FanimeCon 2025 at a Glance
There’s no better way to kick off summer than a weekend at FanimeCon. It’s one of the largest anime fan conventions in North America and is described by everyone as an unforgettable experience. Once again, cosplayers, vendors, artists, and fans filled Downtown San Jose for a vibrant and thrilling weekend.
FanimeCon 2025 saw the community congregate in Downtown San Jose for a festive weekend. They were joined by special guests, industry professionals, and leaders of the local fandom community. After months of anticipation and preparation, here are highlights and standout moments from the FanimeCon 2025 weekend.
Day Zero and Swap Meet
For the most devoted attendees, Day Zero marks the true beginning of FanimeCon. It’s when many pick up their badges, check into hotels, and reconnect with friends. Some take the opportunity to explore the area and get comfortable with the surroundings. Others spend the time putting the final touches on their cosplay before the weekend kicks off.
Many also flock to the Swap Meet, hoping to discover something unique at a fair price. Before the vendor hall and Artist Alley open, attendees head here to start their shopping early. It’s the perfect chance to uncover hidden gems from independent sellers eager to clear out their collections. You might stumble upon a complete manga set, a rare DVD box set, or a classic video game. Others offer sought-after items like gaming keyboards, cosplay props, or limited-edition collectibles.
Those who missed the Swap Meet on Day 0 could also check it out on Day 1.
Dealers Hall & Artist Ally
FanimeCon 2025 featured over 100 merchants inside the SJCC Hall, alongside more than 70 artists in the Grand Ballroom. From figurines and retro video games to collectible merchandise, attendees explored a true treasure trove of fandom goods. The Artist Alley, in particular, has been hailed as the crown jewel for its impressive scale and standout quality, earning comparisons to the renowned Artist Alley at Anime Expo.
Even if one had no shopping agenda, it’s still fun to look through all the cool stuff and meet the many artists.
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) was back with new merchandise along with information about public transportation. They also partnered with CalTrain to educate the public about the new electrified trains and their services on the Peninsula. Guests could line up to buy the new merchandise while also getting some BART passes and learning more about their local public transit.
Gamers Heaven is a community-focused shop designed as a gathering place for gamers to connect and socialize. After establishing several successful locations on the East Coast, they now have a presence in the Bay Area. During Fanime, guests could purchase some unique merchandise or learn about the store.
Senpai Squad combines one’s love of anime, cars, and nightlife into one experience. Besides hosting several events, organizing the Car Show, they also had a booth in the dealer’s hall. Here they were selling a variety of merchandise from shirts to decals and more. At the same time, the staff was mingling with the community.
With a location in Santa Clara and Sunnyvale, Central Computers is a reliable go-to for all your PC needs. They were on-site at FanimeCon to support PC gamers and spread the word about their services. Throughout the weekend, they showcased products in stock and highlighted services like building custom mini desktops.
Akiba HQ is a local retailer specializing in anime collectibles, figurines, trading cards, and more, was present throughout the weekend. They offered a wide selection of merchandise while also promoting awareness of their physical locations. If you missed them at the event, be sure to visit their stores in Hayward or Davis.
Game Hall
The Game Hall had a variety of options from tabletop games to PC, console, and arcade games. Friends could gather to play arcade games, tabletop games, or have their own LAN party. There was also a section dedicated to learning and playing Intro to Mahjong. This was also the place to be for the eSport tournaments.
The Arcade once again featured a mix of new titles and familiar favorites, ready to play. Fans of racing games could hop into the Toyota AE86 for a game of Initial D The Arcade. Those who wish to hit the dance floor could team up for a game of Dance Dance Revolution. There were also a few rail shooters like Gunblade NY and Razing Storm.
The Indie Game Showcase was also hosted in the Game Hall. It featured several titles for attendees to try firsthand. Gamers had the chance to sit down with developers, play their games, and learn more about each project.
Panels of FanimeCon
Fanime is not just about meeting new friends or exploring the dealers hall or artist ally, it’s also a chance to gain some insight or have a good laugh. The event organized a series of panels that discussed a variety of topics from major stars and industry insiders. Some panels were also events in their own right.
These are some of the panels I got to check during the weekend:
(Not) Cthulhu for President! was a unique spin on a staple of Fanime. This time it was all about how not the Dark Lord Cthulhu should be elected President of the United States. The panel ended with a Q&A that was more about the audience being ridiculed for asking a question.
The Foundation for the Eradication of Gen 5 Pokemon has been a staple of FanimeCon for some time and 2025 was no exception. This year, they presented the classics like Fifth Gen Isn’t Pokeman along with Walugi Time. InfoWario also made its debut during the weekend, while ending it all with a live presentation of Anime Survivor.
Lost in Game Translation is a look at the importance of professional localization in game development. This was an inside look at the challenges of translating and localizing a game into different languages. It also presents a look at what happens when done improperly or not made a priority.
ParkCon 2025
When the sun sets, Fanime attendees gather at Plaza de César Chávez for the popular ParkCon. Beginning Friday night, guests start arriving around 8 p.m. to enjoy the vibrant late-night festivities. There’s plenty to do throughout the night and countless opportunities to meet new and interesting people. Multiple DJ booths keep the energy high as guests dance beneath the open sky. Food vendors serve tasty devil dogs alongside refreshing cold drinks that help guests beat the heat. Some attendees even bring portable karaoke machines, letting congoers belt out tunes into the early morning.
Things to Do at FanimeCon
The weekend was not just about panels, parties, and shopping. From arcade games to a manga collection and more, there was no shortage of activities during the weekend. Here are some of the activities one could stumble upon during FanimeCon 2025:
For the first time since 2019, the Screening Rooms made their long-awaited return. Hosted at the Signia by Hilton, several rooms were set up for guests to enjoy a variety of programming. Offerings included classic anime, anime-themed content, and a wide selection of AMVs.
FanimeCon organized many Cosplay Gatherings during the weekend based on the most popular franchises. Those wanting to participate could meet at one of three spots for a photo shoot while networking with other fans.
Fanimaid Cafe is the official maid cafe of the convention and was hosted at the Hyatt Place San Jose. Guests got to enjoy some tasty treats while playing fun games or watching a live performance by the staff.
Located in the South Hall, the Car Show was open to FanimeCon guests from Saturday through Monday. Organized by Dreamscape with support from Senpai Squad, the event featured an impressive lineup of Itasha cars. Motorists had the opportunity to proudly display their custom designs inspired by anime and video games.
The Manga Room was the perfect spot for anyone seeking a bit of peace and quiet. Guests could grab a manga and unwind at their own pace. Even when the room got crowded, its calm and relaxed atmosphere never truly faded.
The Final Day
The final day of FanimeCon is always the hardest, as it means saying goodbye to friends. After a festive weekend, it’s time to part ways and return to our everyday lives. Many guests squeeze in some last-minute shopping or showcase one final cosplay before heading out. Vendors remain open, hoping to sell the last of their weekend haul before packing up.
No matter how it ends, the memories made and stories shared only add to FanimeCon’s magic. It’s a weekend that stays with you—a tradition that continues to feel special, year after year.
Did you get a chance to check out FanimeCon 2025? If so then share your story in the comment section below.
Disclaimer: FanimeCon provided me with a pass for the weekend.
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8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides an insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.
