[2026] A Year-Round Guide to Anime and Game Events in the Tokyo Area. Including Cosplay, Manga, and VTubers!

We’ve compiled a month-by-month list of must-see anime and game events taking place in and around Tokyo in 2026. This annual guide covers everything from AnimeJapan, Tokyo Game Show, and Comic Market (Comiket) to cosplay, manga, and VTuber events. It’s a year-round event guide you can enjoy alongside your trip to Tokyo.

Quick Reference Guide to Anime and Game Events in the Greater Tokyo Area in 2026

*Latest information as of January 2026
*Event dates, names, and venues are subject to change

[March] AnimeJapan 2026

AnimeJapan is one of the largest anime events in the world. At the 2025 edition, the event attracted more than 150,000 visitors and marked its biggest scale ever, featuring exhibition booths from 116 companies and a total of 52 stage programs across four AJ Stages.

A similarly large-scale event is expected in 2026, with must-see content for anime fans, including the latest announcements on upcoming anime titles, talk shows featuring voice actors and production staff, and individual exhibition booths dedicated to specific works.

During the event, cosplay activities will also be held. In addition, the concurrently held "Family Anime Festa" is scheduled to feature character meet-and-greet sessions.

• Event Dates: March 28 (Sat) and 29 (Sun), 2026
• Venue: Tokyo Big Sight (East Exhibition Halls 4–8, South Exhibition Halls 1–4, Rooftop Exhibition Area)
• Official Website: https://anime-japan.jp/

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[March] hololive SUPER EXPO 2026

The large-scale real event “hololive SUPER EXPO” organized by the VTuber agency hololive production is an annual event where you can experience the world and activities of hololive in person at a real venue.

The theme for the 2026 EXPO is “hololive time-warp.” The event expresses the appeal of hololive that transcends time and place, and is structured around a central monument with three areas where visitors can experience various aspects of hololive through exhibitions and performances.

In addition, during the same period and at the same venue, hololive’s 7th all-member live concert “hololive 7th fes. Ridin' on Dreams” will also be held. This time, the hololive STAGE will feature a total of four stages, and for three days, affiliated talents will showcase their singing and dance performances.

• Event Dates: March 6 (Fri) to March 8 (Sun), 2026
• Venue: Makuhari Messe (International Exhibition Halls 4–8 / Makuhari Event Hall)
• Official Website: https://hololivesuperexpo.hololivepro.com/2026

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[April] Niconico Chokaigi 2026

"Niconico Douga" is a video-sharing platform that originated in Japan. Through internet-born performance culture such as original Vocaloid songs, anime song covers, and “odottemita” (dance cover) videos, it has produced many popular creators. In fact, renowned artist Kenshi Yonezu was once active on Niconico as a Vocaloid producer (Vocalo-P) early in his career.

Held every April, "Niconico Chokaigi" is a large-scale event that will celebrate its 15th edition in 2026. The venue hosts a wide variety of programs, including stages dedicated to Vocaloid and anime songs, “odottemita” dance projects, and appearances by celebrities and well-known creators. Cosplay is also very popular at the event, and with advance registration, even general visitors can participate in cosplay.

• Event Dates: April 25 (Sat) and 26 (Sun), 2026
• Venue: Makuhari Messe
• Official Website: https://chokaigi.jp/

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[May] NIJIFes 2026 (NIJISANJI Fes 2026)

Nijisanji, one of the largest VTuber (Liver) agencies, holds its annual large-scale event, "Nijisanji Fes." At the venue, there are many interactive programs such as talk shows and karaoke competitions featuring popular Livers, allowing fans to get up close and personal with their favorite talents. One of the biggest attractions is being able to experience each Liver’s unique personality and relationships in a real-life setting.

Among the highlights is the special stage where popular Livers gather together. Groups are formed exclusively for this event, and they deliver performances with original productions. Fans can enjoy moving between the exhibitions and the stage, making it a truly special few days. For anyone wanting to experience VTuber culture firsthand, this is an event you simply cannot miss.

• Dates: May 16 (Sat) and 17 (Sun), 2026
  *Special Stage: May 14 (Thu) to 17 (Sun), 2026
• Venue: Makuhari Messe (International Exhibition Halls 1–8)
• Official Website: https://fes.nijisanji.jp/2026/

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[July] Animelo Summer Live 2026 (Anisama 2026)

Held every summer, "Animelo Summer Live" (commonly known as Anisama) is the world’s largest anime song live event. Spanning three days, it brings together top artists from across different music labels. Over 50 groups participate, including anisong singers, voice actor artists, and J-POP and rock musicians. The event features collaborations and special performances that can only be seen here, making it the biggest stage of the year.

In 2025, the lineup included LiSA, known for the theme song of "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba," as well as voice actor artists like Nana Mizuki and Mamoru Miyano. Famous songs that everyone has heard at least once are performed, so both hardcore fans and casual anime enthusiasts can fully enjoy the event.

• Dates: July 10 (Fri), 11 (Sat), and 12 (Sun), 2026
• Venue: Makuhari Messe (Exhibition Halls 4–6)
• Official Website: To be announced
  *Latest information: https://anisama.tv/2025/news/articl25121902.html

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[August & December] Comic Market (Comiket)

Comic Market (commonly known as Comiket) is the world’s largest doujinshi (self-published works) convention. It is held twice a year, in August for summer and December for winter, each for two days. Since its first event in December 1975, Comiket has supported and nurtured Japan’s otaku culture. Today, it has grown into a massive event attracting over 250,000 visitors over two days (as of Summer 2025).

The main focus of the venue is the area for selling fan-made anime and manga books. However, Comiket is about much more than that. Comiket also features doujinshi from a wide range of genres including games, vehicles, and critiques, as well as cosplay photo sessions, which are a unique sight at the event.

Please note that admission is no longer free. You must purchase a ticket or a wristband-type participation pass in advance. There are no same-day sales, so if you plan to attend, be sure to check the official website beforehand! (Reference: Past ticket information)

• Dates:
• Summer (Comic Market 108): August 15 (Sat) and 16 (Sun), 2026
• Winter (Comic Market 109): December 30 (Wed) and 31 (Thu), 2026
• Venue: Tokyo Big Sight
• Official Website: https://www.comiket.co.jp/

[August] Hatsune Miku "Magical Mirai 2026"

The large-scale event "Magical Mirai," centered around the virtual singer Hatsune Miku, features 3DCG live performances with appearances by Kagamine Rin, Kagamine Len, Megurine Luka, and others. In addition to the concerts, there are also exhibitions of creators' works and workshops. Held annually since 2013, the total number of visitors is expected to exceed 580,000 by 2025. It has become a place where fans from both Japan and abroad gather together.

In 2026, in addition to the now-customary Tokyo and Osaka venues, the event is also scheduled to be held in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, the home base of Yamaha, the developer of the singing voice synthesis technology "VOCALOID." This will be a symbolic event that returns to the roots of Hatsune Miku's creation.

• Event Dates: Scheduled for July–August 2026 (August for 2025)
• Venues: Three cities—Tokyo, Osaka, and Hamamatsu *The Tokyo venue for 2025 was Makuhari Messe
• Official Website: https://magicalmirai.com/

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[August] Tokyo Toy Show 2026

Known as one of the largest toy industry trade shows in Japan, the "Tokyo Toy Show" is held over four days every August. The first half of the event is reserved for industry professionals, while the latter half features Public Days, when general visitors are welcome.

The venue is lined with booths from major domestic manufacturers, including Bandai, famous for the "Tamagotchi" series, Takara Tomy, known for "Licca-chan,"and Epoch, the the maker of Sylvanian Families. On Public Days, the show also offers children’s stage performances and hands-on activity booths, making it a great event for families to enjoy together. Please note that admission fees apply to adults aged high school and above, so be sure to check the official website for details before visiting.

• Event Dates: August 27 (Thu)–30 (Sun), 2026
• Venue: Tokyo Big Sight (West Halls 1–4)
• Official Website: https://www.tokyotoyshow.com/

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[September] Tokyo Game Show 2026

The "Tokyo Game Show," one of the largest gaming events in Japan, is a globally recognized event featuring new title announcements, demo play, developer talks, and exclusive merchandise sales. Every year, game fans and industry professionals from around the world gather, and in 2025, more than 260,000 people attended over four days. In 2026, for the first time ever, the event will be held over five days, promising even more excitement than usual.

Major domestic and international companies such as Square Enix, known for the "Final Fantasy" series, Sega, known for the "Sonic" and "Yakuza (Like a Dragon)" series, and Capcom, known for the "Resident Evil" series, will have booths at the venue. The public days tend to be especially crowded, so it is recommended to decide in advance which booths you want to visit.

• Event Dates:
• Business Days: September 17 (Thu) & 18 (Fri), 2026
• Public Days: September 19 (Sat)–21 (Mon, holiday), 2026
• Venue: Makuhari Messe
• Official Website: https://tgs.cesa.or.jp/

[October] Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival 2026

The “Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival,” held annually since 2014, is a large-scale cosplay event that takes place throughout the Ikebukuro East Exit area in Tokyo. In recent years, the number of visitors has continued to grow, and at the most recent event, a record 161,000 people attended over three days. It has become established as one of Japan’s leading cosplay events.

During the event, areas such as Naka-Ikebukuro Park, Sunshine City, IKE・SUNPARK, and Higashi-Ikebukuro Central Park are opened up as photo spots, and cosplayers from all over Japan bring color to the city. One of the attractions is that visitors can freely walk around, watch, and ask cosplayers for photos. Starting in 2025, the event has also featured experiences unique to Japan, such as rickshaw rides and matcha drinks, making it an increasingly international event.

• Scheduled Dates: October 2026 (In 2025, it was held from October 24 to 26)
• Location: Ikebukuro area

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[October] Nintendo Live 2026 TOKYO

“Nintendo Live,” a large-scale fan event hosted by Nintendo, is a rare opportunity to try out the latest hardware and new games in person. There will be demo booths for Nintendo Switch 2 and stage events.

At the 2025 event, there were tournaments for “Mario Kart World” in both the family and general divisions, as well as an official “Splatoon 3” tournament. All of these were serious competitions with spots in international tournaments on the line, and the venue was filled with excitement.

Please note that this event requires advance application, and walk-in participation on the day is not allowed. You must register a Nintendo Account to attend. Even if you cannot make it to the venue, you can watch the event on Nintendo’s official YouTube channel.

• Scheduled Dates: Fall 2026 (In 2025, it was held from October 4 to 5)
• Location: Tokyo Big Sight
• Official Website: https://www.nintendo.com/jp/live/index.html

[December] Tokyo Comic Con 2026

“Tokyo Comic Con,” held since 2016, is Japan’s largest festival for American comics, movies, and pop culture. The venue features a wide variety of content, including announcements about the latest movies and TV shows, company booths, cosplay gatherings, and the Artist Alley, where manga artists and animators display and sell their works.

The biggest highlight is the photo sessions and autograph signings featuring international celebrities. At the 2025 event, Johnny Depp from "Pirates of the Caribbean" and Elijah Wood from "The Lord of the Rings" series visited Japan, which became a major topic of conversation. Many fans are already looking forward to seeing which celebrities will appear in 2026.

• Event Dates: Scheduled for December 2026 (In 2025, held from December 5 to December 7)
• Venue: Makuhari Messe
• Official Website: https://tokyocomiccon.jp/

[December] Jump Festa 2027

"Jump Festa" is a large-scale year-end event for fans of Jump series, organized by the publisher Shueisha.

At the venue, a variety of programs are held, with the "Jump Super Stage" where new information about popular series is announced at the center. There are also plenty of highlights inside the venue, such as the sale of exclusive merchandise and original items, as well as photo sessions with mascot characters. This event is recommended not only for those who want to get the latest news about their favorite series as soon as possible, but also for anyone who wants to experience the world of Jump firsthand.

While anyone can participate in the event, advance application and selection through the official app "Jump NAVI" are required for admission. If you are considering attending, be sure to check the details early.

• Event Dates: Scheduled for December 2026 (In 2025, held on December 20 and 21)
• Venue: Makuhari Messe
• Official Website: https://www.jumpfesta.com/

How to Get Tickets for Anime, Voice Actor, and VTuber Live Events. Can You Buy Them from Overseas?

With some exceptions, both fan clubs and ticket agencies generally sell tickets only to residents of Japan. However, even fans living overseas may be able to apply for the ticket lottery if certain conditions are met. If you are determined to enter the lottery, try asking a friend in Japan for help!

For more details, please see the following related article.

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