Planning a trip around anime conventions in Asia in 2026? You’re not alone. More US fans are skipping the long lines at home and flying out for the real thing — bigger guest lists, bigger stages, and a totally different con culture.
This guide covers every major Asia anime convention 2026 has to offer, with real dates, ticket info, and a full plan for booking your trip from the United States. No guesswork, no outdated listings — just what you need to lock in your trip.
Asia Anime Convention Calendar 2026: Full Schedule by Month
Here’s the confirmed 2026 anime convention calendar for Asia’s biggest shows. Dates can shift, so always double-check with the official event page before booking flights.
Anime Fest!+ 2026 ran April 18–19 at Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. It’s one of several smaller shows the team runs throughout the year, built around cosplay markets and regional artists.
Cosplay Mania 2026 takes place October 2–4 at in Pasay City, Philippines. Organized by Cosplay.ph, it’s the country’s longest-running cosplay-focused convention, known for its Japanese Anime Music (JAM) concert nights.
AGF Korea 2026 (Anime x Game Festival) runs December 4–6 at in Goyang, near Seoul. AGF crossed 100,000 visitors for the first time in 2025, and organizers project around 120,000 for 2026 — making it one of the fastest-growing subculture festivals in Asia.
Comic Fiesta 2026 runs December 19–20 at in Kuala Lumpur. It’s Malaysia’s oldest and largest animation, comics, and games (ACG) convention, pulling in 75,000 visitors in its most recent edition.
AFA Singapore 2026 closes out the year November 27–29 at. This edition marks 60 years of Singapore-Japan diplomatic relations, and AFA remains the flagship event in the long-running Anime Festival Asia series, which also holds editions in Indonesia and Thailand.
For travelers looking for regional events, check out our guide to the Best Anime Conventions in Southeast Asia 2026.
How to Choose the Right Asia Anime Convention for Your Trip
Not every convention fits every fan. Here’s how to match the event to what you actually want out of the trip.
If you care most about concerts and anisong artists, AFA Singapore is the strongest pick. Its “I Love Anisong” concert series regularly books major Japanese music acts, something smaller regional shows can’t match.
If cosplay competitions are the draw, Cosplay Mania in Manila and Comic Fiesta in Kuala Lumpur both run dedicated cosplay stages, workshops, and creator hubs built specifically for costume-makers.
If you’re more into gaming culture alongside anime, AGF Korea leans harder into game publishers, esports-adjacent content, and VTuber guests than the other events on this list.
Budget and flight time matter too. Singapore and Kuala Lumpur have more direct connections from major US hubs than Manila or Seoul, which can cut hours off a already-long trip.
Asia Anime Convention Tickets 2026: Prices, Tiers & How to Buy from the USA
Most Asia anime conventions sell tickets in tiers, similar to what US fans see at home — just with different names. AFA Singapore, for example, splits tickets into Exhibition-only, Exhibition + Stage, and Exhibition + Stage + Concert passes, with each tier unlocking more access.
Buying from the US takes a bit more planning. Ticket platforms are usually priced in local currency (SGD, MYR, KRW, or PHP), so your card issuer will convert the charge at the time of purchase. A card with no foreign transaction fee saves real money here.
Presale beats on-site buying almost every time. Presale tickets are cheaper and guarantee entry, while on-site tickets can sell out or cost more, especially at record-breaking shows like AGF Korea.
Book early for the biggest shows. AFA Singapore and Comic Fiesta both draw tens of thousands of attendees, and popular ticket tiers with concert access tend to sell out weeks or months ahead.
Planning an Asia Anime Con Trip from the US: Flights, Visas & Packing
A few things change once your anime convention trip crosses an ocean.
Visa rules depend on the country. US passport holders can enter Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines visa-free for short tourist stays. South Korea also allows visa-free entry for US citizens for stays under 90 days. Always confirm current entry rules before booking, since policies do change.
Flight time is the biggest planning factor. Expect 18–24 hours of total travel time from most US cities to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Manila, often with one layover. Seoul tends to run slightly shorter from West Coast cities.
Jet lag hits harder on a con trip. Building in one buffer day before the event starts helps you adjust and avoids burning out on day one of a multi-day show.
Pack for humidity, not just cosplay. Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines run hot and humid year-round. Breathable layers under cosplay, a portable fan, and a reusable water bottle go a long way inside crowded exhibition halls.
Asia Anime Conventions vs. Anime Expo: What US Fans Should Know
Anime Expo (AX) in Los Angeles is the benchmark most American fans compare everything else to — and the scale gap is real. AX 2026 drew a record 422,000 turnstile attendees from more than 65 countries, generating an estimated $115 million in local economic impact, according to the
No single Asia convention matches AX’s raw size yet, but the region’s shows are closing the gap fast. AGF Korea grew roughly 40% in one year to cross the 100,000-visitor mark, and Comic Fiesta has become Southeast Asia’s largest ACG gathering in its own right.
The bigger difference is atmosphere, not attendance. Asia cons tend to blend anime with wider pop culture entities — K-pop-adjacent stages, regional cosplay scenes, and local creator markets — giving US fans a genuinely different experience than a domestic show, even a massive one like AX.
FAQs
Can a 17 year old go to Anime Expo alone?
Largely yes. Anime Expo’s official policy only requires an adult to accompany minors aged 13–17 when picking up a mailed badge in person at Will Call. AX recommends, but doesn’t require, that 14–17 year olds keep a guardian nearby during the event itself. Attendees 13 and under must stay with an adult the entire time, per.
How many people will be at Anime Expo 2026?
Anime Expo 2026 already happened, running July 2–5 in Los Angeles, and set an all-time record of 422,000 turnstile attendees from over 65 countries — up from 410,000 the year before, per.
Is there an anime convention in Tokyo in 2026?
Yes. AnimeJapan 2026 was held March 28–29 at Tokyo Big Sight and drew a record 156,000 attendees across its two public days. Jump Festa, hosted by Shueisha near Tokyo at Makuhari Messe, runs December 20–21, closing out the year for Japan-based fans.
Are there any anime conventions scheduled in the Philippines in 2026?
Yes. Cosplay Mania 2026 runs October 2–4 at SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City, organized by Cosplay.ph. It’s the country’s flagship cosplay and anime convention, alongside smaller regional shows the same organizer runs throughout the year.
Conclusion
Asia’s anime convention scene is only growing, and 2026 gives US fans more reasons than ever to book the trip. Whether you’re chasing concerts at AFA Singapore, cosplay stages at Comic Fiesta, or the sheer scale of AGF Korea, a little planning around tickets, visas, and flights turns a bucket-list trip into a straightforward one.