AnimeJapan 2025 | Day One Report
There’s no bigger hallowed ground for Japanese geekdom than Tokyo Big Sight. Perhaps it’s fitting that AnimeJapan has set up shop in the same realm as the massive and iconic Comiket. This year, the Boston Bastard Brigade was given the opportunity to roam what may now be Japan’s biggest anime convention. As soon as I entered Big Sight, I realized just how much of a behemoth this expo was.
Everyone who’s involved with anime had a place at AnimeJapan’s table. Toho Animation, NHK, Netflix, and even animation colleges who were churning out the next big directors were here to showcase what’s next in the anime realm. Even Manga Productions, an animation studio based out of Saudi Arabia, was here to prove why the Middle East has a big love and appreciation for all that Japan has created. But their booths weren’t there just for show; they were also there for fun!
A plethora of games were on display for con-goers to give a whirl. For example, Netflix had a button game based off of Sakamoto Days. A variation of whack-a-mole, you had to hit the enemy button when it was lit up. Get 20 points in 30 seconds, and you’ll earn a victory. At the very last couple of seconds, I managed to gain the win with 23 points, and was rewarded with special Sakamoto Days Band-Aids.
In the same area was a Fire Force game, in which you had to grab five falling batons out of ten. Not knowing which were to fall first, I kept my eye on each of the sticks, awaiting them to drop. With quick movements, I managed to nab six of the batons and earn both the win and the special Fire Force license. That’s when I felt a warm sensation from my left index finger. I had sliced my finger open on one of the batons, and blood was coming out. (I guess those Sakamoto Days Band-Aids came in handy sooner rather than later.)
I had no idea what was in store at the Grand Blue Dreaming booth. All I knew was I had to sign my name and strap a pillow around my waist. That’s when I realized that the game I was about to play was a Grade-A Grand Blue Dreaming prank, as I caught the hammer before I could say goodbye to my precious marbles. Despite the trickery, I appreciated the joke the booth was pulling on me and others.
A stamp rally at the NHK booth felt like a nice change of pace. Surrounded by Domo-kun and his pals, I went to five different stamp booths to recreate one of Hokusai’s classic wave paintings. The booth was generous, as they offered me a little water bottle for doing a survey, as well as two very nice bags that will come in handy on my future shopping days. (Bags seemed to be the most popular thing booths were giving out, as I amassed ten of them before the day’s end!)
Aniplex’s booth had an impressive showing, with a focus on both new and returning series. Newcomers Mono and Food for the Soul had small displays that showcased their worlds, while returning shows Black Butler and My Dress-Up Darling had impressive displays that included a photo op area and a Hinamatsuri setup. Of course, the Demon Slayer movie trilogy finale had the biggest display, as a replica of the Infinity Castle led people through an area that included a giant Tanjiro statue and an immersive trailer for the upcoming films.
The time for panels began, as I first sat through Netflix’s showcase. On top of the BEASTARS finale and WIT Studio's latest series Moonrise, they also showcased a new stop-motion anime starring Sanrio characters My Melody and Kuromi. My Melody graced the stage, looking like she was just coming back from Puroland, with the women in the audience cooing and awing at her presence. Sadly, BEASTARS hero Legoshi didn’t receive the same reaction, which made the wolf boy a little sad.
Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt was next, with voice actors Arisa Ogasawara (Panty), Mariya Ise (Stocking), and Hiroyuki Yoshino (Brief) hosting the event. They were joined by Hiromi Wakabayashi, who will co-direct and co-write the new season. After talking with excitement over returning to these characters 15 years later, the audience was introduced to two new male angel characters: Polyester and Polyurethane, whose voice actors Junya Enoki and Yuto Uematsu made an appearance onstage. Finally, the news we’ve been waiting for was dropped: Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt will be returning in Summer 2025!
Next on the agenda was the Oshi no Ko Special Stage Event. Featuring voice actors Takeo Otsuka (Aqua), Yurie Igoma (Ruby), Megumi Han (Kana), Manaka Iwami (Akane), and Rumi Okubo (MEM-cho), the presentation focused on what’s to come in the anime’s future. First, a new teaser pic was showcased featuring Aqua, holding an umbrella and with a brooding look. It sets the tone for the third season, as Ai’s killer is still on the loose. Next came a short clip featuring a live performance from B-Komachi, something the respective voice actresses were surprised and happy to see.
©赤坂アカ×横槍メンゴ／集英社・【推しの子】製作委員会
That’s when the character of Ai appeared onstage, holding a special YouTube award. The main Oshi no Ko YouTube page had amassed more than 100,000 subscribers, which excited the voice cast. After some photo ops and a dance move guessing game, a little more info was announced regarding the upcoming tie-in mobile puzzle game. With the event concluding, the voice cast showed their gratitude to the audience, giving thanks for everyone that came, with hopes that all will tune in to see how Oshi no Ko will wrap up.
Saturday’s final panel focused on the anticipated second season of I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level. Returning voice actresses Kaede Hondo (Laika), Minami Tanaka (Shalsha), and Riho Sugiyama (Rosalie) joined the panel, alongside new cast member Yui Ogura (Sandra). Most of the panel had them talking about both the anime and their characters, as they shared in excitement regarding the return of the series. The real fun came when they had to play a sticky-ball dart game to reach 300 points, with both Tanaka and Ogura showing that they’re better at voicing characters than playing darts.
Overall, the first day of AnimeJapan 2025 was both fun and informative. All the attendees seemed to have a big love for everything that was on display, and the panels carried that enthusiasm all throughout the event. Who knows what Sunday may entail, but with even half of AnimeJapan all wrapped up, one could already call this year’s convention a massive success!
Special thanks to Natsumi Shibata of Kadokawa for the Oshi no Ko access. Check out the anime's official website and Twitter page!
