We are hours away now from LVL UP Expo starting here in Las Vegas, it’s my first time attending and I am so pumped! Primarily, I have heard this convention was centered around gaming and eSports, but it’s so much more than what I thought! It is actually pretty anime/cosplay focused as well. You all know how I am so down for any anime conventions, but I am excited to play some games and learn more.
The weather isn’t the only reason I made the flight over here, it was also a work trip…but, the amazing (downright crazy) celebrity guest list had my jaw dropping. LVL UP is really showing us how it’s done, cause they got HUNTRIX. Arden Cho (Rumi), May Hong (Mira), and Ji-young Yoo (Zoey). I have been freaking out since I heard the news that all three were going to be attending, and I am stopping at nothing to meet them all! EEEEEK, I am just so excited and have been a huge fan.
Anyway, there are also some other insane guests on the announcements as well, such as the original Japanese voice actors for Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi from the popular series Naruto. They will also be having the English voice actors for these same characters as well here, and it’s so cool! Naruto holds a special place in my heart and I’m really happy to make one of my dreams come true by meeting the Japanese voice actor for him.
The scheduling also looks great too, here are a few panels I have my eyes on. For Friday and with the convention starting later in the day (a first for me), there are only a couple I want to stop in at – Heartthrobs & Psychosis: The fictional characters who ruined us, the One Piece cosplay meet up, Staying casual and Saying cool: Balancing life and life’s hyperfixations! And lastly, the Ultimate character smash or pass 18+. All of these panels and meet ups look super fun on Friday and I really hope my friend and I are able to stop in at most of them!
Saturday also looks super fun with these panels, Meet the voices behind the global K-pop phenomenon KPop Demon Hunters, Gachiakuta cosplay meet up, co-splay, anime live after dark 18+, Love and Deepspace cosplay meet up. I think I’m most excited for all of Saturday’s events and panels, there is just so much good stuff happening this whole weekend.
Sadly, Sunday I will be flying out and will have less time at the convention, but I am going to try and go to a few more panels. The ones I really want to check out are, Cosplay Fit: Getting in shape for your favorite character, and KPop Demon Hunters cosplay meet up. I had a blast the last time I was at a KPop Demon Hunters meet up back at Anime Expo and I think the one here at LVL UP could be just as fun!
To say the least I am super excited to check out everything that LVL UP Expo has to offer and can’t wait to report to you all how it went! If you happen to be in the area or want to do something a little crazy, as they say what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, fly over and check out LVL UP Expo for yourself! Tickets are still up for grabs here.
Are you going to be at LVL UP Expo 2026 in Las Vegas? If so, what are you looking forward to? Feel free to leave a comment below or chat with us on Threads at @theconventioncollective, or Bluesky at @theconcollective.bsky.social
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