Sakura-Con

Hotels are now open for booking!

Head on over to the Hotel Page to book your room now.

Now is the time to get your membership at the lowest price all year!

For more information or to get your membership, see our Registration page at https://sakuracon.org/registration/.

MASAKO SATO
Animation Director / Episode Director

TRIGUN STARGAZE Director.
An animation director and episode director with extensive experience in both television and theatrical productions, she has served in a wide range of roles from episode direction to series director. Her notable works include HAIKYU!! TO THE TOP. [Read More…]

NAOYA NAKAYAMA
Director / Animation Director / Storyboard Artist

A rising animator and visual director gaining strong recognition in the Japanese animation industry. Building on his animation background developed at Kyoto Animation, he brings a versatile skill set spanning key animation, storyboarding, and directing. He is known for expressive character acting and visually driven direction that blends music, rhythm, and dynamic camera work. [Read More…]

YOSHIHIRO WATANABE

Producer behind LEVIATHAN, associate producer on BEASTARS and TRIGUN STAMPEDE.
Born in 1982, Japan. Nabe is a producer at Orange, and currently working on TRIGUN STAMPEDE as its business producer. Nabe grew up in Los Angeles and after graduating from college, he joined the US branch of the animation studio Madhouse. Throughout early years in anime industry, under legendary Masao Maruyama’s mentorship, Nabe gained unique international production experience ranging from live-action to international collaboration projects [Read More…]

The Extremely Hard Take-Home Anime Quiz 2026 is now available at:

Cosplay Chess Applications will close this Saturday, 02/28/26 at 11:59PM Pacific. There’s still time to be a part of this annual event and help to grow our community of cosplayers! The only thing you need to qualify for Cosplay Chess is a cosplay and we welcome fandoms from all over!

For all ages, we have the first-ever Cosplay Chess Arena! Join our two mad scientists as they attempt to engineer the most powerful being in the multiverse! What could possibly go wrong? Okay, a lot could go wrong, but we’ll have fun finding out! Cosplay Chess: Arena 

For ages 18+, we have Cosplay Chess After Dark! Be a part of the battle of Mankind vs Monsters and help your team dominate the chess board! Hilarity and action meet in this tale as old as time and we encourage all newcomers and veterans alike to apply! Cosplay Chess: After Dark 

Haruki Ishiya is a Japanese voice actor affiliated with Osawa Office.

You can hear him in various works, including Hikaru Gero in “MARRIAGETOXIN”, Jiro Yamada in “Hypnosis Mic”, Shuichi Tsukamoto in “Sound! Euphonium”, and Kaoru Namikido in “Tougen Anki”.

Hylian Cream

Hylian Cream is a Sewing Educator & Cosplayer from Southern California. With over 14 years of cosplay under her belt, she has won numerous awards for her craftsmanship and on stage performances. She is a Janome educator, working with the company…

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Akivi.cos

Aki (akivi.cos) is a Seattle-based Masters-level cosplayer specializing in advanced prop fabrication, 3D modeling, and the integration of digital and traditional craft techniques. In December 2025, Aki was selected with their cosplay partner as an International…

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Weichiadi

Wei (@weichiadi) is a cosplayer, educator, and content creator recognized for her craftsmanship expertise and her engaging “vlogtorial” style, unique approach that allows her to share both the creative/technical process and the challenges that come alo…

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Eligibility: 

Cosplay Chess: Arena 

This event is open to all registered convention attendees. You must have a valid Sakura-Con badge for the day of the pre-meet and match in order to participate. 

Cosplay Chess: After Dark 

Participants in Cosplay Chess: After Dark must have a valid Sakura-Con Adult badge and obtain a Mature Audience Ribbon (Valid government issued ID Required to get ribbon) provided by the Convention. Minors are not allowed to participate in mature audience programming per Sakura-Con policies. 

Prepare for an evening where elegance blossoms and fandom flourishes! Sakura-Con proudly presents the Floral Court Invitational, an exclusive Nerd Prom event designed for those who dance to the beat of their own heart.

Step into a night of sophisticated celebration, where the vibrant spirit of anime and manga meets the timeless grace of a formal ball. Adorn your finest attire—whether it’s a stunning gown, a sharp suit, or the impeccably formal wear of your favorite character. This is your chance to shine, mingle with fellow enthusiasts, and create unforgettable memories under a canopy of cherry blossoms.

Applications for 2026 Cosplay Chess are open!

Rules and Application Links are HERE

A brand created by designer Karin Moriguchi to give “kawaii” a tangible form.

Featuring a Taisho-Roman-inspired Japanese Lolita style, these clothes allow you to become the protagonist of your own story.

Karin Moriguchi was born May 16, 1990. She explores new possibilities within her beloved Lolita fashion and expresses them through her designs. She has a deep love for manga, games, and anime.

Sakura-Con is thrilled to welcome Emi Nitta!
Emi Nitta debuted as a voice actor in 2010. Some of her main leading roles include Honoka Kosaka in Love Live!, playing Vivian in the Toho Musical version of Legally Blonde, and being the dub voice of Do-ran Kim in the K-Drama, My Only One.
In September of 2014, Emi made her musical artist debut, and in June of 2018 she performed her Emi Nitta Live Tour “EMUSIC 32 – meets you” in Osaka and Tokyo. More recently in March 25, 2020, she released her single “Sing Ring.” In 2021, she sang the theme music (Longing for!) for the anime Azur Lane: Slow Ahead! She is a versatile performer as both a voice actress and a singer!

Applications for 2026 Cosplay Contest are going live on Sunday, January 11th at 12:00PM
Pacific

Application Link: 2026 Sakura-Con Cosplay Contest Application
Applications will be open until January 18th at 11:59PM PST. Please read through the rules to
make sure you are ready to apply as soon as the contest opens. Link to rules.

SCANDAL formed in 2006 in Osaka, made major debut in 2008 with ‘DOLL’.
The girls won the Record Award for Best Newcomer in 2009 with ‘Shoujo S’.

They have a large domestic and international following and have performed concerts all over the world. They have also gained attention as fashion icons in recent years, producing their own apparel brand ‘FEEDBACK’. In 2019, they established their own private label, “her”.
They are one of Japan’s leading girl bands in both name and reality.

BLUE ENCOUNT is a 4-piece band hailing from Kumamoto, in southern Japan. They pride themselves on always giving it all they’ve got, delivering thrilling performances that draw in the audience and resonate with a spirit of unity, creating a beautiful kinship.
They made their major label debut with the EP “TIMELESS ROOKIE” in September 2014, and since then, they’ve released four full albums: “≒”, “THE END”, “VECTOR”, and “Q.E.D”. They also have several exciting anime theme songs to their credit.
In the spring of 2023, bassist Tsujimura began a one-and-a-half-year music study program in New York, honing his craft abroad. Marking their 20th anniversary in 2024-2025, the band kicked off an Asia tour and is currently touring with all four members. BLUE ENCOUNT is an ever-evolving band, and we can’t wait to see what adventures lie ahead for them!

Your time has come! 

Sakura-Con panel applications are now OPEN!  
From game shows to contests to cultural events to cosplay, we want to hear from you!

Apply today! https://sakuracon.org/programming/panels/