
At the convention, figurines and other souvenirs related to anime were still abundant, allowing fans to express their affection for various shows by buying merchandise. Despite figures and merchandise playing a significant role in anime promotion, streaming platforms have emerged as a more prominent aspect of the medium. This year at the convention, Netflix announced that more than half of its users watch anime on their service, leading them to prioritize anime content like never before. Hulu has also jumped on board, and Crunchyroll, with its extensive anime offerings, is now competing with larger streamers. Anime Expo isn’t solely about the anime; it’s about which streaming platform offers the most popular anime shows.