AnimeNYC 2025: Thursday......A Great Start!!!
Joseph Watkins Da Watcha
AnimeNYC kicked off on August 21, 2025, and with it came a brand-new day: Thursday. Even though the new day lasted about four hours, it gave fans a taste of what’s to come for the full Anime weekend.
Nestled in the Jacob Javits Center—and after drawing over 100K fans last year—this year’s event promises to be even grander.
Cosplay.
Anime never disappoints as fans showcased their gear, accessories, and makeup for all to see. A wild Pikachu even made an appearance in the crowd. As attendees took photos of their favorite characters, we also captured moments when fans showed appreciation to cosplayers who went above and beyond in bringing those characters to life.
Thursday Cosplay '25
〰️
Thursday Cosplay '25 〰️
With the main hub serving as the cultural center for cosplay displaying, we were able to both capture the creativity and learn a few unexpected dance moves.
Drip.
Vendors showcased their products, but there were a few that caught our attention. #shoutout to DykeMint and Sukeban.NYC
DYKEMINT
DykeMint, founded by nonbinary lesbian Fi Black and her partner Lita Bacus, brings anime-inspired, nerdcore streetwear to life with bold, handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pieces made from thrifted and salvaged materials. Known for their “chaotic maximalist collage” aesthetic and size-inclusive offerings ranging from XS to 6X, DykeMint transforms reclaimed textiles into wearable art that celebrates queerness, fandom, and individuality.
Sukeban.NYC
Sukeban.NYC also stood out with its anime-driven apparel and artist-led culture. The brand channels empowerment and artistry, fusing streetwear with the visual dynamics of manga and animation. Sukeban, Japanese for “Girl Boss”, is a streetwear brand inspired by creatives who love anime and manga art.
Sukeban is a collaborative project where each artist is asked for their specific interpretation of what a badass woman looks like. The shinobi with the pen, Nikolas Draper-Ivey was present speaking with fans about the clothing line as well as showcasing his newest entry into the creative world Grandeur+
SideNote: The term “sukeban” refers to 1960s–70s Japanese schoolgirl gangs, and the brand similarly blends fierce femininity with artful rebellion and design.
Manga: Everborn
We were able to get a glimpse of the newest manga series, EverBorn by Stephen A.M. Johnson. Everborn is an expansive multimedia saga blending elements of Western fantasy and Shōnen manga, encompassing comics, novels, and games. Interview here.
LAN Party: Late Night Vibes
As the main hub closed, fans were invited to the official afterparty hosted by LAN Party Studios, and they did not disappoint. Inside, the anime vibes were the perfect blend of gaming and nightlife. Themed bevs, nonstop competitive gaming, and a continuous flow of music—sponsored by DJ Zay: The Baby Faced Assassin—kept guests moving, making this event IG and TikTok worthy as Zay blended Hip-Hop, Pop, Reggaeton, and anime themes together.
Cosplay also stole the show as guests arrived fully suited for the nightlife, as they brought anime, manga, and video game characters to life. There was even another Pikachu sighting. At LAN Party’s second annual AnimeNYC afterparty, the vibes were a full-on pop culture adventure.
Final Thoughts
AnimeNYC’s Thursday didn’t disappoint and incorporating an additional day into the schedule (capped at four hours) was a great experience. With calm weather, fans were comfortable as they discussed their favorite arcs, enjoyed anime-inspired dishes, and snapped photos of each other.
With AnimeNYC, LeftField Media continues to create new avenues for fans to connect, celebrate cosplay, explore unique vendors like DykeMint and Sukeban.NYC, and immerse themselves in asian-inspired culture.
From the main hub’s creative energy to the LAN Party afterparty’s gaming and music vibes, Thursday set the stage for an exciting and unforgettable weekend.
Respect.
