Sakura-Con
The time has come!
Mark those calendars and set those alarms, our 2026 schedule is now LIVE!
Check out all events and get your schedule made: https://sakuracon.org/programming/schedule
Sakura-Con 2026 Schedule Is Now LIVE!
News
Tournament Gaming Signup and Schedule
Tournament Video Gaming has launched our start.gg page, where Sakura-Con attendees can view the tournament schedule and sign up for events. It can be found at https://www.start.gg/sakuracon
We’re running over 30 brackets, so there should be something for everyone!
We’re located in Tahoma 3 on the 3rd floor of Arch at 800 Pike.
By participating in a tournament, attendees can win prizes from the prize room if they place high enough. Signups are first come, first serve. However, if signups are full on start.gg, we are reserving some space for people to sign up at the convention itself.
Read More »Guest Announcement: Studio Orange
MASAKO SATO
Animation Director / Episode Director
TRIGUN STARGAZE Director.
An animation director and episode director with extensive experience in both television and theatrical productions, she has served in a wide range of roles from episode direction to series director. Her notable works include HAIKYU!! TO THE TOP. [Read More…]
NAOYA NAKAYAMA
Director / Animation Director / Storyboard Artist
A rising animator and visual director gaining strong recognition in the Japanese animation industry. Building on his animation background developed at Kyoto Animation, he brings a versatile skill set spanning key animation, storyboarding, and directing. He is known for expressive character acting and visually driven direction that blends music, rhythm, and dynamic camera work. [Read More…]
Producer behind LEVIATHAN, associate producer on BEASTARS and TRIGUN STAMPEDE.
Born in 1982, Japan. Nabe is a producer at Orange, and currently working on TRIGUN STAMPEDE as its business producer. Nabe grew up in Los Angeles and after graduating from college, he joined the US branch of the animation studio Madhouse. Throughout early years in anime industry, under legendary Masao Maruyama’s mentorship, Nabe gained unique international production experience ranging from live-action to international collaboration projects [Read More…]
Extremely Hard Take-Home Anime Quiz
Sakura-Con 2026 Dances
Cosplay Chess Applications Closing Soon!
Cosplay Chess Applications will close this Saturday, 02/28/26 at 11:59PM Pacific. There’s still time to be a part of this annual event and help to grow our community of cosplayers! The only thing you need to qualify for Cosplay Chess is a cosplay and we welcome fandoms from all over!
For all ages, we have the first-ever Cosplay Chess Arena! Join our two mad scientists as they attempt to engineer the most powerful being in the multiverse! What could possibly go wrong? Okay, a lot could go wrong, but we’ll have fun finding out! Cosplay Chess: Arena
For ages 18+, we have Cosplay Chess After Dark! Be a part of the battle of Mankind vs Monsters and help your team dominate the chess board! Hilarity and action meet in this tale as old as time and we encourage all newcomers and veterans alike to apply! Cosplay Chess: After Dark
Read More »Guest Announcement: Haruki Ishiya
Haruki Ishiya is a Japanese voice actor affiliated with Osawa Office.
You can hear him in various works, including Hikaru Gero in “MARRIAGETOXIN”, Jiro Yamada in “Hypnosis Mic”, Shuichi Tsukamoto in “Sound! Euphonium”, and Kaoru Namikido in “Tougen Anki”.
Read More »Cosplay Contest Judge Announcements
Hylian Cream
Hylian Cream is a Sewing Educator & Cosplayer from Southern California. With over 14 years of cosplay under her belt, she has won numerous awards for her craftsmanship and on stage performances. She is a Janome educator, working with the company…
Akivi.cos
Aki (akivi.cos) is a Seattle-based Masters-level cosplayer specializing in advanced prop fabrication, 3D modeling, and the integration of digital and traditional craft techniques. In December 2025, Aki was selected with their cosplay partner as an International…
Weichiadi
Wei (@weichiadi) is a cosplayer, educator, and content creator recognized for her craftsmanship expertise and her engaging “vlogtorial” style, unique approach that allows her to share both the creative/technical process and the challenges that come alo…
MASAKO SATO
Animation Director / Episode Director
TRIGUN STARGAZE Director.
An animation director and episode director with extensive experience in both television and theatrical productions, she has served in a wide range of roles from episode direction to series director. Her notable works include HAIKYU!! TO THE TOP.
Sato began her career at Studio Ghibli as an animator, working as an in-betweener on Spirited Away, key animator on TALES FROM EARTHSEA and PONYO, and storyboard assistant on THE TALE OF PRINCESS KAGUYA. She later became a freelancer and moved into directing.
In television series, she has handled opening and ending sequences, storyboards, and episode direction for many titles, including THE APOTHECARY DIARIES, CHIIKAWA, WELCOME TO THE BALLROOM, DANCE DANCE DANSEUR, AND JELLYFISH CAN’T SWIM IN THE NIGHT
Sato’s appearance at Sakura-Con with TRIGUN STARGAZE marks her first time attending the event.
Cosplay Chess Applications are Open
Eligibility:
This event is open to all registered convention attendees. You must have a valid Sakura-Con badge for the day of the pre-meet and match in order to participate.
Participants in Cosplay Chess: After Dark must have a valid Sakura-Con Adult badge and obtain a Mature Audience Ribbon (Valid government issued ID Required to get ribbon) provided by the Convention. Minors are not allowed to participate in mature audience programming per Sakura-Con policies.
Read More »