The most anticipated anime festival returns to Abu Dhabi

Discover Abu Dhabi’s biggest anime festival this February with anime worlds, cosplay competitions and gaming experiences

If your February calendar looks a little empty, Animenia Abu Dhabi has plans for it. It’s the most anticipated anime festival in the capital and it’s taking place from February 11 to 15. For five days Manarat Al Saadiyat turns into a full-blown anime playground as Animenia returns for five days.

This year, four heavy hitters take over the floor. BLEACH, SPY x FAMILY, DAN DA DAN and GINTAMA each get their own immersive world, built to pull fans straight into the story. You can move through sets, solve challenges, dodge obstacles and grab photos that look like they belong on screen.

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BLEACH fans step into the world of Soul Reapers, complete with cinematic walk-throughs and an academy-style obstacle challenge. DAN DA DAN leans into its supernatural chaos with eerie spaces, jumpy moments and a horror school courtyard that does not play nice. SPY x FAMILY keeps things lighter with escape-room style missions, playful sets and plenty of family-friendly fun. GINTAMA brings the chaos with absurd games, a maze of doors and jokes that land when you least expect them.

Beyond the big four, the festival stays busy. There is a buzzing gaming zone, artist workshops, live programming and shopping that goes well beyond basic merch.

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Food gets its own moment too. A Konbini-style Japanese supermarket pops up with authentic snacks, drinks and a DIY instant noodle station that will likely become a crowd favourite.

Cosplay fans should clear their schedules. The cosplay competition returns with a massive Dhs400,000 prize pool and a judging panel stacked with international stars.