Here’s Anime Expo 2022’s best costumes in GIF form

Anime Expo 2022 drew tens of thousands of attendees to the Los Angeles Convention Center this weekend and, as has happened many times before, its popularity even attracted the attention of fire marshals working to keep the crowd safe.

“For the safety of all attendees, the LAFD requested the hosts to open a portion of the convention center to alleviate the crowds who congregated in the street,” LAFD Capt. Erik Scott said in a statement, according to KTLA.

Attendees were, of course, undeterred and jubilant to get back to a place where their passion for the world of anime could be shared in-person after a 2-year hiatus. In-booth dance parties (looking at you, Pony Canyon), video game trailers and demos (“One Piece Odyssey” seemed to be everywhere, including a huge Monkey D. Luffy statue at the South Hall entrance), TV show reveals (new original video animations from “My Hero Academia”!) and activities celebrating Japanese pop culture all went on inside the convention center as excited patrons bought clothing, toys, jewelry, movies, manga, original art, posters and knick-knacks from the hundreds of booths and artist displays.

@garrzpika, aka #thepikachuguy, during day two of the Anime Expo 2022 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)

Music is also a big part of the Expo, with numerous concerts and DJs in ticketed and non-ticketed events. The Novo hosted many of the satellite events, like the inaugural Anime Expo Homecoming: City Pop concert featuring DJ sets from the 70s/80s-inspired Tune in Tokyo collective and a performance by L.A.-based artist Mari Iijima. With glow sticks galore, it was one of many musical events, which included the EDM-centric Neon District and a special “One Piece Film Red presents Steve Aoki Live” performance from the world-renowned DJ himself.

For some, though, the convention center crowds were concerning. Video showing people gathered before entering the expo and in packed halls (following Comic-Con’s lead?) from the Anime News Network made the rounds on social media, and though the organization reinstated vaccine requirements, complaints lingered about the expo’s overcrowding and potentially racist booking, along with calls for greater accountability.

However, nothing seemed to quell the excitement on the ground, especially the legions of cosplayers and those who admire them. Often smart, relatable costumes seemed just as fulfilling as the elaborate constructions, huge foam weapons and engineering feats that roamed the halls. Posing for photos or video was a must, and we’ve assembled a few of our favorites.

Logan Bulnes (@loganspacecowboy) cosplaying as Tengen Uzui from “Demon Slayer.”

(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)

Varsana (@varsenex) cosplaying as Velma from “Scooby-Doo.”

(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)

Nicole Perkins (@nickynicole44) cosplaying as Akame from “Akame Ga Kill.”

(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)

Jennie Zuniga (@krispycake53_) as Husk, left, Vee Villain (@misssvillain) as Vaggie, Chloe Ashbach (@chloe_ashbach) as Charlie and Danielle Bradford (@countess_samhain) as Angel Dust from “Hazbin Hotel.”

(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)

Ernesto (@ernest_falsegreatness) as Yuji Itadori from “Jujutsu Kaisen.”

(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)

Aya (@aya.party) as Maki Zen’in, left, Kumi (@sidewayscat) as Nobara Kugisaki, Ernesto (@ernest_falsegreatness) as Yuji Itadori, Will (@f_used) as Toge Inumaki, Jonathon (@isaiahjonathon) as Yuta Okkotsu and Donavan as Baseball Choso from “Jujutsu Kaisen.”

(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)

Daniel (@foldingchair130) as a Shinra security officer from “Final Fantasy VII.”

(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)

Alex Uceda (@alexvbeautie) cosplaying as Muffet from “Undertale.”

(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)

@kittyxreaper cosplaying as Xiao from “Genshin Impact.”

(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)

At Anime Expo 2022, Bella Drawson (@whatthepeck_) models an original costume she made.

(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)

Jessie (@hywy227) as Kagamine Rin, left, and Stella (@im.Stella.cn) as Hatsune Miku from “Vocaloid.”

(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)

Rashad Jamison (@otakuhooper) as Kento Nanami from “Jujutsu Kaisen.”

(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)

Whitney Nguyen (@whit_san) cosplaying as Neferpitou from “Hunter x Hunter.”

(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)

Burlap (@burlapped) cosplaying as “Monstrosity Stitch.”

(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)

@all_the_way_cosplay cosplaying as Arataki Itto from “Genshin impact.”

(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)

Roberto Vergara (@kurztkoffin) cosplaying as “This is just something I bought today.”

(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)

Sam Galloro as Hotaru Haganezuka from “Demon Slayer.”

(Calvin B. Alagot / Los Angeles Times)