Anime News

Anime Expo Gets Rid of Premier Fan Badges

General registration for Anime Expo 2023 gets started on January 24. But things will be a little different at this year’s anime con: Premier Fan badges are now a thing of the past.

Previously, a Premier Fan badge could get you a lot of extra things: four days at the convention, a special swag bag, space in the hotel booking bloc, the ability to reserve certain events before other people, money off on Anime Expo merch, priority treatment getting into the convention center, access to the exhibit hall before other people, and an open invitation to the fan lounge.

None of this came cheap. It would cost $549 for all these perks.

Anime Expo did not explain why it decided to do away with the Premier Fan badges.

The next anime Expo is scheduled to occur on July 1-4, 2023, located at the Los Angeles Convention Center. A four-day ticket for an adult is $145, a one-day weekend ticket is $80, a one-day Monday ticket is $70, and a one-day Tuesday ticket is $50. Children between the ages of six and thirteen need a guardian to pay $40 for them to attend.

Anime Expo gave this description of itself:

“Anime Expo (AX) started in 1991 as ‘Anime Con’ by the members of UC Berkeley’s anime club, Cal Animage Alpha. While AX has grown drastically over the years, the core goal has remained the same: to welcome attendees for a fun and memorable experience. Each year, Anime Expo brings together fans and industry from Japan, the US, and all over the world for the largest celebration of Japanese pop culture in North America. Anime Expo features the best in Japanese entertainment, music, fashion, and video games. Anime Expo is organized by SPJA, a 501c3 non-profit organization with a mission to inspire the world through Japanese animation and culture.”

Source: ANN, Anime Expo

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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.