Con Report: Anime NYC 2025

Episode Notes – Bento Radio

Episode Title: Anime NYC 2025: Cosplay, Press Access, and the Heart of Fandom

Episode Summary:
Alex takes you inside Anime NYC 2025 with a full press recap—cosplay highlights, panel deep-dives, screenings, and the communal magic of one of the East Coast’s biggest anime conventions. From the Netflix showcase to underground AMV contests, hear why 140,000+ fans made the trip and why conventions like this matter more than ever.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
• 📸 Press access behind-the-scenes: what it’s like to cover Anime NYC as media
• 👘 Cosplay culture—professional vs hobbyist, TikTok dancers, and photo shoot chaos
• 🎥 Exclusive screenings: Sentence to be a Hero & Hanakimi leave a lasting impact
• ✍️ Live drawing with Shiwazu no Okina and why hentai artists make incredible mangaka
• 🎤 Voice actor panels, industry talks, and the AMV contest highlights
• 💡 Why conventions remain vital spaces for otaku community and identity