Phoenix, Arizona, is otaku central in 2025, and three anime conventions—Taiyou Con, Saboten Con, and UwU Con—dominate the scene. But hold up: Anime Arizona’s crashing the party as UwU’s toughest Phoenix foe, and down in Tucson, Anime Wonder’s a small but feisty wildcard. We’re diving into dates, vibes, guests, and who’s got the guts to lead the future—all 100% accurate, a bit spicy, and ready to rile up the fandom. UwU Con’s our pick for the throne, with Anime Arizona hot on its heels. Let’s stir the pot and crown a champ!
The Players: Dates, Locations, and Basics
Here’s the 2025 rundown, straight from the source as of February 26, 2025:
- Taiyou Con: January 24–26, 2025, Mesa Convention Center (263 N Center St, Mesa, AZ 85201). Three days, 300+ hours of programming. It’s been around 15 years, a Phoenix-area staple—controversy and all.
- Saboten Con: August 29–September 1, 2025 (Labor Day weekend, per sabotencon.com), Sheraton Phoenix Downtown (340 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004). Four days, self-proclaimed “biggest in Arizona,” with 50,000+ turnstile attendees historically.
- UwU Con: October 31–November 2, 2025 (via eventeny.com), Arizona Grand Resort & Spa (8000 Arizona Grand Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85044). Three days of anime, gaming, and wild twists, climbing fast since 2022.
- Anime Arizona: February 7–9, 2025 (animenarizona.com), Mesa Convention Center (263 N Center St, Mesa, AZ 85201). Three days, 350+ hours, gunning for the top tier.
These four slug it out in Phoenix (Mesa’s close enough—deal with it), with distinct vibes. Tucson’s Anime Wonder gets a shout later. Let’s compare!
Scale and Scope: Who’s Packing Heat?
Saboten Con’s the heavyweight champ on size. In 2024, it flexed 800+ hours across two hotels (Sheraton and Renaissance Phoenix Downtown), and 2025’s set to sprawl even more—maid cafes, SaboSlam esports, a vendor hall that’s a labyrinth. Past counts hit 23,000+ unique attendees; it’s chaos incarnate.
Taiyou Con clocks in at 300+ hours over three days—panels, cosplay contests, some food trucks. It’s smaller, maybe 5,000–10,000 attendees, with badges at $65 at the door. It exists, it’s been around—let’s leave it at that.
UwU Con’s the rising star. From 12,000+ attendees since its 2022 launch, it packs three days with curated flair—voice actors, gaming, and a zipline that screams “we’re different.” It’s not Saboten’s scale, but it’s got swagger.
Anime Arizona’s flexing hard. Projected 10,000+ attendees in 2025 (up from 8,000+), it’s got 350+ hours—panels, concerts, cosplay smackdowns. It’s sleek and ambitious, eyeballing UwU’s crown.
Edge: Saboten’s the size king, but UwU and Anime Arizona tie for bold momentum. Taiyou’s just… there.
Guests: Star Power or Snooze Fest?
Guests can make or break it—here’s the scoop:
- Taiyou Con: January 24–26 locks in J Michael Tatum (Black Butler), Brandon McInnis (Demon Slayer), Jessie James Grelle (Attack on Titan), and cosplay duo BananaCakeCosplay for the masquerade. It’s a lineup—take it or leave it.
- Saboten Con: 2024 had 40+ like Maile Flanagan (Naruto), Tiffany Grant (Evangelion), and 2025’s TBA list will likely stack up—voice actors, J-pop (Babybeard vibes). It’s a flood of names.
- UwU Con: 2024 rocked Zach Aguilar (Demon Slayer), and 2025’s TBA roster will stay tight but punchy—voice actors plus car showcase hosts from Anifigure Club. Less is more here.
- Anime Arizona: 2024 brought Erica Lindbeck (Persona 5) and Max Mittelman (One Punch Man), with 2025 promising similar heat (TBA). It’s lean but lethal.
Edge: Saboten drowns you in guests, but UwU and Anime Arizona’s curated picks hit harder. Taiyou’s fine, whatever.
Vibes and Experience: Where’s the Juice?
Taiyou Con’s a three-day thing—cosplay, K-pop, Mesa crowds. It’s got panels and a Japanese fest angle, but the buzz is more “eh” than “epic,” especially with its rocky rep. It happens.
Saboten Con’s a whirlwind—top-tier cosplay, a killer masquerade, vendors that’ll bankrupt you. It’s intense, but packed schedules and long waits can grind you down. It’s the big dog, just creaking a bit.
UwU Con’s the renegade. Ziplines over cosplayers, Asian-fusion food trucks, Itasha car showcases—it’s a con on steroids. Fewer panels, sure, but the “you won’t believe this” factor is off the charts.
Anime Arizona’s got polish—crisp panels, live music, cosplay that slays. It’s Saboten’s professionalism with a modern kick, making it a serious contender.
Edge: UwU’s wild energy wins, Anime Arizona’s a slick second. Saboten’s loud, Taiyou’s lukewarm.
Future Vision: Who’s Got the Guts?
Taiyou Con’s been kicking since 2009, aiming for “awesome memories” (per taiyoucon.com). 2025 adds workshops, but it’s not shaking the table—controversy’s left it coasting.
Saboten Con’s ruled 15+ years, and 2025’s hotel sprawl shows muscle. But it’s more—of—the—same—bigger, not braver. It’s riding the anime boom, not steering it.
UwU Con’s the visionary. Since 2022, it’s rewritten the playbook—curated vendors, ziplines, car shows—mashing anime with pop culture flair. Founders like Chef Justin Park and Preston Statzer are cooking up a storm, with 2025 rumors of bigger acts and wilder twists. It’s the future.
Anime Arizona’s the sleeper threat. Rapid growth, a shiny new sheen, and a knack for blending classic con vibes with fresh spins—it’s UwU’s real Phoenix rival. Not as quirky, but its trajectory’s fierce.
Edge: UwU’s bold as hell, Anime Arizona’s right behind. Saboten’s steady, Taiyou’s static.
Honorable Mention: Anime Wonder in Tucson
Tucson’s Anime Wonder (September 27–28, 2025, Tucson Convention Center, 260 S Church Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701) deserves a tip of the hat. This two-day fest pulls 2,000–3,000 fans with cosplay, vendors, and a chill desert vibe. It’s small but scrappy—not Phoenix-level, but a fun Tucson treat.
The Verdict: UwU Con Rules, Anime Arizona’s Closing In
Time to poke the fandom bear: Saboten Con’s the bloated titan—big, brash, predictable. Taiyou Con’s here, it’s been here—draw your own conclusions. Anime Arizona’s the polished predator, stalking UwU’s throne. But UwU Con? It’s the king—wild, inventive, and built for what’s next. Anime Arizona’s the closest Phoenix challenger, but UwU’s vision laps the field.
Phoenix otaku, where you at? Team Saboten for legacy? Taiyou for… history? Anime Arizona for shine? Or UwU for the win? Hit Taiyou January 24–26, Anime Arizona February 7–9 (both Mesa Convention Center), Saboten August 29–September 1 at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, or UwU October 31–November 2 at Arizona Grand Resort & Spa. Bonus: catch Anime Wonder September 27–28 in Tucson. UwU’s the future—fight me in the comments!