What you need to prepare for Anime Expo 2022

Anime Expo 2022 is right around the corner. Here is a list of things you need to prepare for the biggest Anime event in North America.

AX brings together fans and industry from Japan, the US, and all over the world for the largest celebration of Japanese pop culture in North America. This event features the best in Japanese entertainment, music, fashion, and video games. This year’s event will take place on July 1-4, 2022 at the Los Angeles Convention Center! You need a badge to get into Anime Expo 2022 and a plan for all the fun things you want to do.

Have a Plan of Attack

Understand that even if you have a badge for all four days of Anime Expo, you still may not get to do and see everything you wanted to see. The event is so massive that it is not possible to see everything and do everything in just 4 days. So be sure to have a plan of attack for what you want to see and do! The convention’s website is a great resource for everything happening at the con. You can check out their “Things to do” page here. 

Make sure you have a badge

There are different types of badges available for this event: 4 -day badge, 1-day badge, 4-day child badge (for ages 6-13; kids 5 and under are free), and the Premiere Fan Badge. The Premier Fan badge has extra perks like entering the Exhibit Hall early. You can purchase a badge here. 

Ticket Events

Some events at Anime Expo are an additional ticketed price. That means that your badge for Anime Expo won’t get you into specific events. In addition to a badge for Anime Expo, you may need to purchase a ticket for specific events like the Masquerade, Concerts, Maid Café, Butler Café, AMV Competition (Tickets are free and only available on-site), and After Hours events. To find out which events require a ticket, check the AX website here. 

Schedule of Events

Events will take place at both the Los Angeles Convention Center and at the neighboring JW Marriot Hotel. Make sure to check the schedule for panel and activity dates, times, and locations.

If you’re someone who likes to make their own schedule in advance, we made a schedule you can fill out and print.  You can download or make your copy here.

Location Map

The location map is a lot to take in! Highly recommend heading to the full convention map that is available for viewing and download here.  And don’t forget that events will take place at both the Los Angeles Convention Center and at the neighboring JW Marriot Hotel.

Know where to park, find shuttles, and general transportation info

Parking is available at the Los Angeles Convention Center, LA LIVE, and at nearby privately operated lots. Parking at private lots will cost an estimated $10-30 per day, depending on how close the lot is located to the convention center. To help you plan your trip to Anime Expo, here is a parking availability tool. Please be aware that parking rates vary and are subject to change. 

There is also a shuttle schedule available if you are staying at any of the partner hotels. There are many alternative forms of transportation with frequent stops near the Los Angeles Convention Center. You can pull up information on the AX Website here.  Remember that the 4th of July holiday means that public transportation hours may be different than usual. 

Expect long lines at Anime Expo 2022

With over 100,000 attendees, be prepared to endure some pretty long lines. The lines start from the moment you try to get in to park your car, when you try to get into the convention center, and will continue inside with waits for food, vendors, exhibits, panels, and more. Be patient, be kind to staff and to your fellow con-goers, and try to make the most of the long lines. Make sure you know what events and stuff to do is most important to you so that you can plan ahead. Always plan to be early to whatever event you’re trying to make.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

Arguably the most important thing to making sure you enjoy your time at AX is the footwear. Whether you are in cosplay or in streetwear, wearing something comfortable is essential. Buy some comfy shoe inserts if you need them. Just make sure your feet are cared for!

Be Sure to Mask Up

SPJA will be requiring all attendees of AX 2022 to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to attending the event. Regardless of vaccination status, masks will be required indoors (except in designated cafeteria/eating areas) and optional outdoors.  You can check out all the details on the Anime expo 2022 Health & Safety page.

Wear sunscreen

Although most events take place indoors, there are situations and events that may have you lining up outside under the hot California sun. Bring sunscreen or a hat. According to the AX website, most lines are located outside of the building, and while they are tented, it’s possible you may spend some time in the sun while walking around.

Back-Up Battery & Charger

There is so much happening at AX that before you know it your phone is drained from all the photos and videos you have taken. Take a wall charger or backup battery in case you run out of charge at the con.

Be Sure to Hydrate & Snack

Nothing will ruin the vibe at con faster than being hangry (Hungry +Angry). And dehydration is also a huge buzz kill. It is hot in July in the city of Los Angeles. Although the convention center is well ventilated, any place where 100,00 people converge will feel a bit warm. Hydrate, and bring a refillable water bottle for quick refills. Pack snacks in your backpack or purse. Having a few quick snacks while waiting in long food lines can go a long way to keeping you recharged.

Carry Cash, Cards, and Budget Accordingly

Going to conventions is expensive, no matter which way you look at it. Be sure to budget the cost of transportation to the con, budget for parking, food, shopping, and all the other incidentals. The majority of vendors only accept credit cards, but there are some vendors (especially street vendors) who only accept cash. So it’s nice to carry both.

Anime Expo provides a Google Spreadsheet with information on how to budget accordingly. You can check out their budget spreadsheet here or download it directly from their website here. Parking rates in downtown LA can vary daily. Expect to spend anywhere between $20-50 depending on the lot or hotel you park at. No, parking is not included in most hotel stays. And remember that Anime Expo is happening over the 4th of July weekend. So prices will most likely be inflated.

Some events at Anime Expo are an additional ticketed price. That means that your badge for Anime Expo won’t get you into specific events. In addition to a badge for Anime Expo, you may need to purchase a ticket for specific events like Masquerade, Concerts, Maid Café, Butler Café, AMV Competition (Tickets are free and only available on-site), and After Hours events. To check out which events require a ticket check the AX website here. 

Food Options at Anime Expo 2022

There are plenty of food vendors at AX but they aren’t all affordable. Make sure you budget and plan ahead for meals. Buying onsite will probably cost you a minimum $15-$30 a meal, per person. If you are staying at a hotel nearby, keep in mind that hotel fridges are small, so plan grocery store-bought snacks and meals appropriately.

There will be food trucks posted around the convention center, street vendors, cafeterias, and eateries within the convention center. There are also plenty of places to eat near L.A. Live. Check out the L.A. Live Eat website for restaurant choices and to look at menus in advance.

Decompress in one of the AX Lounges

Check out all the different Lounges at AX. There is a Beer Garden where you can relax under beautiful paper lantern décor while sipping on a variety of Japanese-themed cocktails and eating delicious food options. There is a Manga Lounge where you can take a break from the hustle and bustle by sitting down with one of over 4000 available volumes of manga.  Lounge 21 is one of my personal favorites. This lounge space comes complete with drinks and nightly performances. Lounge 21 is a great place to relax and cool off. You must be over the age of 21 to enter.

There is a Karaoke area that hosts contests, showcases, open mic sessions, and an extensive library of anime and game soundtracks, J-pop, and more, there’s something for everyone in the Karaoke room!  AX Dance is a space where Local DJs and headliners from Japan all come together to play every major popular genre from J-pop to House music. Plus, take part in dance workshops and competitions.

The Quiet Room is where cosplayers and attendees can rest their feet away from cameras and other people. It’s a great place to just relax and get away from the stresses a convention can present.

Take advantage of the Bag Check 

AX provides a service called Bag Check where if you need a place to store your backpacks, props, luggage, and loot from the Exhibit Hall, you can do so for a fee. Rates start at $5 for 4 Hours, $20 for the day, or $50 for the full convention.  This is a great option for people who are doing a lot of shopping and don’t want to lug things around. 

AX Official Hotel Block

Anime Expo partners with hotels in the Downtown Los Angeles area and offers a special rate for AX attendees and access to the complimentary shuttle service from the hotel to the Los Angeles Convention Center. Keep in mind that it is a holiday weekend and hotels book fast! Hotel booking started back in February, so if you’re able to get a room at a reasonable cost consider yourself lucky! You can check out all the hotel accommodations here as well as shuttle information here. 

Cosplay and Cosplay Meet-Ups

There is a ton of cosplay that happens at AX. The World Cosplay Summit USA Finals, which take place during the Masquerade, will determine the US representatives for the Cosplay Championship at World Cosplay Summit in Nagoya. The masquerade is a cosplay and performance competition, with one of the largest cash prizes in the country. Cosplay Senpai are local and global cosplayers that promote the fun, unity, and acceptance of the Cosplay community.

There is a Cosplay Repair Center available for attendees who need help keeping their cosplays together. There is a whole section of the exhibit hall dedicated to cosplay Photo Sets. Find the perfect backdrop that matches your cosplay among the 10+ sets that you can choose from.

You can also find tons of attendee-run cosplay meet up! These make great opportunities to connect with other fans and take pictures of cosplayers from the same fandom. Check out the meet-up schedule here.

Let us know in the comments if we missed anything! Give us your best tips and best practices for being well prepared for Anime Expo.

About Author

Monica Duarte

Born and raised under the California sun. Monica is the Editor-In-Chief at Temple of Geek. She also serves as Executive Producer of The Temple of Geek Podcast, Retro Rebel Podcast, and Portrait of a Fangirl. Lover of all things geeks but especially sci-fi like Doctor Who, The Expanse, Star Wars and Star Trek.

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