Animate is set to kick off a year-long series of special events celebrating its 40th anniversary, beginning on July 4, 2026. The company credits its journey to the many works, characters, and fans who have supported it over the decades, and plans to roll out a range of in-store and online events as a way of giving back to its customers.
The announced lineup includes a nationwide local stamp design project, an online anime trivia quiz, and several campaigns tied to web services. Additional events are expected to be announced on a rolling basis throughout the anniversary year.
Event Details
1) Let's Make It Together!! Animate Nationwide 47 Prefecture Local Stamps
Animate is inviting fans to submit motif ideas for original stamps representing all 47 prefectures of Japan.
Motif Submission Period: July 4, 2026 – August 2, 2026 (11:59 PM)
Planned Stamp Installation Period: Late December 2026 onwards (tentative)
Locations: Animate stores nationwide
2) 40th Anniversary Animate Quiz!
An online quiz running for roughly six months, open to anyone.
Period: July 4, 2026 – December 26, 2026
Venue: Online quiz page
3) Animate Quiz Champion Showdown! Final Stage
The grand finale of the quiz series will be held live at Animate Ikebukuro Flagship Store.
Date: December 26, 2026, 2:00 PM
Venue: Animate Ikebukuro Flagship Store B2F Animate Theater
MC: Tomokazu Seki, Miki Nagasawa
Guests: Shotaro Morikubo, Kappei Yamaguchi
Content: Final match of the Animate Quiz, guest talk sessions, and more
4) 40th Anniversary "Web Service" Campaigns
[Animate Book Store]
40th Anniversary Lucky Draw for Gift Cards and Points
Period: July 9, 2026 – August 9, 2026
Receive Your Favorite 40 Books!
Period: August 10, 2026 – September 13, 2026
[Pocket Drama CD]
40th Anniversary ¥10,000 Gift Card Giveaway
Period: July 9, 2026 – August 16, 2026
Additional Pocket Drama CD campaigns are also planned.
40th Anniversary Commemorative Illustration by Kazuhiko Shimamoto
A newly drawn illustration of アニメ店長 (Anime Store Manager) — holding blazing flames in the shape of "40" — has been created to celebrate the milestone.
(C) Kazuhiko Shimamoto / MOVIC. Illustration: Kazuhiko Shimamoto
*Event details are subject to change, postponement, or cancellation.
For full details on each event, visit the Animate 40th Anniversary Event Page.
