Hello, my name is Lee Hana. I usually work at a Japanese animation studio while also engaging in indie game development and participating in events.
Recently, I attended Anime Japan 2025 held at Tokyo Big Sight. It might be surprising, but I haven't participated in many offline events related to animation, and this was my first experience at such a large-scale event.
Therefore, this major event in the anime industry provided a valuable opportunity to witness a different kind of excitement and content than usual. Interestingly, I was able to find some similarities with the game events I have attended in the past. In this article, I would like to share my impressions of this year's Anime Japan from the perspective of someone who works at an animation studio while also developing indie games.
Differences in Atmosphere Between Game Shows and Anime Japan
The event that felt most similar in overall atmosphere and scale was the Tokyo Game Show held at Makuhari Messe last September. The massive booths and the large crowds made it clear that the event was attracting global attention. There were many foreign visitors, and since each booth offered participatory content like lotteries, I felt that they actively drew in attendees, which was similar to the game show experience.
While it may not be a significant difference, one thing that stood out was that the emphasis on displays was greater compared to a typical game show. This made the flow of people within the venue extremely important, and the management's ability to guide attendees' movements to prevent bottlenecks was crucial.
Differences in Visitor Behavior Patterns and Display Techniques
Even at the same event, there were displays with quite different atmospheres, making it a joy for the viewers.
What particularly stood out as a difference from game events was the sheer number of people taking photos. You might think that there are many people taking photos and videos at game shows as well, but unlike game events that focus on hands-on experiences, anime events center around viewing displays and participating in stage events. As a result, the ratio of photography was overwhelmingly high, and this led to careful considerations regarding the flow of people within the booths.
There are also differences in the behavior of attendees. I felt that they often moved along more patterned pathways, and the staff guiding them were very sophisticated in their approach. If I had a friend attending an anime event for the first time, I would want to tell them to pay attention to these aspects.
Moreover, the most appealing aspect of anime events is undoubtedly the opportunity to glimpse behind the scenes of production. Learning about the hidden stories of animation production—from planning to settings, background art, and filming—is undoubtedly a treat for fans who love the works. By viewing the displayed original drawings and footage, it introduced how the anime we casually watch is made and how creators approach their work with passion, from the perspective that fans want to know. This "reveal of the production process" seems to be less common at game events, but what do you all think?
These characteristics diversify the ways to enjoy anime events. Similar to game events, there are various types of attendees who enthusiastically pursue missions to acquire merchandise from popular titles, chase stage events, or want to learn about the behind-the-scenes production. I thought it was wonderful that there are plenty of options available to experience according to one's interests at anime events.
The Intersection of Games and Anime
While we often see novels and manga being adapted into anime, I feel that media mixes between games and anime have become a common sight recently. The significant difference between the two is that the transition from novels or manga to anime is fundamentally one-way (meaning it tends to settle into anime adaptations), whereas the relationship between games and anime is increasingly becoming a two-way media mix. This allows fans to enjoy content in more diverse forms.
One reason for this phenomenon is that the fan base consuming anime and games is very closely aligned. It no longer feels like "anime or games," but rather a growing awareness of providing "both anime and games." I expect this trend to strengthen even further in the future.
At Anime Japan this time, not only were there announcements of popular anime being adapted into games, but also numerous projects for hit games being adapted into anime. The fan communities of both media are merging, and among cosplayers, there are more people enjoying both game characters and anime characters.
This kind of cross-boundary collaboration seems to be expanding the possibilities of the entire content industry. Creators are increasingly finding opportunities to work across media boundaries, and there seems to be a vibrant movement to explore new forms of expression.
Epilogue: Discovering New Ways to Enjoy Through the Intersection of Two Cultures
After touring Anime Japan 2025, what I felt as a game developer was the "fusion of boundaries" in the future of the entertainment industry. While moving between the seemingly similar yet different worlds of game shows and anime events, I found myself more attracted to how they are gradually blending rather than their differences.
Beyond the superficial differences in exhibition methods and attendee movement patterns, I believe I discovered essential commonalities in enjoying content. The joy of immersing oneself in the world of anime and the fun of adventuring in the world of games may ultimately stem from the same desire for a wonderful storytelling experience. Moreover, the enthusiasm of fans enjoying these experiences is surprisingly similar.
As I walked through the venue, I often heard attendees saying, "This anime would be interesting as a game" or "I want to see this game world as an anime"—such spontaneous thoughts were exchanged naturally. As a fan myself, I found myself thinking that many times. There is a genuine desire to enjoy beloved works in various forms.
While working at an anime studio and being involved in indie game development, I sometimes ponder whether I am enjoying it as a fan of one or the other. However, through this Anime Japan, I felt that such distinctions may no longer be necessary. It’s a simple realization that we should enjoy what we love in as many forms as possible.
I want to continue enjoying both the worlds of anime and games, sometimes as a spectator and at other times as a creator. Next, I look forward to experiencing various works from a new perspective at a game event, utilizing the insights gained from this experience.
Anime Japan 2025 has become a place for me to discover new ways to enjoy content, going beyond just participating in an event. If you have the opportunity, why not try attending a slightly different type of event? You might make unexpected discoveries.