With this year’s 31st annual convention being the first in-person Anime Expo since 2019, the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) announced that they’ll be hosting “anime expo,” a smaller-scale spinoff convention to provide fans with another celebration of Japanese pop culture this November.
“Seeing our Anime Expo family once per year simply isn’t enough, which is why we’re incredibly excited to bring the brand-new ‘anime expo’ event to Ontario, California,” said Ray Chiang, CEO of SPJA. “2022 was a success, and we look forward to carrying that positive momentum into this smaller-scale show that provides a unique, more intimate opportunity for fans of Japanese pop culture to come together a second time this year.”
With a focus on the exhibit hall and artist alley experience, the spinoff event will be taking place at the Ontario Convention Center on November 12-13.
“After three long years away from the Los Angeles Convention Center, it was incredibly important to all of us at SPJA that our community be welcomed home with a truly unforgettable convention experience,” Chiang added. “And, thanks to all the participants–including exhibitors (small and big alike), artists, industry and sponsors–and the incredibly hard work and dedication shown by each and every volunteer and staff member, we’re proud to say that this year’s show not only met, but exceeded our expectations. We can’t wait to show you what we have in store for next year!”
SPJA’s event will return to the Los Angeles Convention Center next year from July 1-4 and ticket sales will be announced in fall 2022. Catch you before then, at the anime expo in Ontario!
