Anime Arizona 2025, held from March 21-23 at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa, wasn’t just another convention—it was a full-on explosion of anime-fueled madness that left Glendale, Arizona, buzzing with excitement. After a mysterious hiatus in 2024, this third-year event roared back with a vengeance, packing the weekend with jaw-dropping cosplay, electrifying voice actor moments, and a vendor hall that could’ve doubled as a treasure trove for otaku pirates. If you missed it, buckle up—this recap will take you through the wildest highlights of a convention that proved Arizona’s anime fandom is a force to be reckoned with.
The Cosplay Takeover: A Parade of Epic Proportions
Picture this: the hotel lobby transforms into a living, breathing anime universe. From the moment you stepped inside, you were dodging sword-wielding Inuyashas, posing with gravity-defying wigs from My Hero Academia, and trying not to trip over the trailing tails of Spy x Family’s Anya cosplayers. The cosplay scene at Anime Arizona 2025 was nothing short of a spectacle, with attendees turning heads and stealing hearts.
Saturday’s Cosplay Contest was the crown jewel of the weekend. One standout? A meticulously crafted Demon Slayer Tanjiro, complete with a water-breathing effect made from LED lights and mist—yes, mist!—that had the crowd screaming like they’d just spotted a Hashira in the wild. Another contestant, decked out as Jujutsu Kaisen’s Gojo, strutted across the stage with blindfolded swagger, tossing fake cursed energy orbs into the audience. The energy was electric, with cheers echoing off the Renaissance’s high ceilings as fans celebrated the sheer creativity on display. Rumors swirled that a secret midnight cosplay meetup happened in the hotel courtyard, but only the most dedicated night owls caught that legendary clash of capes and katanas.
Voice Actor Madness: Sabat, Schemmel, and a Dragon Ball Showdown
If cosplay was the heart of Anime Arizona, the voice actors were the soul. The guest list was stacked with over 30 legends, but the Dragon Ball Z duo of Christopher Sabat (Vegeta) and Sean Schemmel (Goku) stole the show. Their panel on Saturday afternoon turned into an impromptu Saiyan smackdown, with Sabat booming Vegeta’s iconic “Kakarot!” in a voice that rattled the room, while Schemmel countered with Goku’s goofy laugh that had fans in stitches. The two traded barbs like old rivals, recounting behind-the-scenes tales—like the time Schemmel nearly lost his voice screaming “Kamehameha!” for a 10-minute take.
Elsewhere, E. Jason Liebrecht (Attack on Titan’s Eren) had the crowd in a frenzy when he unleashed Eren’s guttural roar live, proving that Titan rage translates perfectly off-screen. Attendees lined up for hours to snag autographs, with one fan reportedly bursting into tears when Sabat signed their Saiyan armor replica with “Stay proud, warrior.” These weren’t just Q&As—they were full-on performances that reminded everyone why these voices are the backbone of anime.
The Vendor Hall: A Shopper’s Paradise Meets Chaos Central
The Exhibit Hall was a labyrinth of temptation, sprawling across a space three times bigger than Anime Arizona’s previous digs in Mesa. Over 100 vendors lined the aisles, hawking everything from rare One Piece figurines to plushies so adorable they should’ve come with a warning label. Samurai Comics had a booth that looked like a mini Tokyo, stacked with manga towers that toppled at least twice under eager hands. Meanwhile, the Artist Alley buzzed with 100 creators from Arizona and beyond, their tables overflowing with prints of Chainsaw Man’s Pochita and Gundam mechs that gleamed like they’d just rolled off the assembly line.
The chaos peaked on Saturday when a limited-edition Naruto ramen bowl sold out in under 10 minutes, sparking a friendly (but loud) debate among fans over who snagged the last one. One vendor even ran a “spin the wheel” game where winners scored mystery anime swag—rumor has it someone walked away with a life-sized Totoro plush that barely fit through the hotel doors. It was a glorious mess of commerce and camaraderie, with wallets emptying faster than you could say “shonen jump.”
Panels and Shenanigans: Where Fans Took the Spotlight
The panel rooms were a playground for fan-driven insanity. One highlight was the “Anime Jeopardy” showdown, where contestants battled over trivia like “What’s Luffy’s favorite food?” (Meat, obviously) and stumbled hilariously over pronouncing Evangelion’s mouthful of a title. The room erupted when a tiebreaker ended with a contestant doing an impromptu JoJo pose-off—spoiler: the Dio impression won by a hair.
Then there was the “Worst Dub Lines” panel, a riotous roast of anime’s most cringe-worthy translations. Fans howled as clips played of gems like “I’m going to take a potato chip… and eat it!” from Death Note, delivered with all the melodrama of a soap opera. The panelists—local fans turned temporary comedians—kept the energy high, tossing candy to the crowd for every groan-worthy suggestion shouted from the seats. It was chaotic, unscripted, and pure gold.
The Aftermath: A Convention That Left Its Mark
By Sunday afternoon, the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale was a whirlwind of tired smiles, overstuffed shopping bags, and last-minute photo ops. The hotel staff, bless their hearts, looked shell-shocked as they swept up glitter from a rogue Sailor Moon cosplayer’s transformation sequence gone awry. Rumors floated of an unofficial after-party at the nearby Westgate Entertainment District, where fans swapped stories over bubble tea and debated whether Bleach deserves a comeback.
Anime Arizona 2025 wasn’t just an event—it was a fever dream of fandom that turned a quiet March weekend into a celebration of everything anime. From the cosplayers who brought characters to life with insane detail, to the voice actors who bridged the gap between screen and stage, to the fans who turned every corner into a party, this convention delivered hooks aplenty. Arizona’s anime scene proved it’s got the passion, the talent, and the sheer audacity to keep growing. If this is what year three looks like, the future’s looking brighter than a Super Saiyan glow-up. Who’s ready for 2026?