ANIME NYC: RECAP THE CON AND MILITARY’S RECRUITMENT EFFORTS


By bblouin
The military showed up at anime NYC this year.

Since 2017, Anime NYC has continued to establish itself as the premier anime convention in the Big Apple. Anime NYC 2023 featured sponsor Crunchyroll who provided attendees with sneak peeks, announcements, in-depth panels, and more. But while many were looking to enjoy a weekend of celebrating their fandoms, the U.S. military had other ideas. Catch up on what you missed and dive into how the American Armed Forces are turning to anime culture to help defend our nation. Suggested read: Remembering The Life of First Lady Rosalynn Carter

When Is Anime NYC?

Anime NYC just took place on November 17-19, 2023. However, if you’re looking for Anime NYC tickets for the next go-round, be sure to save the dates for August 23–25, 2024. This is when Japanese pop culture will once again take centerstage. There is a lot to see, hear, and experience at Anime Con NYC and this year was no different. A host of concerts and events set the backdrop for highly anticipated releases, unique collectibles, and the best cosplays. As the brainchild of LeftField Media, the purpose of Anime NYC isn’t just to provide the largest convention but to deliver through connecting with the culture on a personal level. Below, we’re exploring some of the biggest announcements that have fans continuing to feel the excitement of what is coming to the anime and manga scene.

Recapping the Con

There is no shortage of exciting announcements brought forth from Anime NYC 2023. In fact, many trailers are finally available for the public. More continues to roll out as anticipation and speculation fills the Internet following the Crunchyroll-sanctioned con. ICYMI, here are some of the most exciting things to look forward to:

  • Several anticipated licensing announcements came to fruition, including the J-Novel Club releasing more than 12 titles for readers to enjoy.
  • Crunchyroll announced many different titles for fans to look forward to, including Solo Leveling getting an English version in January 2024. There is also season two of Tower of God, arriving in July 2024.
  • Fans of My Hero Academia are in for a treat as sub and dub U.A. Heroes Battle will begin streaming before December 2023. Not too long afterward, new English dubbed One Piece episodes are also dropping.
  • True Beauty fans will receive a series to match the webtoon in 2024.
  • Finally, fans can also expect more Dr. STONE, Black Butler, and SPY x FAMILY on the way.

Admittedly, there is much more Anime NYC has to offer, making for a truly impressive run of content to eagerly wait for. However, fans weren’t only talking about release dates and trailers this year. Notable military and FBI presence among the booths is part of the buzz as the American Armed Forces tries to reach Gen Z in new ways. Related read: These 5 Army Unit Patches Are Both Absurd and Awesome

Anime NYC Had Military Recruitment Booths Causing Some Concern

Military recruitment is a complex subject for our volunteer force. However, there is no denying that it’s at a considerable low. Many are looking to Gen Z, but connecting with the generation is proving to be difficult. This is part of the reason why Anime NYC found itself with three notable booths aiming to recruit fresh blood: the FBI, U.S. Army, and U.S. Marines (USMC). By most accounts, the FBI was a bit more subtle in its approach but as quotas for Soldiers and Marines continue to miss, the military is trying anything it can to find recruits. In fact, this isn’t the first time. The troubles with recruitment are not new. This is why the military has been looking at different ideas to fill its ranks. Back in 2021, the Army used an anime-style series showcasing five different people and how their backgrounds, though different, led them to become Soldiers. According to the Chief of Army Enterprise Marketing, Maj. Gen. Alex Fink, the campaign was what grabbed the most attention. Years later, the booths at Anime NYC 2023 are also garnering attention. Not all of it, however, is necessarily positive. Though you could find the military at San Diego Comic-Con and WonderCon in years before, some were suspicious as to why the military chose Anime NYC to partner with and vice versa.

🎖️ As a military partner at Anime NYC 2023, the United States Marine Corps invites you to see what drives Marines.

🪖 Stop by Booth #373 to compete in our Battle Dome, and let’s talk about both what it takes to become a Marine! LEARN MORE: https://t.co/KPpn6dSgMb pic.twitter.com/JhNUHnNUt4 — Anime NYC (@animenyc) November 8, 2023

The Impact of Military Prescence at Anime NYC

Booths featuring interactive features were present and there were accounts of common anime themes found. However, some within the anime community were questioning the potential nature of recruiting at an event where children are present. This is similar to echoed sentiments found for years regarding military recruitment at schools and the backlash seen with previous military campaigns involving video games. Both, to be fair, have significant crossover with the anime community. The uncomfortable truth is that military recruitment at Anime NYC makes sense because of the age demographic. While anyone can and may like anime, younger audiences are a draw. But if the military is looking to genuinely connect with Gen Z, it needs to be careful in its approach in doing so. Read next: Military Recruitment Marketing: Using Video Games To Recruit Troops


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