Anime Expo 2022

North America's Largest Anime Convention
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If the anime community is a family, then Anime Expo is the family reunion. That's truly what this year's AX felt like. As the largest anime convention in North America, it was the gathering place for anime fans and cosplayers who have been apart for more than two years years.
Anime Expo is the Big Kahuna of anime conventions. Based on Los Angeles, the event drew 115,000 attendees in 2019 and likely would have had even more for 2020 had it not been cancelled due to the pandemic. While the attendance numbers for 2022 were noticeably lower, it was still a very well attended convention. AX is the event that everyone wants to attend because everyone else is attending. Tickets for this year's event were capped and sold out a week before the convention. This left some procrastinating fans without a ticket and no way inside, but it was nice to not be sandwiched in like sardines. The decision to limit attendance was likely driven by covid concerns. Although it was still busy and crowded in places, there was definitely room for more people.

The Cosplayers

As a content creator, Anime Expo is a real joy. If you take photos or video you'll find no lack of cosplayers at AX. People of all ages, abilities, and skill come out in cosplay and are willing subjects for anyone with a camera. There were so many cosplayers this year that you could shoot all day and not get the same person twice. The lobby of the vendor hall serves as a grand backdrop for the event. The light blue terrazzo floor and towering atrium are recognizable icons of the venue. The glass and steel structure allows light to flood the floor and it stands out in the skyline of downtown Los Angeles. It may not be the prettiest location, but it's certainly not the worst. Outside there’s a popular photo location called "horseshoes". Named so because of the horseshoe-shaped metal structures, you get a bit more variety compared to inside. A long strip of lush foliage is nestled against the parking garage so you can go from jungle plants to urban industrial in just a few steps. Turn around and you have the sleek and modern style of the Crypto.com arena to shoot against. The area is well-trafficked and cosplayers know to gather here, making it easy to find subjects.
@jennybellycos Sirius from Azur Lane
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@jennybellycos Sirius from Azur Lane

@anaelic_ Bloom from Winx Club
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@anaelic_ Bloom from Winx Club

@k8sarkissian Sandslash from Pokémon
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@k8sarkissian Sandslash from Pokémon

@amanda.toast Marin Black Lobelia from My Dress-up Darling
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@amanda.toast Marin Black Lobelia from My Dress-up Darling

@alexdrastal Sailor Freddy Mercury
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@alexdrastal Sailor Freddy Mercury

@blodvydawn Yumeko Jabami
 from Kakegurui
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@blodvydawn Yumeko Jabami from Kakegurui

Genshin Impact
@quuebd Xiao
@littlelilycos Lumine
@kainosaurus_ Gorou
@cellaira Kazuha
@ragegearprops Arataki Itto
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Genshin Impact @quuebd Xiao @littlelilycos Lumine @kainosaurus_ Gorou @cellaira Kazuha @ragegearprops Arataki Itto

@maruwins Gerudo Zelda
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@maruwins Gerudo Zelda

@2dmimi Love Bomber Super Sonico
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@2dmimi Love Bomber Super Sonico

@nikkimoxxi Hatsune Miku Summer Festival version
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@nikkimoxxi Hatsune Miku Summer Festival version

@suteroozu Donkey Kong
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@suteroozu Donkey Kong

@zephye_cosplay Belle photochromic patchwork dress
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@zephye_cosplay Belle photochromic patchwork dress

@k8sarkissian Professor Sada from Pokémon
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@k8sarkissian Professor Sada from Pokémon

@kitbitcosplay Veibae vtuber
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@kitbitcosplay Veibae vtuber

@blackprincesspeach Princess Peach
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@blackprincesspeach Princess Peach

@elizabethrage Nemesis from Tower of Fantasy
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@elizabethrage Nemesis from Tower of Fantasy

@indi_cosplay Nero from Fate
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@indi_cosplay Nero from Fate

@sarrahnadecosplay Radish Spirit from Spirited Away
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@sarrahnadecosplay Radish Spirit from Spirited Away

@elphiemonstercosplay Dark Magician Girl from Yu-Gi-Oh
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@elphiemonstercosplay Dark Magician Girl from Yu-Gi-Oh

Sailor Moon
@lizmelooo Sailor Moon (Usagi)
@princesswrencosplay Chibiusa
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Sailor Moon @lizmelooo Sailor Moon (Usagi) @princesswrencosplay Chibiusa

@bukkitbrown Tinker Bell
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@bukkitbrown Tinker Bell

@shinysherizard Reika from Gantz
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@shinysherizard Reika from Gantz

@ninjabobo Spider-man
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@ninjabobo Spider-man

@kitsunekuma Yoko Littner from Gurren Lagann
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@kitsunekuma Yoko Littner from Gurren Lagann

@peppered.up.cosplays Quetzalcoatl from Fate/Grand Order
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@peppered.up.cosplays Quetzalcoatl from Fate/Grand Order

@aj_outloud Kaneda from Akira
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@aj_outloud Kaneda from Akira

@ambear_alert_ D.Va bunny from Overwatch
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@ambear_alert_ D.Va bunny from Overwatch

@kantasea Kamina from Gurren Lagann
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@kantasea Kamina from Gurren Lagann

@jay2cosplayerz Jack from The Shining
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@jay2cosplayerz Jack from The Shining

@roguetomoe Battle Maids
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@roguetomoe Battle Maids

@suteroozu Judgement from Helltaker
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@suteroozu Judgement from Helltaker

League of Legends Arcane
@hailierosie Caitlyn
@bukkitbrown Vi
@kawaiiqueen Jinx
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League of Legends Arcane @hailierosie Caitlyn @bukkitbrown Vi @kawaiiqueen Jinx

@essaere 2B from NieR:Automata
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@essaere 2B from NieR:Automata

@feisty_vee Angewomon from Digimon
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@feisty_vee Angewomon from Digimon

@k8sarkissian Marin Black Lobelia from My Dress-up Darling
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@k8sarkissian Marin Black Lobelia from My Dress-up Darling

@meeversdesu Yor from Spy x Family
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@meeversdesu Yor from Spy x Family

@katkwo4 Yor from Spy x Family
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@katkwo4 Yor from Spy x Family

Monster Hunter
@doodlebeandip Shara Ishvalda
@krommallama Nargacuga
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Monster Hunter @doodlebeandip Shara Ishvalda @krommallama Nargacuga

@kooriii_ Yor from Spy x Family
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@kooriii_ Yor from Spy x Family

@sarrahnadecosplay Flik from A Bug's Life
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@sarrahnadecosplay Flik from A Bug's Life

@kawaiiqueen Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII
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@kawaiiqueen Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII

@toptyr_cosplay Kars from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
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@toptyr_cosplay Kars from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

Sonic the Hedgehog
@tessa_crownster Shadow
@yurikotiger Sonic
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Sonic the Hedgehog @tessa_crownster Shadow @yurikotiger Sonic

@mavispepper Spongebob
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@mavispepper Spongebob

@pixydi Raphtalia from Rising of the Shield Hero
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@pixydi Raphtalia from Rising of the Shield Hero

@spiralcats_tasha Tina and Helen from 1001 Spikes
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@spiralcats_tasha Tina and Helen from 1001 Spikes

@tiff_the_kid Marin succubus from My Dress-up Darling
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@tiff_the_kid Marin succubus from My Dress-up Darling

@scuba.steph Tina from Bob's Burgers
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@scuba.steph Tina from Bob's Burgers

Princess Mononoke
@kiitsunehiime Forest Spirit
@sarrahnadecosplay San
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Princess Mononoke @kiitsunehiime Forest Spirit @sarrahnadecosplay San

@krommallama Desco from Disgaea
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@krommallama Desco from Disgaea

@lucaplex Paine from Final Fantasy X-2
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@lucaplex Paine from Final Fantasy X-2

@zerggiee Atelier Hiro punk Hatsune Miku based on the figure
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@zerggiee Atelier Hiro punk Hatsune Miku based on the figure

@leonchiro Ban from Seven Deadly Sins
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@leonchiro Ban from Seven Deadly Sins

Hyperdimension Neptunia
@sparkle_stache Yellow Heart
@anna_lynn_cos_ Black Heart
@elphiemonstercosplay Purple Heart
@feisty_vee Iris Heart
@sugarvail_ Green Heart
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Hyperdimension Neptunia @sparkle_stache Yellow Heart @anna_lynn_cos_ Black Heart @elphiemonstercosplay Purple Heart @feisty_vee Iris Heart @sugarvail_ Green Heart

@helloomichelle Signora Crimson Witch of Flames from Genshin Impact
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@helloomichelle Signora Crimson Witch of Flames from Genshin Impact

@essaere Reze from Chainsaw Man
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@essaere Reze from Chainsaw Man

Re:Zero
@cretin.creature Ram
@jordanjcosplay Rem
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@lizmelooo Cammy from Street Fighter
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@lizmelooo Cammy from Street Fighter

@thegirlwithagreatsmile Freedom Strike Gundam
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@thegirlwithagreatsmile Freedom Strike Gundam

@strifehartvii Zenogre from Monster Hunter
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@strifehartvii Zenogre from Monster Hunter

Seven Deadly Sins
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Seven Deadly Sins

Spongebob Squarepants
@sourbunbun Squidward
@scifikantasy Patrick
@peachieteas Plankton
@mastiffwitha4 Spongebob
@essaere Squilliam
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Spongebob Squarepants @sourbunbun Squidward @scifikantasy Patrick @peachieteas Plankton @mastiffwitha4 Spongebob @essaere Squilliam

@tiff_the_kid Yoko Littner from Gurren Lagann
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@tiff_the_kid Yoko Littner from Gurren Lagann

@_linzzbinz_ Megumi from Gantz
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@_linzzbinz_ Megumi from Gantz

@elphiemonstercosplay Gatomon from Digimon
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@elphiemonstercosplay Gatomon from Digimon

@amanda.toast original character based Zero Two from Darling in the Franxx
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@amanda.toast original character based Zero Two from Darling in the Franxx

@maruwins mature dress Tifa from Final Fantasy VII
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@maruwins mature dress Tifa from Final Fantasy VII

@moon.child.cosplay Lucy Heartfilia from Fairy Tail
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@moon.child.cosplay Lucy Heartfilia from Fairy Tail

@_paulloween Mori Calliope	vtuber
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@_paulloween Mori Calliope vtuber

@anibae.irl Wedding Marin from My Dress-up Darling
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@anibae.irl Wedding Marin from My Dress-up Darling

@bukkitbrown Mothra
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@bukkitbrown Mothra

@shinysherizard Miles Morales
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@shinysherizard Miles Morales

Re:Zero
@owolittlespoonz
@kiyana.kxtten
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@feisty_vee Harpy Queen from Yu-Gi-Oh
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@feisty_vee Harpy Queen from Yu-Gi-Oh

@rinn_xc Okita Soji from Fate/Grand Order
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@rinn_xc Okita Soji from Fate/Grand Order

@daniella.claire.cosplay Belle
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Seven Deadly Sins
@captain.leftovers Merlin
@undead_bedhead Escanor
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Seven Deadly Sins @captain.leftovers Merlin @undead_bedhead Escanor

@izz_cos Diane from Seven Deadly Sins
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@izz_cos Diane from Seven Deadly Sins

@alleygside Ryo from Devilman Crybaby
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@alleygside Ryo from Devilman Crybaby

@maruwins Viera from Final Fantasy XIV
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@maruwins Viera from Final Fantasy XIV

Neon Genesis Evangelion
@tessa_crownster Rei
@kayz0rbeam Marima Kinami
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Neon Genesis Evangelion @tessa_crownster Rei @kayz0rbeam Marima Kinami

@cellaira Riddle Rose Hearts from Twisted Wonderland
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@cellaira Riddle Rose Hearts from Twisted Wonderland

@taiyolux.cos Le Malin from Azur Lane
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@taiyolux.cos Le Malin from Azur Lane

@amanda.toast Marin succubus from My Dress-up Darling
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@amanda.toast Marin succubus from My Dress-up Darling

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