Anime Nyc is back! For the first time since 2019 Anime Nyc is back with new regulations and mandates to ensure the most protection possible. It is a three day event that takes place at convention centers in New York city. It is the best event in Nyc for anime lovers to attend as it involves exclusive screenings of new anime, extensive panels, exhibits full of unique anime inspired merchandise, and appearances from creators in Japan. This year’s event was a special one not only because of it being its first appearance in two years but it also being a bridge for anime lovers across America to meet new people and create great connections. It is the best event for people to break out of their comfort zone and express themselves in a way they cannot always do. Cosplay, which is one of the main attractions of the event, gives people the freedom to be the characters they admire, and meet with people who love the same characters as you. At Anime Nyc it is a judge free zone where all types of people dress up and have fun. Not only can people make new friends, but they can learn about the anime and manga creation process with the amazing panels led by authors based in Japan and in America. The panels this year spanned from anime inspired cooking lessons, to idol concerts from anime. Furthermore, the event was full of Japanese food and other cultural items. People were able to eat native Japanese food while talking to the new friends they met. It created an atmosphere that could only be experienced while being there.The most popular one was the official ¨One Piece¨ 1000th episode premiere which led to lines forming from one half of the building to another; because of the number of people who wanted to attend they had to hold multiple screenings. This had led to Anime Nyc receiving a tremendous amount of negative feedback from people who waited in the line only to not get in.

       Anime Nyc 2021 was an experience that cannot be forgotten. Despite, there only being a 10,000 person increase which can be accounted for. The management on the first day Friday, November 19, 2021, was uncontrollable; there were lines that went across multiple street blocks just to get in. There were issues who had received their entry pass early but were misinformed by the staff of where they should enter and had been advised to return to the back of another line. But that didn’t stop the attendants who were eager to have fun. The line served as a good way for attendants of the event to get familiar with each other and talk about their interests.  As of now the NY government advises all 53,000 participants of the event to receive a covid-19 test because a staff member tested positive with the omicron variant. In spite of all the mishaps that had occurred over the three days, Anime Nyc 2021 was a great experience and one everyone needs to experience once in their life.

Image borrowed from:  https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2021/anime-nyc/cosplay-gallery/.179896