Anime Expo 2025 in Los Angeles (photos)
Photo credit: Terrance Pryor/MP3s and NPCs
Thousands of anime fans from around the world came together at the biggest anime celebration in North America over the weekend.
The 2025 installment of Anime Expo took over the Los Angeles Convention Center as well as The Novo and Peacock Theater a couple blocks away for four days of anime premieres, panels, and musical performances. One of the biggest premieres taking place during the convention was the world premiere of New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt. It's been nearly 15 years since anime fans last saw the titular characters in action, and a packed Peacock Theater couldn't wait to witness their return. The show will launch on July 9 via Amazon Video.
As expected, a plethora of folks came to shop for some convention exclusives at the exhibit hall. The SEGA booth delivered with a slew of their newly released merch in addition to exclusive convention shirts for Persona fans while newly announced Panty & Stocking figures were sold first at Anime Expo. While the exhibit hall closed at 6 p.m., the party continued until midnight elsewhere. Whether folks were singing karaoke outside at AX Crossing, watching acts such as Just Cosplay Sings perform at Lounge 21, or dancing to DJ sets from folks such as ZOA inside AX Dance, there were plenty of activities available.
Our photos of the event can be seen below. Anime Expo is slated to return to the Los Angeles Convention Center from July 2 through July 5 in 2026. More information about the convention can be found here.
Since 2009, MP3s and NPCs owner Terrance Pryor has written about music, conventions, cosplay, and video games for publications such as AXS, Examiner, Fake Walls, and Ranker. Based out of Los Angeles, the former rock concert promoter/radio host can be seen talking about rock music on AXS TV’s Music’s Greatest Mysteries and discussing music and whatever else on their Black Man Talks Rock channel on YouTube.