As if the return of Animenia wasn’t exciting enough, the first meet and greet names have now been revealed, adding even more energy to the festival’s 2026 edition. Landing at Manarat Al Saadiyat for five days, Animenia Abu Dhabi brings together anime fans, cosplayers, collectors, and creators for a larger-than-life celebration of all things Japanese pop culture. Presented by BRAG, the leading boundary-pushing creative festival experts in the UAE, in partnership and collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the festival blends themed anime worlds, live entertainment, and fan-driven experiences all under one roof.
Created as a fully immersive festival experience, Animenia Abu Dhabi allows visitors to explore four atmospheric anime realms, take part in interactive games, attend screenings, and enjoy jaw-dropping performances. Adding to the fun, this year’s edition includes a dedicated Gaming Zone, artist-led workshops, quiz areas, karaoke stages, and a Konbini-style Japanese supermarket. As one of the festival’s biggest highlights, the Animenia Abu Dhabi Cosplay Competition returns, offering a whopping prize pool of AED 400,000 and placing cosplayers on stage in front of a world-renowned judging line-up.
Giving fans the opportunity to come face-to-face with some of the biggest names in anime, the meet and greet sessions kick off with an appearance by Noriko Hidaka on February 13th and 14th, whose four-decade career includes iconic roles such as Satsuki Kusakabe in My Neighbor Totoro, Kikyo in Inuyasha, Minami Asakura in Touch, and Near in Death Note. Fairouz Ai follows on February 14th, known for standout performances including Jolyne Cujoh in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean and Power in Chainsaw Man, allowing fans to connect with one of anime’s most beloved contemporary voices.
Yuki Kaji appears on February 14th and 15th, marking two decades in voice acting with a career defined by some of anime’s most iconic roles. His performances include Eren Yeager in Attack on Titan, Shoto Todoroki in My Hero Academia, Kenma Kozume in Haikyuu!!, and Meliodas in The Seven Deadly Sins.
In addition to legendary voices, Animenia Abu Dhabi 2026 is highlighted by four large-scale anime worlds inspired by BLEACH, SPY x FAMILY, DAN DA DAN, and GINTAMA. Each world features themed walkthroughs, interactive challenges, photo moments, and exclusive merchandise areas that transport guests straight to their favourite series. Fans step into familiar settings, navigate story-led spaces, and engage with experiences designed around iconic characters and scenes.
With further lineup additions and meet and greet announcements still to come, make sure to grab your tickets now at www.animeniaabudhabi.com
When: 11 to 15 February 2026
Where: Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi
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