JAFAX 2025 Brings Japanese Animation and Pop Culture Back to Grand Rapids
The Japanese Animation, Film, and Art Expo — JAFAX — returns to DeVos Place Convention Center on June 27th through 29th for three exhilarating days of activities, exhibitors, gaming, and entertainment with a focus on Japanese animation and pop culture. 2025 marks JAFAX’s 27th year, continuing its tradition of being West Michigan’s longest-running anime con, drawing thousands of attendees from all across Michigan, the Midwest, and the United States.

Headlining JAFAX 2025 are a quintet of celebrities from the world of anime and animation: voice actors Stephanie Nadolny (Kid Goku in “Dragon Ball,” Kid Gohan in “Dragon Ball Z,” and Goku Mini in “Dragon Ball Daima”); Jessie James Grelle (Armin Arlert in “Attack on Titan,” Fumikage Tokoyami in “My Hero Academia,” and Yuri Katsuki in “Yuri on Ice!!!”); David Errigo, Jr. (Ranma Saotome [boy] in Netflix’s “Ranma ½;” Ferb in “Phineas and Ferb,” and Dudley the Dodo in “Ridley Jones”); and Tiana Camacho (Ermes Costello in “Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean,” Dump in “Sakamoto Days,” and Gym Leaders Nessa and Bea in “Pokemon”). Also joining JAFAX this June is celebrity artist Zach Giering (storyboard supervisor for “Helluva Boss” and storyboard artist for “Hazbin Hotel”).

Other JAFAX 2025 special guests include United Nations musical ambassador Kohei Hattori; Meijer Gardens horticulturalist Ted Bentley; Taiko drumming group Michigan Hiryu Daiko; martial-arts groups Grand Rapids Sumo Club, Swordsmanship Museum and Academy, and Family Martial Arts; Idol performers the ChiRi Girls; Japanese culture experts the Soga Japan Center and the Japanese Heritage Society; and professional cosplayers Kira Elric, AMHCosplays, and Exuberant Cosplay.

Game enthusiasts can enjoy JAFAX’s many gaming offerings, which include popular Japanese arcade cabinets; console and tabletop gaming; the JAFAX Pokemon League; multiple gaming tournaments; and the Indie Game Space, where independent game developers will be sharing their original game creations. Likewise, fans of cosplay will find plenty of offerings at this year’s event. In addition to the Cosplay Craftsmanship Contest and the Cosplay Showcase, JAFAX 2025 is introducing an Exhibitors Cosplay Contest, a Hall Cosplay Contest, a Children’s Cosplay Contest, and a Cosplay Chess event in which cosplayers serve as the chess pieces.

JAFAX 2025’s other offerings include an exhibit hall filled with scores of vendor and artist booths; more than 80 panels, presentations, and live events; a Saturday evening electric dance music party; a Manga Library featuring more than 1,500 volumes; a scavenger hunt; a ribbon game; and a food drive to benefit JAFAX’s charity partner, Kids’ Food Basket.

Admissions options include a $130 JAFAX VIP badge, featuring such benefits as early access to the exhibit hall and gaming area; priority in the celebrity guest line; JAFAX 2025 swag; a Friday evening VIP Mixer; and a free celebrity autograph. The JAFAX weekend badge, currenty priced at $60, covers admission for all three days of the convention. Both of these options are available now at https://www.jafax.org/registration and will also be available for purchase at the event, with the weekend badge price increasing to $65 at the event. Only available at the door will be single-day badges as well as a $10 children’s badge which is good for the entire weekend.

JAFAX 2025 is sponsored in part by the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Arda Wigs, Biggby Coffee Monroe Center, the Comic Signal, Forest’s Edge Studios, Lucky Cat Market, and SakuraCo.