Unfortunately, we’re not able to have our Speed Friending (Speed Dating) Session on Saturday at 12:00 pm this year. It will be replaced by a speed dating session. Online registration hours for all sessions will be extended to close at 10:00 pm.
Get ready to have a good time with all things Tabletop: role-playing games, trading card games (TCGs), Mahjong, and board games to borrow!
Role-Playing Games are run by our Gaming Hall staff and focus on collaborative experiences and storytelling. SIGN UPS ARE OPEN! Sign ups will close 48 hours before the start of each event. Sign up here: https://apps.fanime.com/2026/tabletop/
Learn-to-Plays: Know one TCG, but want to learn another? You’re in luck – drop into our Learn-to-Play tutorials with our teachers from Laughing Dragon!
Check out our TCG Tournaments lineup:
You asked, we deliver – even MORE Magic: The Gathering for 2026! Multiple MTG Commander tournaments per day, AND the option to drop by during the day so we can help make pods for you! Plus, Maids the Gathering is back and better than ever! Join us for a chance to play MTG Commander with the Fanimaids on stage! Lastly, we’ll close out the con with MTG Staffer Showdown – help OR hinder our staff while they play Commander!
MORE Mahjong for 2026:
Board Game Library:
Our board game library is at your service! If you’ve got some downtime, why not relax in our Gaming Hall Tabletop area and play some board games with your friends before your next event? Or, make it competitive in board game favorites such as UNO, Jenga, and more! Board games are free to borrow during all hours of our Gaming Hall so… meet you at midnight?!
For event details, registration information, and more, please visit https://www.fanime.com/gaming/tabletop-gaming/
Stray Violet is an indie pop trio from the Bay Area that has performed at anime events and conventions across California. Influenced by a wide variety of genres, including soul, rock, R&B, jazz, edm, and pop, they aim to share the kind of music that inspires them to inspire others.
Check out Stray Violet at MusicFest where they will be opening for ALI!
MusicFest will be held at the San Jose Civic on Saturday, May 23rd, 2026.
Doors for MusicFest open at 6:00 pm and the concert starts at 7:00 pm.
The Gaming Stage is back! This is the place where our eGaming finalists will compete and show their skills on the big screen in classic games such as Mario Kart, Street Fighter 6, and more! Cheer on your friends!
We’ll also have some new fun events this year! Be sure to check out:
For event schedule and more details, please visit https://www.fanime.com/gaming/gaming-stage/ or speak to a Gaming Hall staffer at-con!
Looking for some good ol’ classic video games? You’d definitely want to check out the eGaming section of the Gaming Hall! And don’t forget our Arcade section to get your fill of all your favorite arcade machines!
Drop-in and play your favorite Nintendo Switch, PS5, retro, and arcade games during all hours of the Gaming Hall:
We’ve got a multitude of arcade tournaments this year! Let’s see your skills in:
Have a competitive spirit? Test out your skills in our eGaming tournaments! Finals will be broadcast on our Gaming Stage! It’s not too late to start preparing now so you’ll be ready to bring your A-game at FanimeCon and win awesome prizes!
For all things eGaming, check out https://www.fanime.com/gaming/egaming/ or visit the eGaming help desk!
For our Arcade events schedule and more details, please visit https://www.fanime.com/gaming/arcade-gaming/
Get involved behind the scenes and volunteer for FanimeCon! Volunteering is a great way to contribute to the convention’s operations while getting your badge reimbursed. We also offer prizes and giveaways exclusively for volunteers.
Please visit our page for more information. https://www.fanime.com/volunteer/
Looking for a place to draw during FanimeCon? The Art Lounge by PaperDemon is the place you want to be!
Drop by Room 232 in the San Jose Convention Center during our open hours for some time to relax and draw to your heart’s content. Seasoned artist? You are welcome to bring your own art tools, including your tablets. Starting from scratch? No problem – drawing materials will be provided as well!
Our open hours will be:
Visit https://www.fanime.com/gaming/art-lounge for more details and our events schedule! We hope to see you at FanimeCon!
For FanimeCon 2026, Dance is moving to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Jose! Find us on the first floor in the Santa Clara and San Jose rooms. Please note that Dance will be an 18+ event this year, and will require proof of age verification (Government-issued ID or Oasis wristband).
The Gaming Hall hours of operation will be as follows:
eGaming and Arcade: Drop by anytime to play your favorite arcade, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and retro games during all open hours of the Gaming Hall! Wanting to test your skills and claim glory? Our tournament schedule will be dropping soon!
Indie Games Showcase: Local game developers will grace the Gaming Hall to showcase their very own independent games! Try out something new and fresh?
Tabletop Events: Mahjong and your favorite boardgames will be available to checkout during all open hours of the Gaming Hall! Want to learn Mahjong but don’t know where to start? Participate in a Learn-to-Play Mahjong tutorial (and then test your skills in a tournament)! Same for Trading Card Games (TCGs) — participate in a Learn-to-Play tutorial to find your new favorite TCG! We’ll also have even more TCG tournaments this year for your enjoyment. Last but not least, be sure to check out our tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) led by our Gaming Hall Staff — stay tuned on how to register!
Gaming Stage: The Gaming Stage is the place to be for tournament finals and game nights for your viewing pleasure! Also, keep an eye out for special Maid Cafe events on the Gaming Stage!
Prize Wall (New for 2026): Level up your Gaming Hall experience! Collect special tickets and trade them in at the Prize Wall to collect cool prizes! Tickets must be spent at the Prize Wall on the day they’re earned. Look for signs at-con for activities where you can earn tickets. Plus, enter the BIG special prize giveaway every day (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 10:00 pm and Monday at noon). Don’t miss out on a chance to win!
Stay tuned for more details, events schedules, and more! See you all at FanimeCon!
ALI is a boundary-pushing project centered around its vocalist LEO, a multicultural artist whose roots span Japan, Spain, the UK, and the Philippines. Based in Shibuya, Tokyo, the group lives by the motto “Long Live Music,” blending the rhythms of funk, soul, jazz, and Latin music with the raw energy of hip-hop, rock, and ska to create a truly genre-crossing sound.
They first made waves with their independently released 2019 single “Wild Side,” which served as the opening theme for the anime BEASTARS. Following this release, they skyrocketed to mainstream success with their first major-label track “LOST IN PARADISE feat. AKLO,” which was chosen to be the ending theme for the global hit anime JUJUTSU KAISEN. International baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani used the song as his walk-up song during his time with the Los Angeles Angels, shining even more light on the band and their work.
In 2022, ALI contributed “NEVER SAY GOODBYE feat. Mummy-D” as the opening theme for the anime Golden Kamuy, and in 2024, their songs “Professionalism feat. Hannya” and “BEYOND feat. MaRI” were used as opening and ending themes for the anime The Fable. In 2025, their song “CASANOVA POSSE” was chosen as the opening for the first part of the fourth season of the anime Dr. STONE. In 2026, Awich × ALI’s “Golden Horizon” was chosen as the theme song for Golden Kamuy’s theatrical preview of the “Sapporo Beer Factory Arc” and was used as the anime’s opening theme. Their newest song, “FUNKIN’ BEAUTIFUL feat. ZORN” features as the opening theme for the anime Eren the Southpaw.
With a strong international presence, ALI enjoys enduring popularity, having performed across the U.S., Argentina, Brazil, and successfully completed an Asia Tour in 2025. They appear at major festivals and perform live every year in multiple countries. Their performances and cross-cultural sound continue to defy conventions, break barriers, and unite fans across the globe.
Come experience their exciting energy yourself at their MusicFest concert, Q&A Panel and Autograph Sessions!
Official Web: https://alienlibertyinternational.com
X: https://x.com/ALI_MUSIC_DANCE
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ali.love.music.and.dance
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ali_official_japan
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ALI-ic5wf
