Anime Expo Chibi returned to Ontario, California this November—and its fourth year was its biggest celebration yet. The three-day event welcomed over 41,000 turnstile attendees, transforming the Ontario Convention Center and surrounding venues into a packed weekend of concerts, cosplay, pop culture, and family-friendly fun.
This year’s lineup delivered no shortage of standout moments. Japanese rock legends SPYAIR set the tone with an explosive outdoor show at the Chibi Plaza Stage, followed by a fan-packed panel and autograph session. But the biggest surprise came courtesy of Chiitan, the chaotic and hyper-energetic Japanese fairy otter whose rare U.S. appearance instantly became one of the weekend’s most viral highlights.
Fans found something to love at every corner of the expanded 600,000+ square-foot event space. The schedule included idol showcases, hands-on workshops, cosplay walkways, sumo exhibition matches, industry Q&A sessions, and two late-night raves. Guests like Gundam mechanical designer Mika Akitaka and SungWon Cho (ProZD) and Alan Lee from KPop Demon Hunters added even more star power.
This year marked the debut of two new Akihabara-inspired concept cafés—the Husbando Café and Starfall Café—both earning rave reviews for their immersive character performances and themed treats. Foodies also dove into the Japanese Food Festival, which featured dishes from 19 local restaurants ranging from classic street snacks to comfort favorites.
One of the most talked-about attractions was the Godzilla Experience, a cinematic walkthrough filled with atmospheric effects, props, vehicles, exclusive drinks, and merchandise fit for kaiju fans.
Anime Expo Chibi also expanded to a second venue for the first time, adding the Delta Hotels Ontario Airport to support 540+ hours of programming. Families enjoyed kid-friendly events like the Chibi Cosplay Runway, Parent Zone, and free face painting. At the same time, night owls took over the after-hours festivities with karaoke, gaming, live music, and midnight screenings.
The marketplace was the biggest in axc history, showcasing 260+ exhibitors and 250 artists, plus a dedicated 18+ zone for collectors seeking rare merch and imports.
With its warm community vibes and fast-growing footprint, Anime Expo Chibi continues to prove that “chibi” might mean “small,” but the impact is anything but. After a record-breaking 2025, excitement is already building for what SPJA has planned for axc 2026.
Source: Anime Expo
