Second Artist Lineup Announced for Animelo Summer Live 2026 "Messenger": May'n and Ami Maeshima Return
The second artist announcement for the world's most prestigious anime song (anisong) festival, Animelo Summer Live 2026 -Messenger- (Anisama 2026), has been made. Organizers have confirmed the addition of five new talents to the festival's lineup. These newly announced names include the legendary voice of the anisong world May'n, beloved voice actress Ami Maeshima, rising star Hina Aoki, and the popular music group HoneyWorks feat. HaKoniwalily. With the addition of these names, the festival's musical spectrum has expanded even further.
The participation of May'n, in particular, has been met with great joy among fans. Known for voicing the character Sheryl Nome in the Macross Frontier series and for her iconic songs, the artist is recognized as one of the most experienced names on the Anisama stage. On the other hand, the performance of Ami Maeshima, who made a magnificent comeback after being away from the industry for a while, is also eagerly awaited. Maeshima, who brought the character Aya Maruyama to life in the BanG Dream! project, appears to be a candidate to be one of the most talked-about names of the festival with her stage energy.
The festival's theme this year, "Messenger", focuses on the power of music to carry emotions and stories across generations. Held since 2005 and bringing together tens of thousands of anime fans at the Saitama Super Arena every year, Animelo Summer Live is not just a concert series, but also an event where the heart of the anime industry beats. As in previous years, the 2026 edition is planned to last three days and host the most iconic performances of the genre. The event usually takes place in the last week of August, serving as a grand farewell to the summer season.
The newly added Hina Aoki has recently drawn attention with her success in the group MyGO!!!!!, while the collaboration between HoneyWorks and HaKoniwalily will reinforce the festival's atmosphere with their emotional and energetic tracks. Third and fourth waves of artist announcements are expected in the coming months. Details regarding ticket sales and the full schedule can be followed on the official Anisama website. For anime music enthusiasts, this festival continues to be the most important event of the year, offering the opportunity to see their favorite artists on the same stage.
