The Ultimate Guide

AF AM: VIP Kickoff

Start your Anime Fiesta day with exclusive VIP entertainment, games, giveaways and more before doors open!

Fanzines 101

An introduction to the world of fan-created zines: collaborative projects featuring artwork, fanfiction, merch and more, made and published by fandom members all over the world. Learn how to find projects, get involved, and use fanzines to grow your creative skills and connect with fellow fans.

Fit Your Cosplay in the Bag

Join HuskyHubbyCosplay as they share what they've learned traveling up the coast and across the country with some of their biggest builds, including Alphonse, Heimdall, and Kaiju No.8. Packing strategies for flights, road trips, and public transit so your cosplay stays safe, organized, and con-ready. Bulky, armored, or just plain awkward to transport, they'll break down how to pack smart and travel with confidence.

Live On Stage with Freddy Vela feat. Kira Buckland

Join Kira Buckland, the voice of 2B in NieR: Automata, Mitsuri Kanroji in Demon Slayer, Jolyne Cujoh in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean and Beatrice in Re:Zero! Hear stories from behind the mic, fan-favorite roles, voice acting and more!

Sketchbook Swap

Bring your sketchbook. Trade pages with other artists, fill someone else's book, and walk out with a piece of the community in yours.

Mortal Kombat 1

How to Get Started in Remote / Online Voice Over

Ever dreamed of becoming a voice actor but don't know where to begin? Join Kyle and Kenkoy as they break down the world of remote voice acting: building an affordable home setup, finding auditions, joining talent rosters, and choosing the right projects. Hear real-world experience from working voice actors and discover why great voice acting is about much more than just having a good voice. Stick around for an interactive exercise to put it into practice.

Japanese Face Change Performer: ENISHI

Experience Japanese performer ENISHI’s mesmerizing Face Change act as he transforms before your eyes!

Live On Stage with Freddy Vela feat. Ethan Gallardo

Rio Grande Valley native Ethan Gallardo talks voice acting, his journey from the RGV to the anime industry, fan-favorite roles and more!

The Amazing Digital Circus Cosplay Meetup

We will gather as many TADC cosplayers as we can and talk about the opinions we all had on the final ending of the animation. Afterwards we'll gather and those who want to introduce themselves as their character, in character, can do so, and we'll judge as a group. Small goodies for participants while supplies last.

SF6

JoJo Limbo

How low can you pose? A JoJo's Bizarre Adventure take on limbo. Strike the pose, hold the pose, and prove your stand power under the bar.

Japanese Face Change Performer: ENISHI

Experience Japanese performer ENISHI’s mesmerizing Face Change act as he transforms before your eyes!

ATLUS Games Meetup

Calling all Persona, Metaphor, SMT, and any cosplaying fans of the ATLUS games! Showcase your cosplays from the many worlds ATLUS has built and meet new friends who have walked the same journey. Expect group photos, prizes for the best cosplayers, and small games celebrating the fandom.

Friday Cosplay Showcase

Kick off Anime Fiesta weekend with cosplay! Watch cosplayers take the Main Stage to show off their incredible looks, favorite characters and creativity in this fun, all-levels showcase!

Fiesta Idol: Karaoke Contest

Karaoke meets the Main Stage in Fiesta Idol! Contestants perform in character and sing their hearts out as they compete to become Anime Fiesta’s next Fiesta Idol, hosted by Saja Boys singing voices Andrew Choi and Neckwav!

AF AM: VIP Kickoff

Start your Anime Fiesta day with exclusive VIP entertainment featuring Japanese face change performer ENISHI, plus anime trivia giveaways!

Live On Stage with Freddy Vela feat. Andrew Choi & Neckwav

The Saja Boys are in the house! Join Freddy Vela live on stage with Andrew Choi (Jinu) and Neckwav (Abby), two of the singing voices behind the Saja Boys from KPop Demon Hunters. Expect stories, laughs, audience interaction and plenty of KPop Demon Hunters fun!

Weeb Olympics: The Ultimate Otaku Challenge!

Ready, set, SENPAI! Compete in wild, silly, over-the-top anime-themed challenges like JoJo pose-offs, ramen slurp races, "Notice Me Senpai" shout battles, and more. Shonen powerhouse or magical girl in disguise, test your skills, earn bragging rights, and maybe win prizes. Come play, come watch, come scream your favorite attack name.

Japanese Face Change Performer: ENISHI

Experience Japanese performer ENISHI’s mesmerizing Face Change act as he transforms before your eyes!

Live On Stage with Freddy Vela feat. Robbie Daymond & Ray Chase

From Jujutsu Kaisen’s Megumi, Sukuna and Choso to Final Fantasy XV’s Prompto and Noctis, these fan-favorite voice actors have shared the screen for years. Expect stories, audience interaction and plenty of unpredictable fun!

Q&A Panel with Richard Epcar & Ellyn Stern

Anime Goes Metal: Shred Guitar with Widowmaker Josh

Turn up the volume as Widowmaker Josh gives your favorite anime music a metal makeover in a high-energy live shred guitar performance!

Live On Stage with Freddy Vela feat. Bryce Papenbrook & Lauren Landa

It’s an Attack on Titan reunion! Join Freddy Vela live on stage with Bryce Papenbrook (Eren Jaeger) and Lauren Landa (Annie Leonhart) as they talk anime, voice acting, fan-favorite roles and more.

The Physics of Anime

Ever watched an anime and wondered, "Is that even possible?" It might surprise you how much attention the creators paid in science class, especially in science fiction anime. Part physics lecture, part geek-out session. Interactive, educational, and most importantly, entertaining. Questions and discussion encouraged.

Invincible VS

Valley Symphony Orchestra Presents: Sounds of Anime Concert Vol. III

Experience the music of anime like never before as the Valley Symphony Orchestra returns for Sounds of Anime Vol. III! Hear iconic themes and unforgettable soundtracks from your favorite anime brought to life in a live quartet performance.

Demon Slayer Cosplay Meetup

A meetup for every cosplayer who loves Demon Slayer. Slayers, Hashira, and demons roaming in the dark all welcome. Group photos, prizes for standout cosplays, and a build-your-team game.

Tekken 8

Anime Fiesta Cosplay Championship

The biggest cosplay event of the weekend! Watch Anime Fiesta’s top cosplayers take the Main Stage to showcase their incredible craftsmanship, creativity and characters as they compete for our biggest cosplay awards!

K-Pop Corner

Join Bittersweet's K-Pop Corner for a celebration of all things K-pop. Dance, connect, and enjoy a high-energy set featuring a K-pop Random Dance Play, live performances, and a chance to celebrate the music and culture we all love. Dancer, longtime fan, or brand new. Everyone's welcome.

Smash Ultimate

Lobotomy Kaisen: JJK Brainrot Trivia

The ultimate Jujutsu Kaisen trivia challenge, where deep anime knowledge meets peak community brainrot. Audience against audience in a fast-paced game show covering everything from complex Cursed Techniques to the wildest "Lobotomy Kaisen" memes.

Karaoke with Cristina Salinas

Anime Afterglow: Silent Rave

Grab a pair of glowing headphones, choose your channel and hit the dance floor! Switch between DJs and find your vibe at Anime Fiesta’s Saturday night Silent Disco.

AF AM: VIP Kickoff

Step up to the mic for The Choicer Voicer Challenge! Listen to iconic voices, give us your best impression, and see how your performance scores. Audience volunteers wanted! Also featuring Anime Goes Metal: Shred Guitar with Widowmaker Josh.

Live On Stage with Freddy Vela feat. AJ Beckles

Join AJ Beckles, the voice of Okarun in DAN DA DAN and Takemichi in Tokyo Revengers! Hear stories from behind the mic, fan-favorite roles, voice acting and more!

K-Pop Random Dance Play!

Got the dances to your favorite K-pop songs stuck in your head? So do we. Follow along to a playlist of your favorite choreographies, with a 5-second countdown before each song so you can jump in if you know it or step aside and cheer on your fellow fans. Seasoned dancer or first-timer, this is the place to celebrate K-pop and dance the day away.

Invincible Meetup

Suit up and join fellow fans of Invincible for a meetup celebrating the hit comic and animated series. Invincible, Atom Eve, Omni-Man, Rex Splode, Robot, Allen the Alien, everyone is welcome. Meet other fans, take epic group photos, and make friends who share your love for the series. In full costume or just stopping by to admire the builds, come through.

Japanese Face Change Performer: ENISHI

Experience Japanese performer ENISHI’s mesmerizing Face Change act as he transforms before your eyes!

Anime Goes Metal: Shred Guitar with Widowmaker Josh

Turn up the volume as Widowmaker Josh gives your favorite anime music a metal makeover in a high-energy live shred guitar performance!

Main Character Energy feat. Mallorie Rodak, Kira Buckland, Emi Lo & Anjali Kunapaneni

Main characters only! Join Mallorie Rodak, Kira Buckland, Emi Lo and Anjali Kunapaneni for a conversation celebrating the incredible female protagonists they bring to life, from fantasy adventurers to fierce heroines and everything in between!

Pokémon Binder Meetup

Show off your Pokémon collection in style. Binders are more than card storage. They're a creative way to showcase your favorite Pokémon, Trainers, and themes. Explore customization techniques with fellow collectors, including cover painting, the Michi Method, themed layouts, must-have materials, and more. Starting out or leveling up, you'll leave with ideas to make it uniquely yours.

Guilty Gear

Live On Stage with Freddy Vela feat. Johnny Yong Bosch

Join the legendary voice behind Ichigo in Bleach, Vash in Trigun, Lelouch in Code Geass and countless fan-favorite characters!

Uma Musume Cosplay Meet-Up!

Calling all Umas and Trainers! The ultimate Tracen Academy Uma Musume cosplay meet up. Cheer for your favorite horse girl as they get ready for their next race, enjoy games and group photos, and maybe catch your favorite Uma taking the stage for a special performance. Racing to victory or supporting from the sidelines, this is one you won't want to miss.

Valley Symphony Orchestra Presents: Strings & Screams, A Halloween Quartet

Get into the spooky spirit with the Valley Symphony Orchestra quartet performing haunting favorites from film and television, including themes from Stranger Things, Beetlejuice, Psycho, The Exorcist, Ghostbusters and more!

Into the Hatsune MikuVerse!

Calling all Hatsune Miku and Vocaloid fans! A fun, interactive panel celebrating the many faces of Miku. Test your knowledge in "Guess That Miku!" as cosplayers take the stage and the audience identifies each variant. Then design your own original Miku or Vocaloid variant using provided templates and art supplies, and share your creation with fellow fans, because in the Miku universe, every Miku is canon.

Gachiakuta Meetup

Talk the story of Gachiakuta and the power its characters hold inside themselves to keep going. Includes a mini quiz and freebies while supplies last.

Anime Fiesta Presents: Prop Wars!

Challengers race against the clock using provided materials, and a surprise Mystery Element, to create an incredible cosplay prop before the audience crowns the new Prop Wars Champion!

Karaoke with Cristina Salinas

Japanese Face Change Performer: ENISHI

Experience Japanese performer ENISHI’s mesmerizing Face Change act as he transforms before your eyes!

Sunday Cosplay Showcase

End your Anime Fiesta weekend with cosplay! Watch cosplayers take the Main Stage to show off their incredible looks, favorite characters and creativity in this fun, all-levels showcase!