Less than a month left until October and especially anime fans know what that means! Not only new seasons with our favorite anime but also our beloved AnimeCon He's coming back! He grew up another year and became AnimeCon: RUN Thessaloniki VIII. Some time before this year's event we thought together with Phantom Duck Some questions, which were answered by one of the organizers, Leaf Hatzopoulos.
What are we going to see this year? For which creator will the general tribute be? These and other things are answered below.
INTERVIEW 2026 - We're ready to run!
INTERVIEW 2026
1) The favorite Anime, Manga J-Pop Culture event of the year returns to Greece once again. What makes AnimeCon this year different from previous years?
Thank you for your kind words for the event! AnimeCon: RUN Thessaloniki this year is an extension of what we experienced last year and loved people and visitors. That is more guests, more shows & happenings and too many surprises. We're preparing an explosive weekend full of Japan. on 3 & 4 October in Thessaloniki!
2) For another year we have been seeing guests from all over the range of specialties. Mangaka, animators, cosplayers, voice agents, and of course the «J-Pop Idol» Misa announced a few days ago. Tell us more about your guests this year.
The heart of AnimeCon: RUN Thessaloniki is Japanese Pop Culture, so our goal is to gather guests representing all its aspects. Each guest has his own special touch from the rest, so that visitors can learn their art through their works.
From the field of manga We have the guest of honor. ZD The Court held that the Carlos Moreno The Court held that the Court of First Instance did not have jurisdiction in the main proceedings. Daniele Roudini The Court of First Instance has held that, in the case of the Nicolas Sauge from France, who visits Greece again after 10 years as the return guest of AnimeCon: RUN Thessaloniki and our own mangaka Manos Lagouvardos from Greece.
As manga creators, producers and fans we are always happy to have guests manga artists and visitors to know their works and the art of manga directly from the source. As AnimeCon, we aim to bring as close as possible the art and industry of anime to Greece and to the visitors of the event. That's why every year we have one guest animator from anime studio. This year from Denmark comes the Lon who has worked in series like Pokemon and One Piece!
Cosplay's art is the most direct festival of Pop Culture and cannot be missed by the guest line-up. This year we have two guest cosplayers, Chantilly from France and Nene from Japan that will give life and breath to the beloved anime characters of the audience.
Of course Japanese Pop Culture, without J-Pop Idol is not possible! Misa first comes to Greece and brings the wild rhythms to her concert that will take place within the Conference Center John Vellid. Finally there are other guests, but we still can't announce them.
This year's theme will be one of «old»But I can't announce it yet!
(3) For years Digital Soul Entertainment has hosted the event that compiles anime in our language. This year the Publications will be on the table. Little Hero with manga of Kodansha translated into Greek. Do you think this is indicative of the growing interest of anime and manga in Greece?
Greek compilation in anime has a history since the 1980s with favorite series and characters associated with the voice of many Greek actors, whether experienced, or who have just taken their first steps in the field of spectacle. In both cases they offered children one unrepeatable experience as they brought the anime closer to the Greek public. The same goes for manga. We are particularly pleased that a publishing house such as Little Hero with such a long history it turns to manga to offer the Greek public a quality publication with a view to making manga more accessible to the Greek public.
(4) There will be this year some central attraction like the previous two years that we had the impressive Cosplay Room based on anime «Kuroshitsuji» (2024) both thematic rooms (Yin & Yang) of 2025;
Yeah. Of course there will be! Interactive themes are a special piece of AnimeCon: RUN Thessaloniki and each time we want to surprise visitors. This year's theme will be one of «old»But I can't announce it yet! 🙂
(5) We have noticed that every year there is a general tribute to an important creator such as Akira Toriyama (Dragon Ball) and Tsutomu Nihei (Blame!). Will there be anything like that this year?
This year the honored artist is ZD with Space PunchSo there'll be a special panel tribute to his series, so that those who don't know it will know it.
(6) This year we're ready to run! What activities and happenings to expect?
There are so many shows and happenings that the program is suffocating. Guest presentations, panels and Q&As, interactive theme attractions and cosplay mini games, 10+ guests from all over Japanese Pop culture (anime – manga – cosplay – Jpop Idol), anime competitions, manga workshops, official film anime screenings in collaboration with anime studios from Japan, video-games, dance workshops, martial arts, karaoke and of course two cosplay shows and two Jpop Idol concerts! Weekend 3-4 October will be one Japan's weekend full of rhythms!
(7) For another year you are home to the vast site of the Bellegio. Good luck and we wish you to continue to grow more and more every year!
The increasing love of visitors and the memories they create within AnimeCon: RUN Thessaloniki is the reason why the exhibition grows! Thank you.
