New York Comic Con 2026 — RadioAnime
RadioAnime at New York Comic Con 2026
Four days of anime, comics, gaming, collectibles, cosplay, celebrities, creators, exclusive products and unforgettable fan moments.
New York Comic Con 2026 was definitely a big one for RadioAnime.
This year, we were fortunate enough to cover all four days of the convention, as well as the professional and industry programming before the public show began. That gave us the chance to experience NYCC from several different perspectives — from seeing the show floor come together before opening day to walking through packed aisles with thousands of fans, attending panels, meeting creators, photographing booths and collecting stories along the way.
And what a show it was.
NYCC celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2026, and the Javits Center was packed with everything that makes the convention special: anime, manga, comics, video games, toys, collectibles, cosplay, Artist Alley, celebrities, panels, exclusives and plenty of surprises. The official convention highlighted more than 400 exhibitors alongside Artist Alley, Cosplay Central, panels, guests and exclusive merchandise. New York Comic Con
For us, it was four days of constantly asking ourselves:
"What are we going to check out next?"
And there was always something.
From Industry Day to the Final Day
Our NYCC coverage actually started before the general public entered the convention.
During Industry and Professional Day, we were able to get onto the show floor while many booths were still being prepared. We watched displays come together, saw companies putting the finishing touches on their activations and got a behind-the-scenes look at NYCC before the crowds arrived.
Professional programming included events such as Retailer Day, industry talks, networking opportunities, portfolio reviews and other programming for professionals working across comics, publishing, entertainment and retail. New York Comic Con
Then the doors opened.
And from there, the pace never really slowed down.
We covered Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, allowing us to see not only the major announcements and busiest days, but also how the convention changed throughout the weekend.
There were moments when we were running from one booth to another, trying to make it to a panel, an interview or a scheduled opportunity — and then we'd turn a corner and discover something completely unexpected.
That's one of the best things about NYCC.
You can make a schedule, but the show will always find a way to surprise you.
Dragon Ball Takes Over the Show Floor
One of the major anime presences was Dragon Ball, which had a huge booth that immediately caught our attention.
A massive Goku statue stood prominently at the booth, with a dramatic Beerus backdrop that made for a great photo opportunity.
The booth also featured model kits, Dragon Ball collectibles and an area where fans could sit down and play the card game.
And there was an especially fun giveaway in the mornings.
Fans could receive Dragon Ball bags containing a Beerus promo card, making the booth even more popular with collectors and fans who wanted to take home something from the show.
Dragon Ball really felt like one of those booths you couldn't simply walk past.
There was always something happening.
Bandai Namco Brought a Little Bit of Everything
Bandai Namco had an enormous presence at NYCC, and it was almost impossible to take everything in during one visit.
TAMASHII NATIONS featured an impressive collection of figures and collectibles, including several limited-edition pieces. Among the exclusives we spotted were Burning Godzilla, Super Saiyan 4 Goku and Luffy, along with many other figures.
And then there was Godzilla.
A gigantic Godzilla statue towered over the area, while a Godzilla character appearance gave fans the chance to meet Godzilla and take photos.
It was one of those moments that perfectly captured what makes convention booths fun: you could walk in looking at collectibles and walk out having taken a picture with Godzilla.
Gaming at Bandai
Bandai Namco also had a dedicated gaming area where fans could get hands-on with GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT.
Another highlight was ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF LIBERTY, where fans could sit in a dedicated simulator-style chair and get a much more immersive feeling while playing.
It wasn't quite the same as actually climbing into a fighter jet — thankfully — but it definitely made the game feel more like you were the pilot.
And then there was PAC-MAN: Snack Breaks.
Fans could relax in bean bags, play and take a break with popcorn. It was a completely different atmosphere from the intense gaming setups, and a fun way to experience another side of Bandai Namco.
NARUTO Was Everywhere
If there was one franchise that felt impossible to escape at NYCC this year, it was NARUTO.
And that's a good thing.
NARUTO had multiple major presences throughout the convention, including the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN booth and the new NARUTO CARD GAME experience.
At the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN area, fans could see collectibles and figures that were being showcased for preorder, along with a gigantic Naruto statue.
There was also a Rasengan experience, giving fans the opportunity to interact with one of Naruto's most iconic techniques.
Then there was the NARUTO CARD GAME booth.
Fans could actually try out the new game, and after participating, eligible attendees could receive a NARUTO promo card.
The booth also showcased the game's manga-inspired cards and other upcoming products, giving fans an early look at what is coming ahead of the game's worldwide launch.
And, of course, NARUTO's biggest moment of the weekend happened on the stage.
We attended NARUTO: What's Next?, where thousands of fans packed the room for major announcements including NARUTO x NINKŪ, PROJECT RASENGAN, the NARUTO CARD GAME and the surprise reveal of a new NARUTO manga by Masashi Kishimoto.
The crowd reaction was absolutely incredible.
[INSERT NARUTO CROWD REACTION VIDEO]
Yu-Gi-Oh! Brings the Duelists to NYCC
Konami's Yu-Gi-Oh! presence was another stop we had to make.
The booth featured exclusive products, opportunities for fans to play and appearances that brought some of the people behind the franchise closer to the fans.
There were also opportunities to meet members of the voice cast, making it a particularly fun stop for longtime Yu-Gi-Oh! fans.
And for collectors, of course, the exclusives were a major attraction.
VIZ Media Had Plenty for Anime and Manga Fans
VIZ Media also had a strong presence throughout the convention.
Their booth featured a large Ichigo backdrop that made for a great photo opportunity, along with a variety of merchandise and exclusives.
We also spotted NARUTO desk mats, manga, DVDs and other products, giving fans plenty of ways to take their favorite series home.
With NARUTO having such a huge presence at NYCC this year, it was fitting to see VIZ supporting the celebration with so much NARUTO-related merchandise.
WEBTOON Basically Took Over
If you walked through NYCC looking for WEBTOON, you definitely knew they were there.
One of the most entertaining activations was Fogland, where actors dressed as the characters and stayed in character while interacting with fans.
And one character in particular became a fan favorite very quickly:
The Tower, also known as Shoulder / Inmate O-791.
Let's just say...
He knew he was the star.
The character was absolutely feeling himself, and the fans loved every second of it.
There were plenty of giveaways around the WEBTOON presence, but honestly, the actors were stealing the show.
They were having fun with the characters, interacting with attendees and creating the kind of spontaneous convention moments that are difficult to recreate anywhere else.
Jim Lee, Torpedo Comics and a Very Cool Art Experiment
One of the coolest concepts we came across involved Jim Lee and Torpedo Comics.
For NYCC, the collaboration introduced one-of-a-kind, hand-customized 14" x 22" black-and-white art prints on premium cotton rag paper.
The idea was that every print could become something completely different through Jim Lee's customization.
Think:
Villain remarques
Personalized graffiti
Blood splatter
Batman in the rain
And whatever creative idea a fan could dream up
No two prints would be exactly alike.
And yes...
we got one.
That made the experience even more special for us because it wasn't simply buying another convention exclusive. It was getting a piece of artwork that could be personally transformed by one of the biggest names in comics.
And Then Shaquille O'Neal Walked Onto the Floor
Because apparently NYCC wasn't already crazy enough.
At one point, Shaquille O'Neal made an appearance on the show floor while visiting the DC area.
He stopped to take photos with fans and was photographed alongside Jim Lee and Scott Snyder.
It was one of those completely unexpected convention moments where you look around and think:
"Wait... is that Shaq?"
That's NYCC.
Tokyo Revengers Comes to Life
Pony Canyon also brought some great anime representation to the show.
Fans could see Tokyo Revengers uniforms on display and take photos in front of themed backdrops.
There was also special programming, including a Tokyo Revengers Episode 51 Screening & Talk with Mariya Ise, along with other programming such as Red Riding Hood.
For anime fans, it was another example of how NYCC goes beyond simply displaying merchandise.
You could see the costumes, take photos, attend screenings and experience the franchises in different ways.
Crunchyroll Brings Black Clover and Sentenced to Be a Hero
Crunchyroll was another major stop for us.
The booth featured a Teoritta statue from Sentenced to Be a Hero, giving fans a great photo opportunity, along with an impressive Asta from Black Clover, complete with his wings.
But one of our favorite moments happened in the autograph area.
The cast of Sentenced to Be a Hero was signing postcards, and we managed to get one signed for RadioAnime.
So yes...
Happy face.
Sometimes it's the little things you get to take home from a convention that become part of the memory.
ONE PIECE Brings the Adventure
ONE PIECE also had a major presence, with huge Luffy and Loki displays positioned in the center of the experience.
The area was impossible to miss.
You could even hear the chains around the massive display, adding another little detail that made the installation feel larger than life.
On another side, enormous posters featuring Luffy and the ONE PIECE world promoted ONE PIECE: New Dawn, New Adventures, with its February 2027 Netflix release.
It was another great example of how NYCC mixes upcoming entertainment with the franchises fans already love.
Final Fantasy VII and a Special Fan Giveaway
KAYOU was also at NYCC, bringing collectibles and fan experiences to the show.
Fans lucky enough to attend the Final Fantasy VII panel received a special poster signed by members of the voice cast.
Getting something like that after attending a panel is always a great convention memory, especially for fans of the game and its characters.
Nickelodeon Brings the Slime
Nickelodeon had a fun booth that combined several of its biggest properties.
SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and slime were all part of the experience, with interactive elements that made the booth feel more like an attraction than a traditional display.
And of course, Nickelodeon had its massive FUN-ERGY FACTORY, where we were also able to speak with Vincent Aricco about the experience and the franchises behind it.
Avatar: Seven Havens
Another major attraction was Avatar: Seven Havens.
Fans could step into the booth, take photos and experience the new series' world firsthand.
With the series receiving such a prominent presence at NYCC, it was another reminder of just how much upcoming animation and genre entertainment was represented throughout the show.
ANA Airlines Takes Off at NYCC
And then there were the experiences you simply don't expect to find at a comic convention.
ANA Airlines brought an actual airplane-themed activation to NYCC, complete with an interactive area where fans could step inside and explore.
It was definitely one of those unexpected stops that made us say, "Okay, we have to check this out."
NYCC has a funny way of making almost anything fit into the world of fandom.
Collectibles Were Everywhere
And we mean everywhere.
Figures, statues, model kits, trading cards, manga, DVDs, plushes, toys, exclusives and limited-edition collectibles filled the convention.
There were anime figures around every corner, Funko displays throughout the show floor and enough merchandise to make any collector seriously reconsider their luggage situation.
Artist Alley Was Packed With Talent
And then there was Artist Alley.
This is one area where you can spend hours without realizing how much time has passed.
We saw some incredible artists and creators throughout the convention, including names such as Peach Momoko, Scott Williams and many other talented artists and comic creators.
The official NYCC Artist Alley is designed as a place where fans can meet independent artists and award-winning creators, buy original art and discover new work. New York Comic Con
For us, it was another reminder that comics are still at the heart of NYCC.
Cosplay Was Everywhere
And, of course, we can't talk about NYCC without talking about cosplay.
There were incredible costumes throughout the Javits Center, from anime and manga characters to comics, games and movies.
We even came across someone in a fantastic Spawn costume who appeared to be associated with the Blizzard area, although we weren't able to confirm his official affiliation.
Either way, the costume looked great.
And that's really what made the cosplay experience so much fun this year.
You never knew what — or who — you were going to see walking down the next aisle.
Anime Everywhere
If you're an anime fan, NYCC 2026 was a very good place to be.
NARUTO, Dragon Ball, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Tokyo Revengers, Black Clover, ONE PIECE, Avatar and countless other anime and manga properties were represented throughout the show.
There were booths to explore, games to play, statues to photograph, collectibles to buy, panels to attend, actors and creators to meet and plenty of surprises along the way.
You really just had to be there.
The Best Part Was Simply Being There
That's probably the biggest thing we took away from NYCC 2026.
There was so much happening that it was impossible to see everything.
We could spend an entire morning photographing one booth, only to discover something completely different on the other side of the Javits Center.
We could go from an anime announcement to a comic signing, from a gaming simulator to a collectible display, from interviewing a voice actor to watching thousands of fans explode with excitement over a new trailer.
And that's what makes New York Comic Con special.
It's not just one thing.
It's everything happening at the same time.
For four days — plus our Industry Day experience — RadioAnime got to be right in the middle of it.
We took photos.
We filmed.
We interviewed.
We played games.
We met creators.
We collected a few things.
We watched fans react to major announcements.
And, most importantly, we had a lot of fun doing it.
NYCC 2026 was definitely one for the books.
And we can't wait to see what New York Comic Con brings next.