Anime NYC 2024 hits the Javits Center: photos + video

The increasingly popular three-day anime convention, Anime NYC, returned to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center this past weekend, August 23–25, for a jam-packed experience filled with animation, manga, video games, panels, screenings, merchandise, and plenty of cosplay.

Since its inception in 2017, Anime NYC has seen tremendous growth, starting with an estimated 20,000 attendees and expanding to around 60,000 just last year. The 2024 edition of the convention shattered all expectations, with a reported attendance of over 101,000 people swarming the showroom floor. The surge in attendance was evident as the halls of the Javits Center shimmered with vibrant colors, thanks to the incredible fans dressed in their best costumes, many inspired by popular anime franchises like One Piece, Demon Slayer, Hunter x Hunter, Naruto, Chainsaw Man, and more.

Highlights included the convention’s first-ever American Manga Awards, which honored manga creators and their great stories, as well as the publishing professionals who help make it possible for North American fans to discover these fantastic Japanese tales and characters. A few of the winners of the 2024 American Manga Awards include #DRCL midnight children for Best New Manga, Delicious in Dungeon for Best Continuing Manga Series, Stephen Kohler for his translation work on Witch Hat Atelier by Kamome Shirahama, and Adam Grano for Best Publication Design for My Name Is Shingo by Kazuo Umezz.

Anime NYC’s 300,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall was filled with vendor booths, swarmed by excited con-goers eager to snag their favorite anime-related comics, graphic novels, trading cards, toys, statues, posters, prints, apparel—you name it. Even Anthrax bassist Frank Bello couldn’t stay away, bringing his son Brandon for their first Anime NYC visit. On Instagram, he humorously referred to it as “empty your wallet day” and reiterated that they had a blast.

Additionally, actor Lou Diamond Phillips, known for his roles in classic movies such as Stand and Deliver and Courage Under Fire, as well as TV shows like Miami Vice and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, was reportedly spotted roaming through the convention halls. Meanwhile, on Anime NYC’s Main Stage, Japanese hip hop duo Creepy Nuts entertained fans during their first-ever U.S. concert appearance.

Scroll down to view our photographic coverage of the event, along with video of our walkthrough capturing all the great cosplay action. Anime NYC is set to return to the Javits Center from August 22-24, 2025. Mark your calendars and stay tuned to animenyc.com for news and updates.

Anime NYC 2024 cosplay photos by Johnny Perilla: