Industry Registration

Anime Expo welcomes creators and trade professionals across anime and Japanese pop culture industries and is happy to provide an industry badge for approved individuals.

Interested individuals must apply online to be considered for an Industry Badge. Upon approval, each applicant will have two (2) weeks to complete their registration and purchase their Industry Badge for $100 (plus any applicable fees). Only one (1) Industry badge is allowed per approved applicant. 

 

We encourage anyone interested in registering as an Industry Professional to apply early with as much information as possible to ensure a smooth review process and improve the likelihood of approval, as availability is limited. All submitted applications will be reviewed individually in the order they are received, and all decisions are final and at SPJA’s sole discretion. Applications and inquiries submitted after the published deadline will not be considered. 

Apply Now

Application Opens: January 20, 2026

Registration Opens: January 20, 2026

Application Deadline: June 4, 2026

Registration Deadline: June 19, 2026

 

Please be aware that on-site registration is NOT available.

 

Interested in meeting your fans at Anime Expo? Find out more information on how to make an appearance at AX.

Industry Badge

The Industry Badge is for individuals who are part of the creative process of Japanese pop culture, content, or related industries including production design, writing, and editing, as well as Japanese pop culture business professionals such as marketing, sales, business development, producers, and executives.

  • Provides all the same access as a 4-day attendee badge.
  • Includes access to the Industry Lounge and Priority entrances throughout the event.

Eligibility Requirements:

Individuals involved in business development associated with Japanese anime and/or pop culture.

  • Job titles might include agents, publicists, buyers, executives, marketing, sales, business development, producers, or legal representatives.
  • Support staff such as administrative staff, facilities, IT, operations, QA, and/or HR are NOT eligible for Industry Badge.
  • Producers are expected to provide a minimum of 3 examples of credited and published work that is associated with Japanese anime and/or pop culture within the last 3 years
  • Indie/mobile game companies must have published and widely accessible content to be eligible.

Individuals involved in Anime and/or other pop culture convention management.

  • Job titles might include chairperson, director, or manager.
  • Convention must be managed by a registered parent company or nonprofit to be eligible. Conventions run by a sole individual or a school club are not eligible.
  • Applicants are expected but not required to apply with an official convention/organization email address.

Individuals involved in creative development associated with Japanese anime and/or pop culture.

  • Job titles might include voice actor, animator, or editor.
  • Applicants are expected to provide a minimum of 3 examples of credited and published work that is associated with Japanese anime and/or pop culture within the last 3 years.
  • Creative credits/works listed on personal portfolios, LinkedIn, or other self-published platforms will not be accepted as examples.

Individuals involved in creation of non-editorial content related to, inspired by, or promoting Japanese anime and/or pop culture.

  • Job titles might include YouTubers, performers, content creators, or influencers.
  • Creative content must be unique/original. Meme accounts or repost accounts are not eligible.
  • For consideration, Applicants must meet one or more of the minimum follower/subscriber counts, subject to SPJA’s discretion:
    • Instagram: 500K
    • TikTok: 500K
    • X (Twitter): 500K
    • YouTube: 500K
    • Twitch: 500K

Registration Policies

Registration and Transfer Policy

Note: Registration for an Industry credential should only be done by the person who submitted the application form and received the approval email. If the approved applicant can no longer attend, then they must notify SPJA of the cancellation. 

If SPJA discovers the credential was purchased by someone other than the approved applicant and was NOT “assigned” to the approved applicant during checkout by the Buyer, then the Buyer will have one (1) week to transfer the credential to the approved applicant via their ShowClix MyTickets account or by email request to ShowClix Customer Care.  Instructions on how to transfer a credential can be found on the Anime Expo Help Center. 

Failure to transfer the Industry credential to the approved applicant may result in the cancellation of your order. If SPJA discovers that the credential is purchased for someone other than the approved applicant, SPJA has the right to cancel your order and any monies paid would be non-refundable. 

 

Refund Policy

All sales are final for all credentials purchased and, therefore, non-refundable.

 

Badge Mailing Policy

Anime Expo will ship all paid Industry credentials purchased from January 20, 2026, through 11:59 PM PT on June 8, 2026, within the United States (excluding minor outlying islands and territories). Shipping for Canadian orders is available for credentials purchased from January 20, 2026 through 11:59 PM PT on June 4, 2026. International applicants must select “Will Call – International Only” unless they choose to ship their credential to a U.S. or Canadian address. 

Credential mailing will start in early June 2026.  Credentials will not be re-shipped under any circumstances.  Shipping fees are non-refundable in the event that a credential is lost upon delivery or undeliverable. The last day to change your shipping address is April 17, 2026. 

 

Badge Pickup

Attendees who purchased credentials after the Credential Mailing Deadline of June 8, 2026 (June 4, 2026, for Canadian orders) and all International attendees must pick up their credential(s) at the Registration Booth beginning July 1, 2026 (refer to the AX website for location and hours of operation).  Each registrant must pick up their own credential.  Upon arrival, you are required to present your order confirmation and a valid government-issued photo ID that matches the registrant’s name.  Acceptable forms of ID include a driver’s license, state ID, work ID, passport, or military ID. 

 

The full Registration Policy can be found on the Anime Expo® Legal page.

For Registration-related questions, email:  registration@anime-expo.org

For Industry-related questions, email:  industry@anime-expo.org 

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