Anime NYC returned to the Javits Center on Thursday with a relatively relaxed opening day before Netflix closed out the evening with a Main Stage showcase of its upcoming anime slate.
I arrived in the afternoon, and one of the first things that stood out was just how manageable Thursday felt.
Thursday felt almost like Anime NYC with the training wheels still on — not because there wasn’t much happening, but because everyone had a little more room to settle in before the weekend really took off.
For anyone coming primarily to shop, meet a particular artist or spend time looking through the convention floor, Thursday may actually be one of the best days to do it.
A Chance to Actually Explore Anime NYC
Without the shoulder-to-shoulder traffic that would come later, I had time to walk through Artist Alley, browse vendors and see more of what was spread across the Javits Center.
The floor covered almost every corner of anime fandom.
Crowds gathered beneath the large Yen Press and Ize Press display to browse manga, manhwa and novels. Artist Alley was filled with independent creators selling prints, apparel, keychains and original artwork. Collectors leaned over trading-card cases, while other booths were packed from floor to ceiling with plush toys, figures and character merchandise.
The vendors and artists I interacted with throughout the afternoon were friendly, and Thursday gave people the chance to actually stop, talk and look at things without immediately being swept along by a crowd.
That’s something worth remembering if you’re planning Anime NYC around a particular artist or exclusive item: do it early.
By Saturday, the atmosphere would be very different.
Cosplay Doesn’t Wait for Saturday
The lighter Thursday crowd didn’t mean people were waiting until the weekend to cosplay.
Far from it.
Cosplayers were already scattered throughout the Javits Center, turning its glass atrium, staircases, hallways and quieter corners into unofficial photo locations.
Characters from One Piece, Demon Slayer, My Hero Academia, Street Fighter, Chainsaw Man, Final Fantasy VII, Pokémon and plenty of others appeared throughout the building. Some cosplayers leaned heavily into character performance; others were simply enjoying the chance to wear something they had spent weeks or months putting together.
There were also familiar faces — people I’ve photographed or met at other conventions — and part of the fun of Anime NYC is running into those people again. For all its size, the convention can still feel like a community.
Thursday was only the beginning, but cosplay was already one of the strongest parts of the day.
Netflix Takes Over the Main Stage
Thursday’s biggest scheduled event for me came at 6:45 p.m., when I headed to the Main Stage for “Netflix Presents: Cyberpunk, SAKAMOTO DAYS, LEGO ONE PIECE and More!”
Hosted by Juju Green, better known online as Straw Hat Goofy, the presentation moved through Netflix’s upcoming anime slate with trailers, exclusive footage, announcements, guests and giveaways.
Brian Tyree Henry came onto the stage for Bass X Machina, discussing the upcoming project as Netflix introduced the series with footage and a look at its characters.
The presentation also included a new SAKAMOTO DAYS Season 2 character trailer and a January 2027 return window, along with new material from Blue Eye Samurai. Netflix announced a January 2027 window for its second season and revealed that a third season is planned to conclude the series in 2028.
One Piece received plenty of attention as well.
Jacob Romero, who plays Usopp in Netflix’s live-action One Piece, joined Green onstage for the LEGO ONE PIECE portion of the presentation. The segment included a September 29 date for the special and One Piece minifigure mystery packs for members of the audience.
Netflix also revealed new key art and a February 2027 window for WIT Studio’s The One Piece.
Then there was Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2.
Netflix showed a new trailer, announced an October 20 release date and screened exclusive early footage from the standalone follow-up — exactly the kind of material that makes seeing one of these presentations inside a convention different from simply watching the announcements appear online afterward.
The audience was part of the show throughout the evening as well. People held up giveaways and Den of Geek handouts, reacted to the footage and competed for prizes between announcements.
It was fun, loud and unapologetically aimed at a room full of anime fans.
And it was a fitting way to end Anime NYC’s first day.
Thursday Was the Warm-Up
Walking out of the Netflix presentation, Anime NYC no longer felt like it was getting ready to start.
It had started.
Thursday had been the opportunity to explore: walk Artist Alley without fighting through the biggest crowds, browse the vendors, catch up with familiar faces, photograph some great cosplay and get a sense of the convention before the weekend rush.
There was an anticipation throughout the day because everyone knew what was coming.
Friday would get busier.
Saturday would be another level entirely.
But Thursday had its own appeal. It was the day to get your feet wet, figure out the convention and enjoy Anime NYC before the Javits Center filled with the weekend crowds.
For me, three days of Anime NYC 2026 had just begun.
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This article includes a preview from Anime NYC 2026. A Fixed Moment photographed more scenes from the event, including additional crowd moments, portraits, performances, details and atmosphere.
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