Anime Expo Announces Live In-Person Convention Returns to LA in 2022

SPJA announced that Anime Expo will return to in-person events in 2022. The event will take place from July 1 through July 4 2022 at the Lost Angeles Convention center.

The news comes after the event concluded its digital event called Anime Expo Lite that hosted over 375,000 views across 100 counties. Fans tuned in to watch live streams on July 4 and July 4, which highlighted Star Wars: Visions Sneak Peek, the
Shikizakura world premiere, and the LisAni!LIVE L.A. concert featuring performances by ASCA, BURNOUT SYNDROMES, JO☆STARS, Liella! ( Love Live! Superstar!!), and Morfonica (BanG Dream!), as well as special guests such as Hololive English, NIJISANJI’s Lazulight.

“For the 2nd year in a row, Anime Expo was held online due to the Covid pandemic, but we were gratified and amazed at the continued strong support we received from so many fans from around the world,” says Ray Chiang, CEO of the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation. “We presented a comprehensive array of panel events, exclusive premieres, and sneak peeks, and music performances and made a sizeable donation to Hate Is A Virus, which will help them continue their work to battle anti-Asian discrimination and defamation, which continues to AAPI communities across the nation. As we look ahead to next year, we are excited to announce the return of Anime Expo to the Los Angeles Convention Center on July 1- 4, 2022, and to welcoming back all of our fans, exhibitors, and participants.”

Proceeds from the 2021 Anime Expo Lite online event benefited the Hate Is A Virus commUNITY Action Fund. The SPJA donated $77,000 to support local and national community organizations related to AAPI representation, mental health, and more.