Manga & Anime Events in Tokyo

If your love for anime and manga has you planning a trip to Tokyo this summer, then the Japankuru team is here to help. August in Japan is hot and humid, and many of Tokyo’s most popular sightseeing spots start to feel like a sauna after a few minutes outside. Sure, as an anime fan you’ll probably want to visiti Akihabara and Ikebukuro, but how long can you sweat it out on the busy streets before you need a break?

The best way to spend summer in Tokyo is inside, but fortunately for nerdy travelers, the city offers a year-round schedule packed full of otaku events, many of which are based on Japan’s most popular manga and anime series. To make the most of your trip to Japan, and save yourself from melting into a puddle on the hot Tokyo sidewalk, fill your Tokyo itinerary (or just find a fun weekend activity) with this little list of our most anticipated August 2024 manga and anime events!

① Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Total Concentration Exhibition

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Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba broke records and wowed audiences all over the world when the anime premiered, and the series is keeping up the momentum, with the widespread fanbase unable to tear their eyes (us included) away from Tanjiro and Nezuko as they embark on their animated adventures. This special anime exhibition is focused mainly on the two most recent anime arcs, where the Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito joins Tanjiro to defeat a pair of upper-rank demons, and then the entire Demon Slayer Corps commits to a grueling training routine in order to keep Nezuko out of the grasp of Muzan Kibutsuji. Exhibits include original sketches from the making of the manga, paintings and illustrations, behind-the-scenes peeks at the anime production process, and some striking models of the most popular characters. After enjoying the exhibition, you won’t want to miss the gift shop’s wide variety of original Demon Slayer merchandise: everything from keychains and art prints to towels, t-shirts, headbands, and other fun accessories!

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Total Concentration Exhibition • Swordsmith Village & Hashira Training Arcs (鬼滅の刃全集中展　刀鍛冶の里編・柱稽古編)
Event Dates: July 18, 2024 – August 14, 2024
▶︎ Event Details

② Junji Ito Exhibition: Enchantment

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With almost 40 years of fantastic horror manga under his belt, Junji Ito is an icon in the world of niche manga, known for longer works like Tomie and Uzumaki (Spiral), dozens of recognizable one-shots, and even some creepily cute cat comics. So, whether you’re already a huge Ito fan, or you have just a passing interest in manga outside the mainstream, this Junji Ito Exhibition is a must-see. Stop by to see rooms full of original sketches and manga panels from all of the artist’s most famous works, plus a huge variety of paintings and illustrations, and even a couple of interactive exhibits – plus a tempting gift shop with cool t-shirts, wall hangings, magnets, mugs, and more. If you speak Japanese (or don’t mind pulling out a translation app all the time) you can also read comments straight from the author’s mouth, scattered throughout the exhibition.

For a much more detailed look at what this event is like, take a look at our review-turned-guide to the Junji Ito exhibition, with highlights and pictures to pique your interest!

Junji Ito Exhibition: Enchantment (伊藤潤二展 誘惑)
Event Dates: April 27, 2024 – September 1, 2024
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③ Kuroko’s Basketball 15th Anniversary Exhibition

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For anyone who loves a good sports anime, this special Kuroko’s Basketball exhibition offers a unique opportunity, bringing fans together from all over the world to celebrate 15 years since the start of this beloved manga turned anime. Join the crowd of like-minded Kuroko’s Basketball lovers to check out paintings and sketches from the artist Tadatoshi Fujimaki, and reminisce over the trials and tribulations of a Japanese basketball team. The exhibition also includes a selection of original panels from the creation of the manga, which are being displayed to the public for the first time ever, including a special feature on one particular basketball face-off from the manga voted “Best Match” by fans – a surprise until you go see the exhibition for yourself! So get your ticket (maybe consider getting a t-shirt at the same time) and head to Ikebukuro this summer to commemorate 15 years of Kuroko’s Basketball!

Kuroko’s Basketball 15th Anniversary Exhibition (黒子のバスケ 15周年記念展)
Event Dates: August 10, 2024 – August 26, 2024
▶︎ Event Details

More Tokyo Events for August

If you love Japanese culture and want to see a broader selection of upcoming events in Tokyo, there’s plenty more where these came from, and not just in August either. Don’t forget to check the Japankuru event calendar for more manga and anime-themed events in Tokyo, plus many more festivals, exhibitions, and other fun attractions all over Japan!

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