NEW YORK, NY – December 11, 2024 – Geek Extreme, a leading geek culture website, has announced ambitious plans to revive the iconic Big Apple Anime Fest (BAAF), New York City’s premier anime celebration that originally ran from 2001 to 2003. The revival aims to rebuild the bridge between the vibrant Brooklyn anime community and Manhattan’s entertainment scene for a new generation of digital-savvy fans.
The original BAAF made history by bringing anime culture to Times Square with massive video displays and cosplay gatherings, transforming the heart of Manhattan into a celebration of Japanese pop culture. The festival hosted industry legends including Yoshiyuki Tomino (creator of Mobile Suit Gundam), Shinichiro Watanabe (director of Cowboy Bebop), and Masashi Kishimoto (creator of Naruto). During its run, BAAF attracted over 5,000 attendees in its inaugural year and was known for groundbreaking events like the East Coast premiere of “Spirited Away”.
“With the exponential growth of anime culture in New York City, from Times Square advertising to Brooklyn’s thriving manga shops, the timing couldn’t be better for BAAF’s return,” said Oliver Deleon, founder of Geek Extreme. “We’re committed to honoring the festival’s legacy while incorporating modern convention features that today’s anime fans expect and deserve.”
The revival initiative is currently exploring premier venues that can accommodate both intimate fan gatherings and large-scale events, reminiscent of the original festival’s successful format at Madison Square Garden and surrounding venues. The new BAAF promises to combine traditional elements like cosplay competitions and industry panels with cutting-edge technological experiences and interactive exhibitions.
Community Engagement Opportunities:
Email updates and development news
Newsletter subscription at bigappleanimefest.com
Social media engagement campaigns
Volunteer and organizing committee positions
Early-bird registration opportunities (coming soon)
Anime fans, industry professionals, and potential sponsors interested in supporting the revival can contact [email protected] or sign up for the newsletter at bigappleanimefest.com for updates on development and upcoming announcements.
About Big Apple Anime Fest
The Big Apple Anime Fest (2001-2003) was New York City’s premier anime celebration, known for bringing together fans from across the tri-state area and hosting prestigious industry guests from Japan. The festival played a crucial role in establishing anime’s cultural presence in New York City and set the standard for modern anime conventions on the East Coast.
Media Contact
Oliver Deleon
57 West 57th Street New York, NY, 10019, USA
[email protected]
Media ContactCompany Name: Big Apple Anime FestContact Person: Oliver DeleonEmail: Send EmailAddress:57 West 57th Street City: New YorkState: NYCountry: United StatesWebsite: https://www.bigappleanimefest.com/
