Animenia Abu Dhabi 2026: Dates, anime worlds, and Dh400,000 cosplay competition revealed
Animenia Abu Dhabi 2026 is set to make a spectacular return, promising the largest and most immersive anime festival the UAE has ever seen. Presented by BRAG, in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the five-day event runs from 11 to 15 February 2026 at Manarat Al Saadiyat.Designed as a fully immersive experience, Animenia Abu Dhabi blends anime storytelling, interactive design, live performances, gaming, food, retail, and workshops into one action-packed celebration. Fans can explore anime-inspired environments, enjoy screenings and live programming, discover rare Japan-only collectibles, and indulge in authentic Japanese street food, all under one roof.At the core of Animenia Abu Dhabi 2026 are four iconic anime franchises brought to life through large-scale interactive worlds: BLEACH, SPY x FAMILY, DAN DA DAN, and GINTAMA.BLEACH immerses fans in the world of Soul Reapers, featuring cinematic walkthroughs, interactive zones inspired by Shin-o Academy, obstacle challenges, and exclusive merchandise.DAN DA DAN delivers one of the festival’s most intense experiences, blending supernatural horror, humour, and high-energy interactive zones with live scenes and a horror-style courtyard.SPY x FAMILY offers a family-friendly, mission-based experience with escape-room-style challenges, interactive sets from the Forger household, and playful photo moments.GINTAMA brings its signature chaos and comedy to life through absurd challenges, a door maze, reflex-based games, and a Kabuki District-inspired layout.Each world places fans directly inside the anime, creating cinematic, photo-ready moments pulled straight from the screen.Dh400,000 cosplay competition and moreOne of the festival’s biggest highlights is the Animenia Abu Dhabi Cosplay Competition, featuring a record-breaking Dh400,000 prize pool. The competition will be judged by an elite international panel, including Cinderys, Myrtle, Piece of Cake Cosplay, and World Cosplay Summit champions Mio & Mayo, making it one of the region’s most competitive cosplay showcases.Beyond cosplay, the festival includes gaming zones, quiz areas, artist workshops, meet-and-greets, live stage performances, and a Konbini-style Japanese supermarket complete with authentic snacks, drinks, and a DIY instant noodle station. Official Animenia Abu Dhabi 2026 merchandise and exclusive collectibles will also debut at the event.When and where?When: 11 to 15 February 2026Where: Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu DhabiDay passes and festival passes are now on sale via Ticketmaster.ae and Platinumlist.net, with additional ticket categories to be announced.Khaleej Times Staff webteam@khaleejtimes.com
