San Diego Comic-Con 2026: What's the Best Anime of All Time? [Video Report]

For the 56th time since 1970, the San Diego Comic-Con International held its annual event celebrating all things pop culture. Running five days from July 22 to July 26 this year, the world famous comic convention played host to over 135,000 attendees. Experts say that SDCC generated an estimated $165,000,000 in economic impact for the region, with about $95,000,000 of that coming from direct spending (source: NBC 7 News). That's a lot of merch shopping!

While I didn't rub shoulders with any of the big name celebrities that came down for Comic-Con (Robert Downey, Jr. will have to keep hoping he meets me), I did get to interview the con's cosplayers - an experience that's just as golden in my book. I conducted yet another brand new experiment that I felt was simple enough for anyone to participate in. Running around the floors in speed-run mode, I asked random cosplayers if they liked to watch anime, and if so, what was their pick as the best anime of all time. The results were fascinating! The interviews have been divided into two separate videos below for your viewing pleasure.

BGM Info:
Track 1: Warfare Blockbuster Trailer Logo - Crypt-of-Insomnia
Track 2: Cinematic Heroic Music - MikeStown
Tracklist posted by Melodic Mood on YouTube
https://youtu.be/pHcI6seQPz0

The majority of interviewees on Day 1 said that they watched anime, with the #1 choice for best anime of all time going to One Piece! Meanwhile, it seemed like the majority of cosplayers I spoke to on Day 2 didn't watch anime. It felt like an even split!

On Day 4, I was also able to interview cosplayers in the famous Gaslamp Quarter district next to the convention. Footage from those interviews will be available for Tokyo Otaku Mode Premium Members in August's Insider Report article next month, along with some of my favorite photos from Comic-Con!

As always, special thanks to all the cosplayers that I interviewed!

This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article by Sean Cardeno. Videography assistance by Jamie Fandialan.