/

We're very excited to announce that in 2026 the Animazement Idol Showcase will be an official convention event! Sign ups will open on February 1st. You can check out the link below for rules and information. www.animazement.com/idol-showcase/

Happy New Year to you all! We can't wait to see you in 2026!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and happy holiday season from our AZ family to yours. We hope your holiday is filled with joy, fun, and lots of anime goodies to unwrap!

Attention Artists! Applications for our 2026 Artists' Alley are now OPEN! Follow the link below for information on how to apply. You've got until 12am on December 29th to apply. As always, we look forward to seeing all of your outstanding portfolios! www.animazement.com/artists-alley/

Attention Artists! Mark your calendars and get your portfolios ready. Applications for our 2026 Artists Alley will open on Monday, December 15th and will remain open for the following two weeks. Visit our website to learn everything you'll need to know to apply! www.animazement.com/artists-alley/

UPDATE: The Residence Inn link is now up and running. We're sorry again for the inconvenience.

Reservation blocks for our convention hotels are now open! PLEASE NOTE! There will be some delay in opening reservations for the Residence Inn Raleigh Downtown as we work on correcting an issue with the reservation link. We apologize for the inconvenience. www.animazement.com/hotels/

Attention Vendors. Tomorrow is the last day you can apply for our 2026 Dealers' Room. Don't miss the deadline tomorrow night at 11:59pm. www.animazement.com/dealers-room/

Mark your calendars. Hotel reservation blocks will open for AZ 2026 on Tuesday, November 11th at 9am. While you wait, you can check our website for available hotels and room rates. www.animazement.com/hotels/

Attention Vendors. Applications for our 2026 Dealers' Room will open on October 1st and will remain open throughout the month of October. You can find all the info you need to apply on our page. www.animazement.com/dealers-room/

NEW EPISODE! Another great year of Animazement has come and gone and Bill, Austin, and Tori are here to tell you all about it. Pay no mind that the convention ended almost a month and a half ago! thirdimpactanime.com/2025/07/15/t...

While at @animazement.bsky.social, I spoke with the fine folks of Animator Supporters about their efforts to help new talent navigate the industry in the face of low pay and toxic working conditions. They didn’t sugarcoat it; the industry is hostile to animators and it’s been that way for too long.

I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to interview some amazing people for ANN, but this just might be my favorite one While at @animazement.bsky.social, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Hiroshi Nagahama about his anime career, love of action figures, and how those passions intertwine

The North Carolina Symphony invites the Animazement community to attend their special event Video Games Live™: Bonus Round! Follow the link below to find out how to access the presale! www.animazement.com/2025/06/18/p...

If you compare the anime industry to a historical document, Masao Maruyama has been around since ink was first put to parchment—or, in his case, paint to celluloid.

The One Piece and Tiger & Bunny actor spills the beans on Tiger & Bunny 2 production and a whole season worth of scripts that weren't used.

Did you watch one of our contests this past weekend, but miss the announcement of the winners? Check out the list here to find out. Thank you to everyone who participated in our contests this year! You did an outstanding job! www.animazement.com/2025/05/28/2...

It's been a couple days since we were all together, and we hope everyone has had a chance to get some good rest and indulge in sharing some amazing memories. We already can't wait until next year! This year, we were joined by 11,617 of you over the course of the weekend, and (cont.)

Are you already ready for next year? Now's the time to take advantage of our post-con special! From now through June 7th, get your 2026 full weekend admission for just $50! az2026.eventbrite.com

Come and join us in Ballroom AB for Closing Ceremony. Instead of good-bye, let's say: "Until next year!"

Starting at 1:30 in Exhibit Hall C, don't miss our traditional Japanese concert! This concert is open to the public! If you're not an AZ badgeholder, please enter through the McDowell St entrance and proceed to Exhibit Hall C.

We know there's still fun to be had today, but once you've made your way safely home, please take a moment to fill out our Feedback form. Your feedback is what helps us make Animazement a success every year! Tell us what you liked and how we can do better. forms.gle/SBS2wT61rf9J...

It's Sunday, and you know what that means! It's Cosplay Chess time! Join us to watch our chessmasters in a battle for the ages! Who will win? Find out at 10am in Ballroom AB.

Good morning everyone! Welcome to day 3 of Animazement!

Hey @animazement.bsky.social attendees! Get your 18+ wrist bands to join us for Awesomely Bad After Dark in just over two hours at 11pm tonight in Room 301AB. The mayhem must be unleashed!

It's almost time! Don't miss this year's Masquerade contest! 7pm in Ballroom AB!

Don't take the L. Be at the Masquerade tonight at 7pm!

One Piece fans! Join Hiroaki Hirata and Ryusei Nakao for a panel all about everyone's favorite pirates, starting now in Room 301AB!

Three creative teams. Three models. One mystery theme. One hour to create a full cosplay to hit the runway. One champion team with free badges to Animazement. Who will emerge victorious? Project: Cosplay starts in just half an hour! Join us in room 304 at 12:30pm and see what happens!

Starting the Museum day off right with the Daicon IV on a 32 inch CRT at the Museum. #Animazement

Starting soon at 11:30, join biwa player Hakusui Ogiyama as she performs very famous Japanese stories about "Genji," the hero of the world's first novel

Here's a sneak peek of some of the items that will be at our Charity Auction today @ 4pm. Come bid on Digimon Adventure T-shirts and Desk mouse pads signed by Hirokai Hirata, Ryusei Nakao, Chika Sakamoto and Chie Koujiro. The auction winner's name will also be added to the items by one of the guests

Day 2, let's go~ (Photo from @animazement.bsky.social )

No more need to wait in line. The Dealers' Room and Artists Alley are now open!

Did you miss the Rakugo show yesterday? Well you're in luck! Someta Hayashiya will be performing again this morning at 11am, and Sunday at 11:30am. You don't want to miss the chance to catch this unique brand of Japanese comedy!

The doors are open! Welcome everyone to day 2 of Animazement!

Important Update: We are changing the logistics for a few of our autograph sessions tomorrow. If you are coming for autographs from Hiroaki Hirata, Ryuusei Nakao, Chika Sakamoto, or Chie Koujiro, the following process will be in effect starting tomorrow (Saturday). cont.

If you're at @animazement.bsky.social and need the game room stamp... Come for the stamp, stay for the magical girls firing lasers at each other~

Hope folks here for @animazement.bsky.social are checking out the Museum. We have a rare 3D video system that was exclusive to Japan running throughout the weekend. We'll be rotating through the anime titles Dead Heat and Scoopers, so come check out this bit of old tech. #Animazement

It's time for #Animazement 2025! Our favorite anime convention always has wonderful guests, great music concerts, and interesting cultural panels. Plus, it's in our hometown! A fun weekend ahead! #Animazement2025

Join us for Shoujo Rock Heaven at Animazement starting now in Room 306B!

Why yes, we do indeed have the new hotness. Do ya have the stones to get through the demo without taking a hit? Come to the game room and find out~ (Photo from @animazement.bsky.social )

The Dealers' Room opens soon! While you're there, be sure to stop by the AZ merch table and get your hands on this year's t-shirts!

Still haven't made dinner plans for tonight? In collaboration with Animazement, O-Ku Raleigh is thrilled to invite you to an exclusive guided dining experience that brings a taste of Japan to downtown Raleigh. Learn more at: www.animazement.com/local-events/

Our stamp game is back! Collect all 12 stamps scattered throughout the convention, then bring your completed conbook to the AZ Dealers' Room table. You'll receive a free button (while supplies last).

The doors are open! Welcome everyone to Animazement 2025!!

Trying to make myself stay up so I have the power to present tomorrow.