The convention typically offers anime music video (AMV) screenings, cosplay chess, a dance, dealer's room, karaoke, panels, masquerade, video gaming, and video rooms.[2][5][6][7]
History
The first convention in 2002 was put on with limited staffing and was planned in eight months.[6] In 2008 parts of the convention were held in the parking garage below the Meadowlands Exposition Center.[8] The convention then moved to the Garden State Exhibit Center, although it experienced crowding issues in 2012 with outdoor space used for lines.[9] AnimeNEXT moved to the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey for 2016, with the deal lasting until 2020.[2][10] The convention moved due to outgrowing the Garden State Exhibit Center.[2] In 2016, the United States finals of the World Cosplay Summit were held at AnimeNEXT.[2][11] Major communication and scheduling issues with panels occurred before and during the 2017 convention.[12] Accusations of past staff member harassment were published in 2019, with former con chair Eric Torgersen being suspended in April.[13][14]
AnimeNEXT 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[15][16] The convention was changed to an online only event for 2021, due to the Atlantic City Convention Center being used as a large scale COVID-19 vaccination center.[17][18][19] AnimeNEXT 2022 was cancelled due to problems with the Atlantic City Convention Center. Issues included significant price increases for the venue, lack of COVID-19 policies, and no communication about another event in the area during the same weekend, the Orange Loop Rock Festival.[20][21]
AnimeNEXT would move to the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison, NJ in 2023. The organizers would shift the COVID-19 policy from "masks required" to "masks encouraged" just two weeks prior to the 2023 event.[22] In February 2024, AnimeNEXT management made a post across their social media accounts stating that "Universal Animation, Inc., the parent company of AnimeNEXT, recently faced circumstances that brought planning for our 2024 convention to a screeching halt." The post went on to confirm that the convention would not be held that year, stating that "As a result, we will not be holding AnimeNEXT 2024."[23] In January 2025, AnimeNEXT management annouced that the convention was on "indefinite hiatus", stating that "Universal Animation, Inc., the parent company of AnimeNEXT, is going through organizational restructuring and addressing many legacy issues."[24]
Alissyn Brock, Kelli Shayne Butler, C.B. Cebulski, Cosmicity, Richard Ian Cox, Edwin De La Cruz, Lauren Goodnight, Trish Ledoux, Rob Malda, Kenneth Robert Marlo, Matt K. Miller, Mari Morimoto, Merideth Mulroney, Lisa Ortiz, Stephen Pakula, Peelander-Z, Mike Pollock, Bill Rogers, Michael Sinterniklaas, The Spunks, Moneca Stori, Veronica Taylor, Marc Thompson, Matt Thorn, Tom Wayland, David L. Williams, Barry Winston, and Toshifumi Yoshida.[27]
June 17–19, 2005
Meadowlands Exposition Center Holiday Inn Meadowlands Secaucus, New Jersey
Meadowlands Exposition Center Holiday Inn Meadowlands Secaucus, New Jersey
7,100
12012, Eric Calderon, Daisuke Gomi, Wayne Grayson, Toyo Ikeda, Jonathan Klein, Michele Knotz, Mari Morimoto, Kensuke Okabayashi, Frank Pannone, Chris Patton, Ed Paul, Mike Pollock, Monica Rial, Bill Rogers, Michael Sinterniklaas, Gustavo Sorola, Tom Wayland, and Kathleen Zuelch.[30]
June 20–22, 2008
Meadowlands Exposition Center Holiday Inn Meadowlands Secaucus, New Jersey
Shihan Carbonaro, Fake?, Wayne Grayson, Kyle Hebert, Michele Knotz, Dave Lister, Chris "Kilika" Malone, Misako Rocks!, Mike Pollock, Stacie Renna, Bill Rogers, Michael "Mookie" Terracciano, Bill Timoney, Tom Wayland, and Toshifumi Yoshida.[32]
June 18–20, 2010
Garden State Exhibit Center Somerset, New Jersey
Greg Ayres, Martin Billany, Eirik Blackwolf, Gashicon, Kyle Hebert, Kenji Kamiyama, Anthony Kresky, Dave Lister, Chris "Kilika" Malone, Kevin McKeever, Tony Oliver, Stacie Renna, Sleeping Samurai, Stereopony, and Uncle Yo [33]
June 10–12, 2011
Garden State Exhibit Center Somerset, New Jersey
Robert Axelrod, Greg Ayres, Chipocrite, Leah Clark, Joe Foering, Onezumi Hartstein, Kanon, Yu Kimura, Michele Knotz, Dave Lister, Scott A. Melzer, Vic Mignogna, Mix Speaker's,Inc., Satoru Nakamura, Trina Nishimura, Promise Sisters, Matt Pyson, Bill Rogers, Takamasa Sakurai, Sixh, Uzuhi, Mike Wall, Tom Wayland, Steve Yun, and Tommy Yune.[34]
June 8–10, 2012
Garden State Exhibit Center Somerset, New Jersey
9,850
Berryz Kobo, Kevin Bolk, C.R.A.Z.Y.O.T.A.K.U., Chipocrite, Leah Clark, Kara Edwards, Bill Ellis, Toshihiro Fukuoka, Kyle Hebert, Michele Knotz, Dave Lister, Kevin McKeever, Dani O'Brien, Satsuki, and Z8 (Z-Ann).[35]
June 7–9, 2013
Garden State Exhibit Center Somerset, New Jersey
10,283
The Asterplace, Greg Ayres, C.R.A.Z.Y.O.T.A.K.U., Chris Cason, Chipocrite, Greg Houser, Akinori Isobe, Masumi Kano, Michele Knotz, Kevin McKeever, Mint, Moon Stream, Mike Pollock, Bill Rogers, Hiroshi Shimizu, Saki Tachibana, Mike Toole, Uncle Yo, Hiro Usuda, Sayo Yamamoto, Steve Yun, and Tommy Yune.[36]
Kira Buckland, C.R.A.Z.Y.O.T.A.K.U., Chipocrite, Elisa, Flow, Todd Haberkorn, Naoto Hirooka, Takafumi Hori, Greg Houser, Michele Knotz, Shigeto Koyama, Matthew Lassiter, Brittany Lauda, Neil Nadelman, Tyson Rinehart, Jason Robinson, Bill Rogers, Sushio, Aya Suzuki, Marc Swint, Mike Toole, Uncle Yo, Vedetta Marie, Hiromi Wakabayashi, and Lex Winter.[38]
