Anime NYC, November 2023

I remember when Anime NYC first started and it was in a small section of the Javitz.  Back then a lot of people never heard of the convention, however that fact that it as an anime convention held at the Javitz Center, home of New York Comic Con (NYCC), it drew a lot of interest.  Back then lobby conning was still an option and many cosplayers attended just to hang out.  The merchandise area back then was your typical convention hall anime con, however, over the years, it expanded to a level close to the set up for New York Comic Con.  Fast forward, and Anime NYC has become one of the most popular anime conventions and I would say just as popular as AX.  I compare Anime NYC to NYCC as it’s held in the same location and as a cosplay photographer, I will look at conventions where photo opportunities with cosplayers have a heavy weight when it comes to my decision to attend. 

Anime NYC is one of the few conventions where I will spend time in the merchandise area as the vendors and artist alley have more custom and unique shops, and not filled with reselling of merchandise one can find online. 

Be prepared for the crowd size.  It definitely gets packed and due to being held in November, there’s no venue in the immediate area outside, unlike NYCC.  Anime NYC also does not have the new Javits section, so it does add to the overall crowd inside.  It will be interesting to see how Anime NYC will be in August of 2024.  I am hoping the outside area will be available for photography. 

As mentioned in my NYCC article, I will lodge typically in Secaucus NJ and take the ferry in from Weehawken.  The ferry to Midtown drops passengers off right behind the back corner of the Javitz, so it’s much more convenient that taking the train to Penn Station and walking around a mile to the Javitz.  Hotels are usually 1/3 the price of hotels in NYC.