Hentai Matsuri 2026 — San Diego

Three days of programming the mainstream anime circuit won't run. Hentai Matsuri returns to the Handlery Hotel in San Diego's Mission Valley for panels, cosplay, a vendor hall, and more — June 12–14, 2026.

Hentai Matsuri is a deliberately adult-oriented anime and pop culture convention that leans into the parts of anime fandom that other conventions treat as secondary — mature art, doujinshi culture, cosplay without content restrictions, and creator-forward panel programming. The convention has built a loyal following in the Southern California anime community over multiple editions: repeat attendees recognize the crowd, and the crowd recognizes itself.

Date: Friday June 12 – Sunday June 14, 2026
Venue: Handlery Hotel San Diego, 950 Hotel Circle North, Mission Valley, San Diego, CA 92108
Age Restriction: 18+ (valid government ID required for entry)
Tickets: Available at eventbrite.com — three-day passes and individual day badges.

Panels cover: creator meetups, figure collecting, adult animation industry, fan art culture, and cosplay-adjacent programming. The vendor hall leans toward independent artists, doujinshi creators, and specialty merchandise you won't find at larger general-audience cons. The convention floor operates on a schedule; the hotel lobby runs on a different clock.

If you've maxed out Anime Expo and want something smaller, more focused, and unfiltered — Hentai Matsuri is the room. Adults only; expect the crowd to know exactly why they're there.