Las Vegas isn’t lucky enough to host huge anime conventions multiple times a year, but LVL Up Expo is the one time Vegas truly turns fully nerdy. LVL Up Expo takes over the Las Vegas Convention Center every April for one weekend. It feels like all the anime fans, gamers, cosplayers, and nerds come out of their rooms for once to enjoy the fun. It’s normal to see people on the Strip fully decked out in cosplay as they prepare to head out to the convention.
I attended the convention for the fourth time this year. But it was my first time going all three days and attending panels. The experience definitely made me want to come back next year and taught me that going for multiple days is really the only way to get the full experience.
Here are some of the highlights from LVL Up Expo 2026.
First Impressions & Friday Entry
Friday was the day that really set the tone for the entire expo. I was quickly reminded how intense the first day of a convention can be. Long lines forming well before general admission opened. Once the initial rush passes, there’s a lot of in-and-out at the convention, which makes entry much quicker.
This is one of the first perks of having a VIP pass over a regular pass. It’s worth the investment if you want to secure a good seat at a large panel or grab exclusive merchandise before it disappears. The artist alley is a blast, but it will absolutely drain your wallet faster than you’d expect. Panels give you breathing room and time to see entertainment about something you actually care about.
One thing I didn’t participate in this year was the Side Quest, a challenge they offer every year. Attendees go around the convention photographing cosplays and finding specific things on the floor. They then bring the documentation to the Side Quest booth to earn a special badge ribbon. I have friends who do it every year, but I end up too busy to look into it.
Celebrity Guests & Panels
LVL Up Expo featured a mix of voice actors, content creators, and industry guests across multiple panels throughout the weekend.
Dispatch Panel Highlights
The only panel I attended on Friday was the Dispatch video game panel. The panel featured voice actors Alannah Pierce (Malevola), Mayanna Berrin (Coupé), Erin Yvette (Blonde Blazer), and content creator Thot Squad (Prism).
The conversation focused on their different paths into voice acting and how they ended up working on the game. Some had a background in the voice-acting industry, while others got into it through their online presence, like Thot Squad. She also shared that the game’s release made her Spotify audience jump from 182,000 monthly listeners to over 1.2 million.
They took audience questions, shared favorite character lines, and all agreed they wished their characters had gotten more one-on-one time with the main character, Robert.
Naruto Panel
As a diehard fan of Naruto, it was only natural that I was super excited to attend the panel with some of the English and Japanese voice actors. This panel brought together Maile Flanagan (Naruto’s English VA), Junko Takeuchi (Naruto’s Japanese VA), Kazuhiko Inoue (Kakashi’s Japanese VA), and Chie Nakamura (Sakura’s Japanese VA).
This was hosted in a smaller panel room, making it more intimate compared to the larger events on the main stage. The only bummer was that photography and recording were not allowed, but it helped the audience stay attentive rather than recording the whole thing on a phone.
They talked about what it’s felt like to voice these characters across the years, how those roles carry over into their other work, and what it means to meet fans in the U.S. who grew up watching them.
I’ll never forget how Maile Flanagan and Junko Takeuchi both agreed to drink tequila to keep their voices healthy. Kazuhiko Inoue even popped in to say, “I like tequila too,” fully in English. I don’t know how accurate the tip is, but it was probably the funniest moment of the entire panel
Artist Alley, Gaming & Show Floor
Throughout Saturday and especially Sunday, I took my time and enjoyed all the activities around the show floor, including the artist alley and gaming areas.
Artist Alley Exploration
The Artist Alley is where independent artists set up shop selling merchandise, prints, and handmade goods for the series you know and love. Spending more time here on Saturday between panels was a much better experience than dealing with all the crowds on Friday.
I managed to nab a sticker for my badge and some new stickers for my water bottle here (didn’t rack up too much credit card debt!) I saw lots of great merch while I explored.
As always, the Itasha cars made an appearance at the con. There were several on display, and my favorite was a fully Akatsuki-themed one, complete with Hidan’s scythe from Naruto. It turned out to be a great photo op for many Akatsuki cosplayers at the convention.
Western animation was a big focus this year, with the longest merch lines I saw. The Amazing Digital Circus and Hazbin Hotel both had long lines for merchandise, with people waiting 30 minutes to two hours, especially if they came in later with general admission. Once again, the value of having a VIP badge.
The GamerSupps booth was hard to miss and a worthwhile stop to get some extra energy. They had free samples of their energy drinks to try and some to purchase. Some of the best flavors are apparently Anime Thighs, Goof Juice, and Guacamole Gamer Fart (it’s part of the brand!)
Gaming Options
The upper level of the convention center offered many gaming options, including areas for competitive matches and casual play zones. I sat down to watch a few Super Smash Bros. Ultimate matches to kill time in between panels without having to leave the second floor entirely.
There was also a tabletop gaming section with strategy and card games like Lorcana, which was a nice surprise. It’s good to see how LVL Up Expo makes space for different types of attendees outside of just anime and cosplay. There really is something here for anyone with even a slight interest in gaming or fandom.
The open free-play area downstairs had a solid selection of arcade games, including classics like Wacca and Dance Dance Revolution (DDR). Making it a fun way to kill time in the back of the con floor or just decompress between exploring. But I realized I still suck at DDR.
Cosplay Remains a Huge Focus
As always, cosplay is a huge part of the LVL Up experience. Throughout the weekend, I spotted cosplays from classic anime, newer series, and popular games. But there was a huge amount of Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss cosplays, to my surprise.
Some of my personal favorites were a Husker from Hazbin Hotel, Griffith and Guts from Berserk, and a Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Soul Eater crossover group that fully recreated one of the poses for Death the Kid’s trio.
One thing conventions remind me of is that cosplay is not limited to just one body type. I saw a wide range of characters, styles, and levels of craftsmanship. It’s a much more authentic representation of the cosplay community compared to what people see on social media.
I even got to participate in it myself by dressing up as Raven from Teen Titans. One of my goals next year is to plan my cosplays further in advance so I can participate more. Living in Vegas, LVL Up is one of the few times you can actually cosplay in public and fit in completely.
The con also featured a variety of cosplay meetups for popular series such as Kingdom Hearts, Persona, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, and Naruto. I was heartbroken to miss the Kingdom Hearts meetup because it overlapped with my Friday panel, but that’s just the nature of a packed convention schedule.
Sunday: The Final Day
By Sunday, I was pretty exhausted. Many people get burned out by the first two days and can’t even make it to Sunday. It’s much more relaxed, so many people use the final day to revisit Artist Alleys at a slower pace, attend smaller panels, and connect with friends also at the con.
I attended the Critical Role panel with some of the voice actors in The Legend of Vox Machina, the only panel on the Main Stage that day. Getting an autograph from a voice actor is officially on my LVL Up Expo bucket list. Cristina Vee wasn’t at the expo this year, but if she comes back next year, I definitely want to get one of my Homura figures from Puella Magi Madoka Magica signed by her.
Final Thoughts
LVL Up 2026 was nothing short of amazing, and I learned the value of pacing yourself during a multi-day convention.
Trying to experience everything in a single day can feel overwhelming. I don’t know how I managed it when I only attended on Saturday back in 2022. Spreading activities across the three days allows someone to have a much more enjoyable experience without being super exhausted. The event offers something for anime fans, gamers, collectors, and even casual attendees.
Next year, I’m for sure coming back with a plan: pre-arranged cosplays for all three days, a dedicated budget for autographs, and even more excitement to see as much as I can.
