Raleigh's premier anime convention! Celebrating the world of Japanese culture through anime, manga, music, and more! www.animazement.comhttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3mloxxp7zrc2cOur friends at JASNC are hosting a screening on Sunday, May 17 of Poupelle of Chimney Town followed by a Q&A with the creator, Akihiro Nishino. They are also offering a discount for our AZ community! Save $10 on the $15 general ticket! Follow the link for the code https://www.animazement.com/2026/05/12/poupelle-of-chimney-town-screening-event/12 May 2026 23:47 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mloxxp7zrc2chttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3mlgvn43ack2yThis year, we will be having special autograph sessions for Hiroaki Hirata. If you are interested in getting his autograph this year, please make sure you've read through the rules linked below. Online ticket sales will open on Friday, May 15th at noon. https://www.animazement.com/2026/04/25/2026-hirata-hiroaki-autograph-policy/09 May 2026 18:44 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlgvn43ack2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3mlblpdgks22kTickets for our Sake Tastings and Shamisen Workshops are now on sale! Links to each type of session can be found here: https://www.animazement.com/special-events/ Remember, seating for these sessions is limited, so we advise buying early if you want to guarantee a seat!07 May 2026 16:03 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlblpdgks22khttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3ml22jzeczc2tIt’s here! The official 2026 schedule for Animazement! Just scan the QR code below to get the Guidebook app, or you can access the web version at https://builder.guidebook.com/g/animazement2026/. And continue to check back as we update our Guide with tons more exciting info!04 May 2026 16:07 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml22jzeczc2thttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3mksjuy2fzs2kBack by popular demand, our special Sake Tasting Sessions and Mini Tsugaru Shamisen Workshops will be returning for 2026. We plan to open advance sales for these sessions starting at noon on May 7th. You can follow the link below for more info, including pricing https://www.animazement.com/special-events/01 May 2026 16:20 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mksjuy2fzs2khttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3mkqgjjgo7s2pAttention singers! Don't forget that the sign ups for our Karaoke Contest close tomorrow night, May 1st, at 11:59pm. If you miss this sign up window, you won't be able to sign up at the convention! Follow the link below for our rules and our sign up form! www.animazement.com/karaoke/30 Apr 2026 20:15 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkqgjjgo7s2phttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3mjanym2hc22kPlease welcome back The☆Jacabal’s to AZ 2026! They are a samurai actor unit that performs on stage and on TV. We look forward to them returning to Animazement to host sword dancing demonstrations, performances, and more!11 Apr 2026 20:21 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjanym2hc22khttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3mhqxitccks2aApplications for our 2026 Cosplay Craftsmanship contest are now open! We'd love to see all your cosplays, but spots are limited, so don't wait to sign up. https://www.animazement.com/cosplaycraftsmanship/23 Mar 2026 21:03 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhqxitccks2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3mhlvy3pkrs2yAttention cosplayers! Are you ready to do battle in the ultimate chess match? Get ready to compete in The Battle of Questionable Tactics! Applications for this year's Cosplay Chess match are now open! www.animazement.com/cosplay-chess/21 Mar 2026 20:52 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhlvy3pkrs2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3mh7edzrtb22xApplications for our 2026 Masquerade are now open! We're looking forward to seeing all your creativity, but we have a limited number of spots available, so the sooner you apply, the better! www.animazement.com/masquerade/16 Mar 2026 21:05 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mh7edzrtb22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3mh4pcwm3uc22Please welcome director Shinichiro Watanabe as a guest for Animazement 2026. As a director he has worked on such titles as Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy, Kids on the Slope, and Lazarus. He has also worked as a screenwriter and a music producer. https://www.animazement.com/guests/shinichiro-watanabe/15 Mar 2026 19:43 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mh4pcwm3uc22https://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3mh4ljqjnhs2oAttention fan panelists! There are just two weeks left to submit your panels for this year. Submissions close on March 29th at 11:59PM. We can't wait to see your amazing ideas! www.animazement.com/panels/15 Mar 2026 18:35 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mh4ljqjnhs2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3mgzxkboaek2yWe are excited to welcome voice actor Toshio Furukawa to Animazement 2026! He is best known for his roles as Kai Shiden in Mobile Suit Gundam, Piccolo in Dragon Ball, Ataru Moroboshi in Urusei Yatsura, and Portgas D. Ace in One Piece https://animazement.com/guests/toshiofurukawa14 Mar 2026 17:32 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgzxkboaek2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3mgzxirzehs2yWe are also excited to welcome voice actor Shino Kakinuma to Animazement 2026! She is best known for her roles as Naru Osaka in Sailor Moon, Videl in Dragon Ball Kai, and more! https://animazement.com/guests/shino-kakinuma14 Mar 2026 17:32 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgzxirzehs2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3mgxcgxmkqs2vWe are excited to bring back our Toy Photography Contest for 2026! Check out our page for more info, then get out there and take some amazing photos! https://www.animazement.com/toyphotocontest/13 Mar 2026 16:09 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgxcgxmkqs2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3mgnj73za3k2iMark your calendars, cosplayers! Applications for our Masquerade will open a week from today on March 16! So get those last minute details settled and get ready to show us what you've got! Applications for Cosplay Craftsmanship will open the following week. We can't wait to see your amazing cosplays09 Mar 2026 18:44 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgnj73za3k2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3mgiewahfw22iWe are excited to welcome Shihori as this year's musical guest for Animazement 2026! She’s best known for "Holy Steel," the fan theme song for "Jojo's Bizarre Adventure” and the theme songs for many popular games like League of Legends. https://www.animazement.com/guests/shihori/07 Mar 2026 17:44 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgiewahfw22ihttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3mfzevfvdcc2cApplications for our Karaoke Contest are now open! We've made some changes for 2026, so be sure to read the contest rules before you apply! We can't wait to see you perform! www.animazement.com/karaoke/01 Mar 2026 18:34 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfzevfvdcc2chttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3mfww3cxa322dPlease welcome Aaron Dismuke as a guest for AZ 2026! His voice acting credits include Alphonse Elric in Fullmetal Alchemist, Tamaki Amajiki in My Hero Academia, Senku Ishigami in Dr. Stone, and many others! https://www.animazement.com/guests/aaron-dismuke/28 Feb 2026 19:03 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfww3cxa322dhttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3mfwvfkx5222hPlease join us in welcoming Kamen Casey as a guest for AZ 2026! He has voiced characters in anime including Blue Lock, One Piece, I'll Become a Villainess, and more! https://www.animazement.com/guests/kamen-casey/28 Feb 2026 18:51 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfwvfkx5222hhttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3mfwsx6b2m22jPlease join us in welcoming Sarah Wiedenheft as a guest for AZ 2026! You've heard her voice in numerous anime including Chainsaw Man, Dragon Ball Super, and Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid, among many others. https://www.animazement.com/guests/sarah-wiedenheft/28 Feb 2026 18:07 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfwsx6b2m22jhttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3mfwnjvnrqs2eAMV creators, get ready! Submissions are now open for our 2026 AMV Contest. You'll have until May 1st to submit your entries. We can't wait to see your creations! www.animazement.com/amv-contest/28 Feb 2026 16:30 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfwnjvnrqs2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3mffbnhdsv22vPlease welcome Lisa Ortiz to AZ 2026! Lisa is a voice actor, director and producer. She's currently the director of Pokémon Journeys and Pokémon Horizons, and has voiced dozens of Pokémon. You've also heard her as many characters including Lina Inverse & Amy Rose https://www.animazement.com/guests/lisa-ortiz/21 Feb 2026 18:42 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mffbnhdsv22vhttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3mffaqwml2c2vPlease join us to welcome voice actor Reagan Murdock as a guest for AZ 2026! You've heard his voice as Aki Hayakawa from Chainsaw Man, Shion from Hell’s Paradise, among others! https://www.animazement.com/guests/reagan-murdock/21 Feb 2026 18:26 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mffaqwml2c2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3metwfbovm22sPlease join us to welcome YouTuber and content creator Norm Nakamura for AZ 2026. He can usually be found capturing the many sides of Japan on his YouTube channel Tokyo Lens. https://www.animazement.com/guests/norm-nakamura/14 Feb 2026 21:05 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3metwfbovm22shttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3metp2rsxrs2dWe are pleased to welcome two talented guests from the CG production company QREAZY.14 Feb 2026 18:54 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3metp2rsxrs2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3metjvbqvuc2wPlease join us in welcoming voice actor Hiroaki Hirata to AZ2026! You've heard his voice as Sanji in One Piece, Kotetsu Kaburagi in Tiger & Bunny, and most recently, Beryl Gardinant in From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman, among many other anime and games https://www.animazement.com/guests/hiroaki-hirata/14 Feb 2026 17:22 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3metjvbqvuc2whttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3memcaiesk22ePlease join us in welcoming back biwa player Hakusui Ogiyama to AZ 2026! She specializes in Satsuma Biwa and performs both traditional Japanese classical music and more modern songs. https://www.animazement.com/guests/hakusui-ogiyama/11 Feb 2026 20:16 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3memcaiesk22ehttps://bsky.app/profile/animazement.bsky.social/post/3membn5hiz22ePlease join us in welcoming back sanshin player Kaizan Nitta to AZ 2026! Born on Okinoerabu Island, which is just north of Okinawa, he learned to play the sanshin. He performs a wide range of genres from traditional to Okinawan pop. https://www.animazement.com/guests/kaizan-nitta/11 Feb 2026 20:05 +0000at://did:plc:4vrddi4g2p6xkbradb72h7rn/app.bsky.feed.post/3membn5hiz22e