First held in February 2006, New York Comic Con (NYCC) is the largest pop culture event on the East Coast of the United States. Since 2010, it has been held annually in October at the Javits Center in New York. Unlike the West Coast's largest non-profit event, San Diego Comic Con (SDCC), NYCC is a for-profit event organized by ReedPop, a pop culture event production company. Its exhibition scope also spans comics, movies, animation, games, TV series, toys, and collectibles. Every year, hundreds of thousands of fans and creators gather in New York, making it a highly anticipated annual event for fans worldwide! This time, the Toy People editor was honored to attend on the first day to bring you an on-site guide to NYCC!
Pre-Show Preparation
First, it's important to note that NYCC tickets must be purchased online; they will not be sold on-site, and mobile purchases are not allowed. So, all Toy People planning to attend must pay close attention to the official social media and website announcements for ticket sales. Don't make a wasted trip. Tickets are divided into single-day passes and 4-Day Passes for the entire event, which can be purchased according to your desired dates. Be aware that tickets for Friday to Sunday sell out particularly quickly, so if you plan to go on the weekend, book your tickets as soon as possible – hesitation leads to defeat! After completing your online order, you will receive a confirmation email from the official sender, and you can save your tickets to your phone's wallet!
Additionally, VIP passes are available for $800, offering reserved seating at the two main stages, priority purchase rights for separately ticketed events like autograph and photo sessions, and more. Interested Toy People can consider this option!
Every year, NYCC invites numerous famous actors, voice actors, and comic artists. Fans can get up close with their favorite creators and actors by purchasing separate autograph and photo session tickets. Depending on the celebrity's fame and lineup, prices range from $65 to $270. Tickets are available for purchase online and on-site, with some autograph sessions only available for on-site purchase. Toy People who wish to interact with their favorite celebrities must pay attention to the official website and social media announcements! Also, note that photo session tickets only allow you to take a photo with the celebrity; there won't be long conversations, hugs, or gift-giving interactions, as the process will only last a few seconds. Autograph sessions, however, offer a chance for brief conversations and gift-giving while the celebrity signs. Detailed rules are subject to official announcements, so Toy People can choose according to their needs!
Before heading out, it's recommended to download the official NYCC App and activate your pass in advance. The App will also contain detailed schedules for each stage, an exhibition hall map, and other information, making it your best companion for navigating the show!
On the Day of the Exhibition
On the morning of the opening day, by 8 AM, a large crowd had already gathered outside the Javits Center. Fans dressed as movie, anime, and game characters could be seen everywhere. Throughout the four-day exhibition, you could also occasionally spot enthusiasts in elaborate cosplay costumes on the New York subway and streets, either heading to or leaving the venue!
After entering the Javits Center, staff will guide everyone to the Will Call line. At the counter, after scanning the QR code stored in your phone's wallet and showing your ID, you'll receive your day pass. Present the pass to the staff at the entrance for scanning, and you're in!
The pass is an exquisite lanyard card, and you can pick up a free lanyard from a large bin nearby. The passes for each day have different colors and designs. This year, my media pass featured Frieren, with "Press" written below. Regular tickets will have the date of your purchased ticket in that field.
Inside the Javits Center, you can see various large banners and advertisements. Signs with messages like "Welcome to the one and only New York Comic Con" and "Welcome home, heroes (and villains)" heighten the excitement to the max!
Entry
At 10 AM sharp, with cheers erupting, the venue officially opened its doors to general admission! The entry process was generally quite orderly, with everyone walking briskly to their desired booths, no frantic rushing. There were also many fans using wheelchairs or mobility aids, so everyone should remember to be mindful of their own safety and the safety of other fans when entering.
Upon entering the main exhibition area, you are greeted by a dazzling array of brand booths and displays. Marvel, the famous American retailer Walmart, Japanese film company Toei, Japanese toy brand Tamashii Nations, and major American toy brands are all gathered here! There are also many non-brand booths selling comics, second-hand toy collectibles, and other merchandise!
▼The sheer volume of comics at this booth is truly astonishing!
There are many booths in the main exhibition hall on the third floor, and even a quick browse will take a considerable amount of time. Here, the editor has compiled a small record and guide to some of the booths I visited!
"Toei Animation" Booth
The giant inflatable Gear 5 Luffy above the Toei booth was undoubtedly one of the most eye-catching highlights of the entire venue. The inflatable design perfectly complements Luffy's abilities without any awkwardness, and its massive size is truly impressive! The booth revolved around the "One Piece" theme, featuring multiple large screens playing the latest anime clips and selling various One Piece-themed merchandise from major brands like ONE PIECE Card Game, P.O.P., and S.H.Figuarts!
"Hasbro" Booth
The renowned American toy brand Hasbro divided its booth into two sections: Hasbro for displaying products and Hasbro Pulse, the official store for selling merchandise. The Hasbro section on the left showcased a rich variety of items from popular brands such as Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Marvel Legends. The Hasbro Pulse section on the right offered various convention-exclusive and early-release products!
The biggest highlight of the Hasbro booth was that the display cases in the center, featuring "Tron" and the new movie "Tron: Ares" themes, were empty when I arrived. However, at 12 PM, staff began to unveil and arrange the products right before everyone's eyes! The two display cases showcased the "Tron" themed 3.75-inch action figure collection set, released through the crowdfunding project HasLab for high-priced collectibles, and the "Tron: Ares" themed 6-inch action figures. It was incredibly exciting to witness the unveiling of new products alongside other fans, and I highly recommend that all Toy People visit Hasbro during new product releases!
On the other side, the Marvel Legends display case was also opened after 12:00 PM, and new products announced at the exhibition began to be placed inside. While arranging the display, the on-site staff also answered questions from enthusiastic fans gathered around and even let everyone play with the newly announced items! I was very lucky to be able to physically handle Medusa, the Queen of the Inhumans, on-site!
▼The variety of items on display was incredibly rich and satisfying to see!
▼The convention-exclusive items for early sale were also on display!
"Marvel" Booth
The Marvel booth was designed with a New York rooftop theme and featured its own comic characters, selling various convention-exclusive merchandise such as apparel and pin sets! The queue for the booth was quite long, estimated to be at least 30 minutes. Due to my schedule, I couldn't actually go inside and browse. You can refer to the official booth introduction video to get a feel for the atmosphere!
"Walmart" Booth
The famous American retailer Walmart's booth was divided into three major sections: Hero Universe, Marvel Dome, and Dark Realm, all selling various Walmart-exclusive merchandise. Fans could receive exclusive prize comics by completing mini-games in each area, on a first-come, first-served basis. Consequently, the booth also had long queues, making it difficult for me to even get close!
"MONDO" Booth
The renowned poster design and toy company MONDO showcased various 1/6 and 1/12 scale action figures and soft vinyl toys, previously featured on the Toy People website. They also sold popular movie posters, vinyl records, and even revealed unpainted prototypes of upcoming products! Interested Toy People can also chat with MONDO staff on-site to inquire about new product information on display!
▼Previously featured on the Toy People website, the Clayface and Venom 1/6 scale action figures, the Fly Doctor soft vinyl model, and the Masters of the Universe and Ghostbusters series 1/12 scale action figures were all on display!
▼The unpainted prototypes of the developing "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Leonardo 1/6 scale action figure and "Gargoyles" Goliath were on display, already looking incredibly cool even without color!
▼As expected from MONDO, the posters are truly exquisite!
"NECA" Booth
The renowned American toy brand NECA displayed various action figures previously featured on the Toy People website in glass cases at their booth. A screen above the booth announced convention-exclusive items at designated times, drawing crowds to the front of the booth every time a new announcement was made!
▼The most eye-catching item at the booth was undoubtedly the M3GAN 1:1 scale action figure displayed at the entrance, which caused a stir upon its initial reveal. The level of detail is truly astounding!
▼This year's convention-exclusive item for sale is the Shredder action figure, dressed as a train conductor from the classic 1987 "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" animated series, Season 7, Episode 10, "Turtles on the Orient Express"!
▼Previously featured on the Toy People website, items like the Ghostface and the Jaws 50th Anniversary Edition were all on display!
▼NECA's beloved "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" themed items were also abundant, with recent releases including the 2012 version of the Ninja Turtles, the four new turtles from "The Last Ronin" series, and the Ninja Turtles Halloween costume figures in collaboration with the famous Halloween costume brand Ben Cooper, all making an appearance!
"MEZCO TOYZ" Booth
The American toy brand MEZCO TOYZ's booth was centered around a counter and warehouse-like square, with product displays on all four sides. The highlight was the presence of many out-of-print items, making it incredibly satisfying to see such a complete collection all at once!
The exhibition covered their original series Rumble Society and various licensed character ONE:12 COLLECTIVE series 6-inch action figures, the 18-inch horror doll MDS ROTO PLUSH series, and the 5 Points series 3.75-inch action figures featuring numerous classic IP characters. Both the large glass display cases and the independent diorama display cases were incredibly impressive!
▼The booth featured a free photo booth where you could take pictures with the animated series Batman!
▼Many out-of-print Rumble Society items were gathered, making my heart ache to see them but not be able to acquire them!
▼The ONE:12 COLLECTIVE series was definitely the main attraction of the exhibition, with popular items from recent years all making an appearance!
▼The highly discussed 5 Points series Cartoon Network themed products were also present at the event!
▼The MDS ROTO PLUSH series had its own wall, which was a bit creepy to look at!
"FanHome" Booth
FanHome is a collectible brand launched by the renowned Italian multinational publishing group DeAgostini, dedicated to producing high-quality collectibles related to popular culture such as movies, comics, and games. The brand continues DeAgostini's main business model, offering subscribers a small portion of model parts each month, along with exquisite magazines and instructions, allowing fans to gradually assemble high-quality models!
This time, FanHome's booth showcased a plethora of exquisite models, including the Millennium Falcon, DeLorean Time Machine, Iron Man, the Nissan Skyline GT-R from "Fast & Furious 2," and the Dodge Charger R/T. This allowed subscribers to get a glimpse of the completed works on-site. The sophisticated lighting combined with the high-quality, large-scale models was captivating!
"Tamashii Nations" Booth
Our familiar friend Tamashii Nations also made an appearance, showcasing items from popular brands such as S.H.Figuarts, Figuarts Zero, Proplica, and Metal Robot Spirits! The booth offered a super rich selection of convention-exclusive, Tamashii Web Shop exclusive, and general release products. The queue for purchases was incredibly long, but the route planning was relatively well-organized, with separate paths for the display area and the sales area. Toy People who simply want to admire the extensive displays don't need to worry much about overcrowding!
▼A 1:1 scale Chainsaw Man action figure model was on display, and you could get a small gift badge by taking a photo and checking in!
▼This year's convention sales menu!
"NYCC Exhibition Hall" Official Booth
The official NYCC booth sold a variety of exhibition merchandise, including on-site screen-printed commemorative T-shirts, pins, commemorative dolls, exhibition zines, cups, keychains, and more. The queue was quite substantial; I personally waited over 20 minutes to successfully purchase the souvenirs I wanted. The official booth offered on-site pickup service, so it's recommended that Toy People who wish to buy official merchandise to commemorate their NYCC trip order in advance on the official website to avoid queuing. Additionally, official merchandise will continue to be sold on the NYCC official website until the end of October and shipped in November, but shipping is limited to the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Germany. If you plan to stay in the US for a longer period, you might consider purchasing from the official website after the event ends!
▼The 2025 merchandise combines Halloween and New York elements; that mouse doll is truly so New York!
These are just a few of the booths I specifically noted during my visit! They are merely the tip of the iceberg of the entire main exhibition hall, and there are many more booths worth exploring. The rest is for you, fellow Toy People, to discover on your own!
Artist Alley: Not to be Missed
As the largest comic convention on the East Coast, NYCC also gathers a great number of comic artists every year! Aside from superstars like DC's Chief Creative Officer Jim Lee and McFarlane Toys founder Todd McFarlane, who might require a separate autograph ticket to queue in a designated area, many other talented comic artists set up booths in the Artist Alley on the first floor. They sell original artwork, prints, and personal publications, and offer on-site autograph services!
Many comic artists who have worked on numerous famous titles for Marvel, DC, and more—such as Erik Larsen, Ryan Benjamin, Fabrizio De Tommaso, and Javier Fernandez—were present and enthusiastically interacting with fans!
▼De Tommaso's original artwork is truly stunning!
I was also very honored to meet Ben Bishop, the comic artist for "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin"! To personally meet a favorite comic artist, shake their hand, and have them sign comics and posters is truly a fan's dream come true! If you have a favorite comic artist, be sure to check their booth location and schedule before you go, so you don't miss the chance to interact with them!
The most vexing problem at a comic convention is definitely how to transport purchased posters home! Don't worry, at the entrance of the Artist Alley, a protective sleeve vendor thoughtfully sells hard-shell protective sleeves of various sizes, so you don't have to compromise your beloved posters! I personally tested them, and my posters remained undamaged during the convention and the journey back to Taiwan in my luggage. You can choose according to your needs!
Unmissable "Cosplay"
Another major highlight of NYCC is the abundance of cosplayers dressed as various movie, anime, and game characters. Many fans who aren't fully costumed still wear character-themed accessories while browsing the exhibition, making it a grand event where everyone enjoys character dressing! As long as you ask politely, most cosplayers on-site will generously agree to let fans take photos. However, when taking pictures, please be sure to be courteous. NYCC has warning signs in many places reminding attendees that "Cosplay Is Not Consent," meaning all photography of cosplayers must be with their explicit permission!
▼Lara Croft from "Tomb Raider"
（IG:astartebaby）
▼Cammy from "Street Fighter 6"
（IG:@chenz.18）
▼Cammy from "Street Fighter 2"
（IG:@dani_raine_）
▼Black Cat and Spider-Gwen (Gwen Stacy)
（IG:@abbyandrew.yt／@daphnedaphnedaph）
▼Original character Charizard Ranger
(IG:@latinnerdcosplayer）
▼Thunderbolts
（Left to right IG:@tyler.losee／@greg_grooga／@earthtotorii／@satorujojo3／@insomniacwebslinger／@valxifer）
▼The Spider-People gathered without realizing it!
▼Deadpool also gathered!
▼Jotaro Kujo from "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders Part 3"
▼Caroline from "Coraline"
（IG:@alllie.makeup）
▼2B and Machine Lifeform from "NieR:Automata Ver1.1a"
（IG:@costumerkat）
▼Ada and Leon from "Resident Evil 4"
（IG:@mo11yshen／@stacii_lane）
▼Inosuke Hashibira from "Demon Slayer"
▼The super cool Squidward from "SpongeBob SquarePants"!
（IG:@jesus_aguilar_13）
▼Escanor, the Sin of Pride from "The Seven Deadly Sins," and Patrick Star from "SpongeBob SquarePants" (?)
（IG：@leighton.hardy／@souaiboutamba）
Throughout the venue, you could truly see incredibly impressive costumes, and it was evident that everyone put a lot of thought into their preparations. Many cosplayers even purchased 4-Day Passes to participate and portray different characters for four consecutive days—truly amazing!
Afterword
As a fan who specifically follows NYCC every year, it was truly exhilarating to finally experience it firsthand! Compared to the Taiwanese comic conventions I've attended, NYCC brings together exhibitors from all over the world and is much larger in scale. It was especially exciting to see so many products from American toy brands that are not commonly seen in Asia, all at once!
I personally believe the biggest difference between NYCC and Taiwanese comic conventions is the enthusiastic interaction between staff and fans, creating a much livelier atmosphere overall! Many fellow enthusiasts at the exhibition are very outgoing; passersby would stop to compliment people holding posters or limited-edition items they'd acquired. While browsing exhibits at booths, strangers would gather around to discuss their opinions on the products together. On the subway or street, encountering fellow fans in costume would always be met with generous compliments. The atmosphere of celebrating this grand event together with other fans is truly wonderful!
Beyond the comic convention itself, New York is also a city of immense influence in contemporary culture, boasting countless famous landmarks that have served as filming locations for many renowned films and television shows. It plays an extremely important role in the development of art and humanities, making it well worth the time for attendees to explore in depth!
However, it must be mentioned that attending NYCC, a for-profit comic convention held in New York, one of the most expensive cities in the world, comes with a rather high cost. A basic single-day ticket alone costs $90, and dining in the exhibition hall typically costs around $20 (and it's hard to find a seat). Many photo and autograph opportunities are even more expensive than the ticket itself, not to mention the costs of accommodation and transportation in New York. Therefore, I hope my guide and record from this trip can help future Toy People planning to attend NYCC, allowing everyone to get started faster, avoid unnecessary detours, and have the best experience within a limited time, truly enjoying this world-renowned fan event!
