Please welcome back The☆Jacabal’s to AZ 2026! They are a samurai actor unit that performs on stage and on TV. We look forward to them returning to Animazement to host sword dancing demonstrations, performances, and more!
The image reads "Cosplay Craftsmanship Applications Open!" The text is laid over an image of an empty dress form with a measuring tape draped over it.
Applications for our 2026 Cosplay Craftsmanship contest are now open! We'd love to see all your cosplays, but spots are limited, so don't wait to sign up. www.animazement.com/cosplaycraft...
The image reads "Cosplay Chess online applications open through May 15." Behind the text a group of cosplayers pose for a picture on stage.
Attention cosplayers! Are you ready to do battle in the ultimate chess match? Get ready to compete in The Battle of Questionable Tactics! Applications for this year's Cosplay Chess match are now open! www.animazement.com/cosplay-chess/
The text reads "Masquerade Applications Open!" The background shows a performer on a stage being watched by a large audience.
Applications for our 2026 Masquerade are now open! We're looking forward to seeing all your creativity, but we have a limited number of spots available, so the sooner you apply, the better! www.animazement.com/masquerade/
A black and white photo of Shinichiro Watanabe. His arms are crossed and he is wearing dark sunglasses.
Please welcome director Shinichiro Watanabe as a guest for Animazement 2026. As a director he has worked on such titles as Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy, Kids on the Slope, and Lazarus. He has also worked as a screenwriter and a music producer. www.animazement.com/guests/shini...
The image reads "fan panels applications open through March 29"
Attention fan panelists! There are just two weeks left to submit your panels for this year. Submissions close on March 29th at 11:59PM. We can't wait to see your amazing ideas! www.animazement.com/panels/
We are excited to welcome voice actor Toshio Furukawa to Animazement 2026! He is best known for his roles as Kai Shiden in Mobile Suit Gundam, Piccolo in Dragon Ball, Ataru Moroboshi in Urusei Yatsura, and Portgas D. Ace in One Piece animazement.com/guests/toshi...
We are also excited to welcome voice actor Shino Kakinuma to Animazement 2026! She is best known for her roles as Naru Osaka in Sailor Moon, Videl in Dragon Ball Kai, and more! animazement.com/guests/shino...
We are excited to bring back our Toy Photography Contest for 2026! Check out our page for more info, then get out there and take some amazing photos! www.animazement.com/toyphotocont...
Mark your calendars, cosplayers! Applications for our Masquerade will open a week from today on March 16! So get those last minute details settled and get ready to show us what you've got! Applications for Cosplay Craftsmanship will open the following week. We can't wait to see your amazing cosplays
We are excited to welcome Shihori as this year's musical guest for Animazement 2026! She’s best known for "Holy Steel," the fan theme song for "Jojo's Bizarre Adventure” and the theme songs for many popular games like League of Legends. www.animazement.com/guests/shiho...
text laid over an image of a microphone on stage. The text reads "Karaoke Contest Applications Open through May 1st"
Applications for our Karaoke Contest are now open! We've made some changes for 2026, so be sure to read the contest rules before you apply! We can't wait to see you perform! www.animazement.com/karaoke/
A photo of Aaron Dismuke with images of many characters he has voiced. The text below his name reads "May 22-24, 2026 Raleigh, NC"
Please welcome Aaron Dismuke as a guest for AZ 2026! His voice acting credits include Alphonse Elric in Fullmetal Alchemist, Tamaki Amajiki in My Hero Academia, Senku Ishigami in Dr. Stone, and many others! www.animazement.com/guests/aaron...
A photo of Kamen Casey also featuring images of many characters he has voiced. The text below his name reads "May 22-24, 2026 Raleigh NC"
Please join us in welcoming Kamen Casey as a guest for AZ 2026! He has voiced characters in anime including Blue Lock, One Piece, I'll Become a Villainess, and more! www.animazement.com/guests/kamen...
a photograph of Sarah Wiedenheft and multiple characters she has voiced. The text below her name reads "May 22-24, 2026 Raleigh NC"
Please join us in welcoming Sarah Wiedenheft as a guest for AZ 2026! You've heard her voice in numerous anime including Chainsaw Man, Dragon Ball Super, and Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid, among many others. www.animazement.com/guests/sarah...
text reads "AMV Contest submissions open through May 1st"
AMV creators, get ready! Submissions are now open for our 2026 AMV Contest. You'll have until May 1st to submit your entries. We can't wait to see your creations! www.animazement.com/amv-contest/
a photograph of Lisa Ortiz along with numerous animated characters. The text beneath her name reads "May 22-24, 2026 Raleigh, NC"
Please welcome Lisa Ortiz to AZ 2026! Lisa is a voice actor, director and producer. She's currently the director of Pokémon Journeys and Pokémon Horizons, and has voiced dozens of Pokémon. You've also heard her as many characters including Lina Inverse & Amy Rose www.animazement.com/guests/lisa-...
A photograph of Reagan Murdock along with images of several anime characters. Below the image it reads "May 22-24, 2026 Raleigh, NC"
Please join us to welcome voice actor Reagan Murdock as a guest for AZ 2026! You've heard his voice as Aki Hayakawa from Chainsaw Man, Shion from Hell’s Paradise, among others! www.animazement.com/guests/reaga...
a photograph of Norm Nakamura in profile. He is holding a camera and looking out over a brightly lit city at night.
Please join us to welcome YouTuber and content creator Norm Nakamura for AZ 2026. He can usually be found capturing the many sides of Japan on his YouTube channel Tokyo Lens. www.animazement.com/guests/norm-...
Koki Endo is a Technical Artist / CG Generalist at QREAZY. He is responsible for a wide range of CG production processes, and has worked on projects like Wave!!: Surfing Yappe!!, SHY, and The Irregular at Magic High School. www.animazement.com/guests/koki-...
Akira Yoshiyasu has been active as a CG director since around 2003. He has served as a 3DCG director for anime works like One Piece: The Cursed Holy Sword, Air: The Movie, Zatch Bell! Attack of Mechavulcan, among many other projects. www.animazement.com/guests/akira...
We are pleased to welcome two talented guests from the CG production company QREAZY.
a photo of Hiroaki Hirata smiling at the camera
Please join us in welcoming voice actor Hiroaki Hirata to AZ2026! You've heard his voice as Sanji in One Piece, Kotetsu Kaburagi in Tiger & Bunny, and most recently, Beryl Gardinant in From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman, among many other anime and games www.animazement.com/guests/hiroa...
Hakusui Ogiyama kneeling in front of a white background holding a biwa.
Please join us in welcoming back biwa player Hakusui Ogiyama to AZ 2026! She specializes in Satsuma Biwa and performs both traditional Japanese classical music and more modern songs. www.animazement.com/guests/hakus...
Please join us in welcoming back sanshin player Kaizan Nitta to AZ 2026! Born on Okinoerabu Island, which is just north of Okinawa, he learned to play the sanshin. He performs a wide range of genres from traditional to Okinawan pop. www.animazement.com/guests/kaiza...
a photograph of Koji Nagai wearing a suit and tie
We are pleased to welcome back Koji Nagai to AZ 2026. He has produced many works for TV including Ace Attorney, Space Brothers, Kekkaishi, Yashahime: Princess Half Demon, and My Hero Academia. www.animazement.com/guests/koji-...
Mr. Yusa seated in front of a tablet screen that features a drawing of a baseball player. His hand is poised to draw, and he is looking back at the camera.
We are always pleased to welcome back Kazushige Yusa as a guest for AZ 2026. He is a 2D and 3D animation writer, director, and illustrator and he brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in the animation industry. www.animazement.com/guests/kazus...
an image of performers on a stage. the text reads "Idol Showcase sign ups open through Feb 28"
Attention Idols! Our sign ups for this year's Idol Showcase are now live. Follow the link below to find out how to sign up. We can't wait to see you on our stage! www.animazement.com/idol-showcase/
a picture of Someta Hayashiya. He is dressed in bright orange and smiling brightly at the camera.
Rakugo comedian, Someta Hayashiya, also returns for Animazement 2026. Rakugo is a comic storytelling art that has been entertaining the Japanese for over 400 years and you won't want to miss his shows! www.animazement.com/guests/somet...
Etsuko Kawamura seated at a table dressed in a black and grey kimono
Etiquette teacher and kimono expert, Etsuko Kawamura will return to Animazement in 2026. From Japanese tea to traditional kimono, she has taught us so much about Japanese culture. We can't wait to see what we'll learn this year! www.animazement.com/guests/etsuk...