The much-anticipated Nijigen Expo 2026 is officially back, marking its 10th edition with a bigger and stronger presence at MITEC Kuala Lumpur from 30 May until 1 June 2026. Over the years, what started as a passionate community-driven anime and gaming gathering has evolved into one of Malaysia’s most recognised ACG events, connecting anime, comics, gaming, creators, intellectual property owners, distributors, retailers and fans from across Asia.
This year’s Nijigen Expo 2026 is not just about bringing together anime lovers and pop culture enthusiasts. It also reflects how Malaysia is steadily growing into an important hub for the ACG and licensing industry in Southeast Asia. With participation from official brands, international companies and industry players from Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam and several other countries, the event is creating more opportunities for business collaborations, official licensing partnerships and regional market expansion.
Walking into MITEC this year, the scale of the event feels even more exciting. Fans can expect a wide lineup of official experiences and exclusive merchandise launches that will definitely get collectors and enthusiasts hyped. Among the major highlights are the Alien Stage Official Licensed Pop-Up, BanG Dream Official Themed Booth with exclusive merchandise launches, and the official Malaysia debut of The Lost Tomb Pop-Up Experience.
For anime and gaming fans, there’s plenty to explore with exclusive releases and interactive experiences featuring major IPs such as BanG Dream, Alien Stage, Genshin Impact, Hunter x Hunter and Hololive. These official collaborations continue to elevate the overall event experience while giving Malaysian fans greater access to premium licensed content without needing to travel overseas.
One thoughtful addition this year is the free feeder bus service provided for visitors, making transportation to MITEC much more convenient. Attendees can hop on complimentary shuttle buses from Lalaport BBCC and MRT Titiwangsa, making it easier for public transport users and out-of-town visitors to get to the venue without the hassle of arranging additional transport.
One of the standout additions this year is the expanded Card Expo segment. Trading card game communities are in for something special with the official Malaysia debut of Genshin Impact Trading Cards, alongside major TCG brands and tournaments including Vanguard, Riftbound, Pokémon TCG and Bandai TCG. This expansion shows just how diverse Nijigen Expo has become, catering to both casual fans and competitive collectors.
Another exciting aspect of Nijigen Expo 2026 is the presence of international artists, idol groups, performers, cosplayers and VTubers, including participation from Nijisanji, one of Japan’s most recognised VTuber groups. This creates a rare opportunity for Southeast Asian fans to connect more closely with global creators and entertainment personalities.
Beyond the entertainment factor, Nijigen Expo is now placing stronger emphasis on business matching sessions and licensing opportunities. These initiatives are designed to connect international IP owners with distributors, shopping malls, F&B operators, marketing agencies and corporate partners, encouraging more official collaborations in licensing, promotional activations and merchandise production.
Nijigen Expo also extended its appreciation to title sponsor BIKA, alongside all official brands, media partners, exhibitors, artists, creators and communities who have played a part in supporting this milestone 10th edition. As the ACG and IP industry continues to grow rapidly across Southeast Asia, Nijigen Expo aims to continue serving as a strong platform that connects fan communities, industry players and business opportunities in Malaysia. With each edition growing bigger and more impactful, the expo continues to strengthen Malaysia’s position as an emerging hub for anime, gaming, intellectual property collaborations and regional creative industry development.
Large-scale events like Nijigen Expo 2026 also contribute significantly to Malaysia’s tourism, retail, hospitality and creative economy, attracting international visitors while supporting local businesses.
dixonthum 