Further Out:
If you want to head out a little bit further than LA proper and get a jump on the anime cons, why not Anime Riverside?
May 27 - 28
Riverside Convention Center, Riverside, CA
$tarts at $30 per day
This anime convention in Riverside County features a jam-packed two days of cosplayers and anime merch vendors. There's plenty of panels, voice actor signings and more to let you enjoy everything that's anime. They have something called Anime Wrestling, which has cosplayers looking like they're going to beat each other up, but really makes for good photos. This is only its second year and the convention looks like it's going strong. More info on everything here.
-Weird, Okamoto Kitchen OVA first look is happening at it. That's...that's just a food truck that's anime themed, but based here in SoCal, huh.
JUNE 20-26
Camelot Theatres
2300 E Baristo Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
$ee ticket and passes prices at their site
From press release:
The Palm Springs International ShortFest, one of the largest showcases of short-form cinema in North America, is scheduled for its in-person event this year from June 20-26, 2023. In addition to screenings, the ShortFest Forum will return with classes and panels featuring industry representatives, filmmakers and additional guests. The ShortFest Awards and cash prizes worth $25,000, including five Academy Award-qualifying awards, will be announced on Sunday, June 25. The Best of the Fest shorts will screen on the final day, Monday, June 26, as well as virtually from July 7-13.
Downtown:
June 23-25
Wisdome LA
1147 Palmetto St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
$85 – $395
EXOTIKON, celebrating the wild and weird world of Exotica. There will be performers, Exotika bands and DJs, xymposiums with local legends like Ray Buhen from Tiki-Ti, a vendor village, and a show-stopping Burlesque extravaganza.
This seems like a new type of convention, way different than ones we've seen before, but we have written about sneaker con and whatever ComplexCon is.
We're digging you can order a secret society festival ring if you want to spend the moolah.
July 1-4
LA Convention Center
$ee how much passes are and go up at their site.
The biggest anime convention in North America. The largest collection of anime goods and cosplayers you'll see on the West Coast unless you count Comic-Con. We've covered the event year after year only see it grow. It changes every time with new fun and new problems. It can be hassle to get too, but if you plan it out and park nowhere near it, you'll probably have a good time.
Just plan ahead with food and everything else and your day will be much more worth it.
Can't believe it , but the exhibit Hall map is already up, check it out here. We'll be having more updated on the con that's jam-packing itself this year soon.
Experience the #AX2023 Exhibit Hall Interactive Map! What Exhibitors are you stopping at?
— Anime Expo (@AnimeExpo) May 18, 2023
Exhibit Hall Interactive Map: https://t.co/EQxzyEGTUz
Register Now: https://t.co/4xnjv9nETq pic.twitter.com/GD8qcsbzCx
