Gage Skidmore/CC BY-SA 2.0/Flickr
Audio By Carbonatix
Anime fandom in Arizona is at an all-time high. For proof, look no further than the sheer number of conventions and fandom events that have spawned since the pandemic (spoiler: it’s a lot.)
One of the newer local conventions to emerge during the Japanese-born art form’s recent surge in popularity is Anime Arizona, a weekend-long event featuring three days of voice actor appearances, vendors, cosplay and more.
Originally launched in 2022 at the Mesa Convention Center, the con took an unexpected hiatus last year due to unspecified reasons. It’s set to return this weekend at a new location with a sizeable lineup of vendors and guests.
Anime Arizona 2025 takes place from Friday to Sunday at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel. Multiple voice actors from “Dragon Ball Z” will appear, including Christopher Sabat, Patrick Seitz and Sean Schemmel. Here’s everything to know about the event.
A sign outside of Anime Arizona in 2023.
Gage Skidmore/CC BY-SA 2.0/Flickr
What day is Anime Arizona?
Anime Arizona is from Friday, March 21, to Sunday, March 23
Anime Arizona hours
Here are the official hours of Anime Arizona 2025. VIP ticketholders can enter one hour prior:
- Friday, March 21: 2 to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, March 22: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sunday, March 23: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where is the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel?
The hotel is at 9495 W. Entertainment Blvd. in Glendale. It’s located next to Westgate Entertainment District near Maryland and 95th avenues.
How much is Anime Arizona?
Anime Arizona tickets are available at animearizona.com.
Single-day general admission is $29.99 for Friday, $44.99 for Saturday $34.99 for Sunday. A three-day full event badge is $64.99 per person. VIP passes for Anime Arizona are sold out.
“Dragon Ball Z” voice actor Christopher Sabat at Anime Arizona in 2023.
Gage Skidmore/CC BY-SA 2.0/Flickr
Anime Arizona 2025 guests
More than 30 voice actors from popular anime series and films are set to appear at this year’s event. Here’s the full guest lineup:
- Zach Aguilar
- Alex Brightman
- Griffin Burns
- Ray Chase
- Luci Christian
- Justin Cook
- Robbie Daymond
- Chris Edgerly
- Kellen Goff
- Richard Horvitz
- Aleks Le
- Cherami Leigh
- E. Jason Liebrecht
- Erica Lindbeck
- Elizabeth Maxwell
- Daman Mills
- Max Mittelman
- Xander Mobus
- Trina Nishimura
- Vivian Nixon-Williams
- Bryce Papenbrook
- Kyle Phillips
- Bryce Pinkham
- Brandon Rogers
- Christopher Sabat
- Sean Schemmel
- Patrick Seitz
- Stephanie Sheh
- Ian Sinclair
- Sonny Strait
- Eric Vale
- Cristina Vee
- Dave Wittenberg
A glimpse at the vendor hall at Anime Arizona in 2023.
Gage Skidmore/CC BY-SA 2.0/Flickr
Vendors
Anime Arizona will showcase a selection of more than 100 vendors. The lineup will include retailers like Samurai Comics, creators, anime-focused vendors and more. An artist alley will feature 100 different artists from Arizona and elsewhere.
Anime Arizona security
Attendees will pass through metal detectors and undergo prop and bag checks by security at the entrance.
Anime Arizona bag policy
Oversized bags and backpacks are not allowed. All other bags will be subject to search by event security.
What isn’t allowed at Anime Arizona?
- Drugs or illegal substances
- Hoverboards, skateboards, drones, carts, wagons
- Laser pointers
- Fireworks, sparklers or other incendiary devices or flammable liquids
- Helium or Mylar balloons
- Confetti or glitter
