# Japanese entertainment and pop culture events

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/japanese-entertainment-and-pop-culture-events
> Updated: 2026-09-05T04:16:37.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Japan has announced several major entertainment and pop culture events scheduled for late 2026 and early 2027.

In the anime and otome sectors, the Animate Girls Festival 2026 is set for November in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro area, featuring collaborations with Ajinomoto AGF. Additionally, the Steins;Gate ANIMATION 15th Anniversary EXHIBITION will move from Tokyo to Osaka’s Rakubasu Hall in October 2026.

Other major upcoming attractions include the Dragon Quest 40th Anniversary exhibition, ‘Dragon Quest the DIVE - To an Unseen Adventure Stage -’, which will be held in Osaka from January to March 2027. In the horror genre, Tokyo Dome City will host ‘Tokyo Horror Special District!! 2026’ in September, featuring guests from the film ‘Gremlins’ and marking the revival of the Tokyo International Fantastic Film Festival.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-05: Japan announces major entertainment events including Dragon Quest exhibition and horror festival

Japan announces major upcoming cultural events, including a Dragon Quest 40th Anniversary exhibition in Osaka for 2027 and a horror-themed festival at Tokyo Dome City in 2026 featuring ‘Gremlins’ creators.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yasumura-and-fujisaki-market-toki-to-host-comedy-game-event

### 2026-09-02: Japan announces upcoming anime festivals and exhibitions

Major Japanese anime events announced: Animate Girls Festival 2026 will take place in Ikebukuro this November, while the Steins;Gate 15th Anniversary Exhibition heads to Osaka in October 2026.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-announces-upcoming-anime-festivals-and-exhibitions

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Cite as: Japanese entertainment and pop culture events. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/japanese-entertainment-and-pop-culture-events