Anime NYC 2026 Guests Announced: Mackenyu, Tetsuo Kurata, and Eiko Kadono Are Coming to New York!
The heart of the anime world will beat in New York in the summer of 2026. Anime NYC, the East Coast's largest anime convention, has announced its first major guests for the massive event taking place at the Javits Convention Center from August 20-23, 2026. This year's lineup includes Mackenyu, who became a global phenomenon with his role as Roronoa Zoro in Netflix's One Piece live-action series, tokusatsu legend Tetsuo Kurata, and the queen of children's literature Eiko Kadono.
Mackenyu has become the indispensable face of anime adaptations in recent years. Meeting fans following the release of One Piece season 2 in March 2026, the actor is known not only as Zoro but also for his roles as Enishi in Rurouni Kenshin: The Final and Seiya in Knights of the Zodiac. As the son of legendary martial artist Sonny Chiba, Mackenyu is a candidate to be the most sought-after name at the event due to his success in both Japan and Hollywood.
For nostalgia enthusiasts, the participation of Tetsuo Kurata is a huge surprise. Bringing the character Kotaro Minami to life in the 1987 Kamen Rider Black and its sequel Black RX, Kurata is considered one of the most iconic figures in the tokusatsu genre. Holding the title of the only Rider actor to star for two full seasons, Kurata will meet his fans in New York for autograph sessions and panels.
The most significant name from the literary world is undoubtedly Eiko Kadono. The author of the book Kiki’s Delivery Service, the unforgettable work of Studio Ghibli, Kadono won the Hans Christian Andersen Award, considered the Nobel Prize of children's literature, in 2018. The master author, now in her 90s, is expected to hold a special talk about the global impact of her works and her creative process. As this is one of the author's rare international appearances, it offers an unmissable opportunity for collectors and literature lovers.
Breaking records by reaching 148,000 attendees in 2025, Anime NYC expects over 150,000 visitors for its 2026 edition. The event will be filled with special screenings, panel discussions, and industry announcements over four days. Stay tuned for official announcements in the coming months regarding ticket sales and additional guest lists.
