Animenia Abu Dhabi has dropped its first lineup of voice actor guests for its 2026 festival, and it’s a big one. The event will feature meet and greets with some of Japan’s most iconic voices, including Yuki Kaji from Attack on Titan.
The five-day festival runs from 11-15 February at Manarat Al Saadiyat, reinforcing its place as a key event for the region’s anime fans. If you’ve been waiting for details on the upcoming anime festival, this is the kind of lineup that makes you check your calendar immediately.
The voices you can actually meet
Headlining the guest list is Yuki Kaji, a major name known for voicing Eren Yeager in Attack on Titan, Shoto Todoroki in My Hero Academia, and Kenma Kozume in Haikyuu!!. He is scheduled to appear on 14 and 15 February.
Joining him is Noriko Hidaka, a legend whose career includes roles like Satsuki in My Neighbor Totoro and Kikyo in Inuyasha. Fans can meet her on 13 and 14 February. Her appearance is a great addition, especially with the recent Studio Ghibli exhibition news also taking place at Manarat Al Saadiyat. The lineup is rounded out by Fairouz Ai, the voice of Jolyne Cujoh in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean and Power in Chainsaw Man, who will appear on 14 February.
More than just meet and greets
Beyond the guest appearances, the festival is building four large-scale immersive anime worlds. You can step into environments inspired by BLEACH, SPY x FAMILY, DAN DA DAN, and GINTAMA. Each zone promises themed walkthroughs, interactive games, photo opportunities, and exclusive merchandise.
The event also includes a dedicated Gaming Zone, artist-led workshops, karaoke stages, and Japanese street food. It’s a full-on celebration of Japanese pop culture, not just a series of panels.
That Dhs 400,000 prize pool
For cosplayers, the main event is often the competition, and Animenia is delivering with a massive Dhs 400,000 prize pool. That’s not a typo. The competition will be judged by a world-renowned panel, though names have not yet been announced. It’s one of the largest cosplay prizes in the region, making it a serious draw for creators.
When and where to find Animenia in Abu Dhabi
Animenia Abu Dhabi runs from Wednesday, 11 February to Sunday, 15 February 2026. The event takes place at Manarat Al Saadiyat on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. Tickets are available now, with more guest announcements expected closer to the date. You can get tickets from the official website, http://www.animeniaabudhabi.com.