Sugoi Expo 2025 lands September 19–21 at the Hilton Orlando, and of course Florida Comic Cons will be there! Sugio Expo promises one of Orlando’s most immersive weekends of anime, cosplay, and Japanese pop culture. Expect a nice con vibe with stacked programming, special guests, and unforgettable fan moments. Whether you’re there for cosplay, panels, or just soaking up the Japanese culture energy. Here are Florida Comic Cons’ 5 reasons to attend Sugoi Expo 2025.
reason #1: Great Guests
Sugio Expo isn’t the only thing on the rise this year! With K-pop blasting into first place everywhere you look and Sonic fans sprinting for the head of every cons event schedule, it’s no surprise Sugio Expo has decided on hosting a Sonic the Hedgehog reunion (Sunday), where you can meet the voices behind your favorite blue blur and all his friends. On top of that, Japanese Kpop music star Asaka will be performing live, bringing anime openings and J-pop energy that could revive the Hunmoon! It’s a one-two punch of nostalgia and fresh vibes you won’t want to miss! And that’s just the tip of the iceberg, the guest list is long and the events just keep coming!
reason #2: Cosplay Contest
It’s a masquerade cosplay contest! Sugio expo takes it to the next step, maybe two steps, with it’s cosplay masquerade. No masks required, (though we wouldn’t stop you from going full Phantom of the Opera if you wanted ). Cosplayers of any skill level get a chance at the spotlight in this showcase of creativity, craftmanship and performance. With three major categories, the contest offers options for those hand-crafting their cosplays as well as the store bought costumes. Got a youngster who wants to start on their cosplay journey? Sugio Expo has something for them too! With the youth category for anyone 13 and under! Here are the contest rules.
reason #3: Pool Party
reason #4: AMV Contest
reason 5: Chance To participate in the best cosplay we see competition
Florida Comic Cons will be hosting our fan-favorite “Best Cosplay We See!” competition all weekend. We roam the con, scouting amazing cosplays in real time — no stage or sign-up required. It’s a chance for cosplayers to shine (especially introverts who don’t want to walk the stage!), and all finalists get featured in an FCC blog. Winners receive convention tickets to events like Anime St. Pete.
if you like Sugio Expo, we recommend anime st pete
Anime St. Pete 2025 is a two-day celebration of anime, cosplay, gaming, and fandom held at the historic St. Petersburg Coliseum on September 27–28. The event features 6 big-name voice actors, epic main stage contests, a curated vendor hall, and a vibrant cosplay community. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the scene, ASP25 delivers high-energy entertainment, unforgettable photo ops, and creative experiences — making it a must-attend anime event! Learn more below about the franchise celebrations and contests (applications are open for cosplay and lip sync till Sept. 15) as well as ticket deals that make the event affordable (see below). And don’t forget free parking, making this event affordable.
Pokemon
Get ready, Trainers — ASP25 is going all-in on Pokémon with a major celebration that includes voice actors, fan panels, and lots of franchise merch. Nearly 100 Pokémon characters voiced by 2 voice actor legends, and signature-ready Funko Pops make this the ultimate signing experience! And yes — several of the characters they voice have official Funko Pops, making this a signature collector’s dream.
Kaiju No. 8
Kaiju No. 8 has exploded onto the anime scene with its mix of high-octane monster battles and down-to-earth characters, and ASP25 is bringing the series to life with two of its English-dub stars. Together, these actors cover fan-favorite roles that anchor the new hit’s story—from frontline fighters to tactical support. Meet the voices behind major characters like Kaiju No. 10, Konomi Okonogi and Iharu Furuhashi.
That time I got reincarnated as a slime
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is one of anime’s most popular modern isekai, with its blend of monster evolution, fantasy politics, and heartwarming alliances drawing in fans around the world. At ASP25, we’re celebrating the series with two voice actors who help bring depth and dimension to Rimuru’s ever-growing circle of allies. Meet the voices of Ranga and Aslan!
contest & panel applications open
Applications for contests and panels are open till Sept. 15. And ASP25 treats its accepted contestants and panel hosts really well- 1 free weekend ticket plus 1 dessert ticket as our ty for joining in! Info and applications available for Craftsmanship Cosplay Contest, Novice Craftsmanship Cosplay Contest, Lip Sync Competition, and Panels. Signup for Video Game Tournament at the event on Saturday by noon, and for Runway Cosplay Contest on Sunday by noon.
ticket deals that make this an easy-to-attend con
Tickets start at $20. And grab a bundle deal to add St. Pete Comic Con on February 28-March 1 for one low price (it’s 2 cons for the price of 1). Buy tickets before the eventand you’re automatically entered into weekly drawings for autographed anime voice actor merch. And don’t forget the new Fandom Shopping Rewards where you can earn free con tickets with your vendor purchases. Learn more on each below.
