New York City's biggest celebration of anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture is about to return, and organizers are calling it the largest edition in the convention's history. Thousands of cosplayers, collectors, and lifelong fans are already making plans around a weekend built entirely for Japanese entertainment culture.

Between exclusive premieres, major voice actors, and appearances from names behind some of the industry's biggest franchises, the event has become one of the most anticipated fixtures on the anime calendar. Streaming platforms are treating it as a launchpad for their own upcoming slates, adding another layer of anticipation for anyone planning to attend.

So when exactly does the convention begin, where can fans catch the biggest moments, and what should attendees expect once the doors open?

Before diving into what the convention has planned, fans first need to know exactly when the doors open and how long the celebration lasts. Anime NYC returns for its 2026 edition from August 20 to 23, once again taking over the Javits Center in Manhattan, one of the few venues in the city large enough to hold the scale of crowd the convention draws every year, as What's On Netflix has reported.

The show runs Thursday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST. Evening programming, including screenings and late-night panels, continues until around 10 p.m. EST on the first three days, giving fans far more to do than a single afternoon could cover. Organizers expect over 150,000 attendees across the four days, making Anime NYC the largest anime gathering on the East Coast, a scale that shapes everything from ticket availability to how fans should plan their weekend.

With the dates confirmed, the next question most fans ask is how to actually secure a spot inside the Javits Center, or whether they even need to be there in person.

Four-day and Saturday passes for Anime NYC 2026 are already sold out, though single-day tickets for Thursday, Friday, and Sunday remain available at the time of writing this article. Children five and under attend free at all times, and a new Kids Sunday ticket has been introduced this year for ages six to twelve.

Anime NYC has not confirmed an official livestream for its Main Stage panels this year, unlike some other major conventions that stream select programming online. Fans hoping to catch major announcements from outside the venue should follow Anime NYC's social media channels, along with outlets covering the convention on-site, for updates as panels happen. That leaves attending in person as the most reliable way to catch the convention's biggest moments live, including one panel already generating outsized attention.

‘One Piece’ Finds Its Perfect Adaptation in a LEGO Special Coming on Netflix

Among the panels drawing the most anticipation this week is one from a streaming giant arriving with its heaviest anime showcase yet.

Netflix is bringing one of its biggest anime presentations to date, continuing a partnership with the convention that has grown steadily over the past several years. The panel, held Thursday at 6:45 p.m. EST on the Main Stage, is set to bring first looks and new details on six major titles.

The lineup includes Cyberpunk: Edgerunners II, Blue Eye Samurai Season 2, Sakamoto Days Season 2, Fool Night, Bass X Machina, and LEGO One Piece. TikTok personality JuJu Green is hosting, with actors Brian Tyree Henry and Jacob Romero confirmed as guests. The lineup reflects how far Netflix has pushed into original anime beyond its live-action hits like One Piece, with special plans planned out by Netflix, treating Anime NYC as a stage for some of its most ambitious upcoming projects rather than a side stop on its release calendar.

Netflix Confirms Live-Action 'ONE PIECE' Cast for Upcoming LEGO Animated Specials

 Which panel are you most excited about? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!