AX26 Autographs - Yoshitaka Amano

Autographs for Guests at Anime Expo (AX) are FREE and will be given out on a lottery basis. Please use the   APPLY NOW  button on the right to submit your entry for a spot in the signing session! The application will open on April 8th at 12:00 PM PST and close on April 30th at 11:59 PM PST.

ABOUT YOSHITAKA AMANO

Yoshitaka Amano, born in 1952 in Shizuoka City, is an artist, character designer, and illustrator. He joined Tatsunoko Production in 1967, contributing character designs to series such as Time Bokan. He made his debut as an illustrator in 1982, and in 1987 created the iconic character designs for Final Fantasy. Around the same period, he illustrated works including Vampire Hunter D and Guin Saga. From the mid-1990s, Amano worked between Paris and New York, and in 1997 held the large-scale solo exhibition THINK LIKE AMANO in New York. His recent international appearances include Lucca Comics & Games 2024 in Italy and Alem de Fantasia in Brazil in 2025 and 2026. His awards include multiple Seiun Awards (1983–86, 2007), the Eisner, Dragon Con, and Julie Awards in 2000, and the Inkpot Award in 2018.

SIGNING SESSION DETAILS

Guest Autograph session dates are tentative and subject to change; lottery winners will be able to select the exact session date and time based on availability. While your spot is guaranteed, session times are first-come first-serve. 

Dates & Times:

• Day 1 (Thursday, July 2nd) - 3:00 PM


• Day 3 (Saturday, July 4th) - 10:30 AM

Location: JW Marriott Gold Ballroom

Items Eligible for Signature: SPJA provided shikishi board, official merchandise (T-shirts, games, art books, etc) related to Yoshitaka Amano’s works, Anime Expo program guide & credential, personal shikishi board, and fan-art.

AUTOGRAPH POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Prior to applying, please read the full anime expo policy listed here: https://www.anime-expo.org/legal/    

FAQ

What is the difference between Industry Appearances and Guests?

• Guests are supported and brought out by Anime Expo. As such, activities such as panels and autograph session are coordinated by Anime Expo.


• Industry Appearances are supported primarily by a company host. As such, activities such as panels and autograph sessions are coordinated by the company host or by the talent themselves and not Anime Expo. Autograph session procedures vary greatly. They are all subject to the respective individual, management, and/or company host.

If I'm selected for the lottery, am I guaranteed a spot?

• For approved applicants, while your spot is guaranteed, session times are first-come first-serve. Before lottery results are sent out, a social media announcement (Instagram Story) will be made 24 - 48 hours priors to release. Please be sure to check the official Anime Expo Instagram in the weeks after the application closes.
  
  
  
  • Official Anime Expo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animeexpo/
  
  
  
  

Guest Lottery Application Policy

Guests autographs will be handled via a lottery process. There are two (2) ticket types: Priority and Standby. To be eligible for either type, you must submit a lottery application. You will only be eligble to win a Priority or Standby ticket for the respective guests whose lottery you applied for. You cannot win tickets for guests who you did not submit a lottery application.

You must have a VALID Anime Expo credential to apply for the Guest lottery and attend the signing session. If you haven't registered yet, please use the following link to purchase a credential: https://www.showclix.com/event/ax26-gen-reg_scx26r01

• Your NAME must be assigned to a credential. If you purchased credentials for anyone other than yourself, please make sure you transfer each credential to the designated credential holder. If your credential was purchased by someone else, please ensure your credential is transferred to you AND accepted by you prior to applying. Please confirm the Showclix order confirmation number with the buyer. If SPJA cannot confirm that you are an attendee with a valid credential registered under your name, your entry will be rejected.
  
  
  
  • Instructions on how to transfer credentials can be found here.
  
  
  
  


• Each Guest will have their own lottery application. You may apply for as many Guests' applications as you wish but may only submit one (1) entry for each Guest. Once the lottery application is closed it will not reopen. Please keep an eye on Anime Expo official social media channels for all announcements.


• All duplicate entires submitted under the same name and information for the same Guest will automatically be flagged as invaild and rejected from the drawing.


• You are eligible to win up to one (1) ticket per Guest, but not multiple tickets for a single Guest. All Guest tickets are non-transferable or exchangeable. You may not win a priority and standby ticketing for a single Guest.


• Only one (1) signature will be given per selected application. Additional signatures will not be given to adults accompanying a minor or helpers accompanying ADA attendees.


• The name of the successful lottery applicant and the name of the autograph ticket holder must match. Successful applicants must bring a government issued photo ID for onsite verification. If the name on the ID does NOT match the lottery winner's name, then you will be denied entry to participate in the signing session.


• Lottery winners will receive a link to confirm their spot by reserving a free ticket. When they reserve their ticket, they will be able to select the session time that works best for their schedule. Further instructions will be provided in the confirmation email.

Standby

Those not selected as a Priority ticket holder may be selected for Standby. Those selected for Standby are not guaranteed a signature, only the chance of receiving an autograph in the case a Priority ticket holder does not show. Only those who receive a Standby email will be able to line up for Standby.

Exact instructions will be provided in the Standby selection email.

• To be eligible for Standby you must submit a lottery application. You are only eligible to receive a Standby spot for the Guest's lottery application you applied for.


• You are eligible to win one (1) Standby spot per guest.


• Only one (1) signature is given per individual selected for Standby. Additional signatures will not be given to adults accompanying a minor or helpers accompanying ADA attendees.


• Those selected for Standby must bring a government issued photo ID for onsite verification. If your name does NOT match the name of individual selected for Standby, then you will be denied entry to participate in the signing session. Standby spots are non-transferable or exchangeable.

Minor Participants (Guest Lottery)

• For minors aged 13 and under, the entry should be submitted under the name of the registered adult or guardian who will be attending Anime Expo with them.  The Child credential for the minor should appear on the same ShowClix order as the adult/guardian for verification of participation. If the Child credential is on another order, please include both ShowClix confirmation order numbers on the application.


• For minors age 14-17, if the minor does NOT have a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license or state ID), then the entry must be submitted under the name of the registered adult or guardian who will be attending Anime Expo with them and can escort them during the signing session. The Child credential for the minor should appear on the same ShowClix order as the adult/guardian for verification of participation. If the Child credential is on another order, please include both ShowClix confirmation order numbers on the application.
  
  
  
  • For minors aged 14-17 who DO have a valid photo ID, they may apply for the lottery application under their own name and attend the session by themselves.  
  
  
  
  


• Adults attending the session with the minor, if selected as a winner, will be required to provide a valid government-issued photo ID at the door during check-in and the name on the ID MUST match the name registered to a valid AX credential. Additionally, they must accompany the minor during the signing session.


• Adults accompanying a minor will not receive a signature.  

ADA Procedures (Guest Lottery)

All ADA attendees may be accompanied by one (1) helper. The helper does not need an Autograph ticket but does need a valid Anime Expo credential. The helper should remain with the ADA attendee throughout the entire Autograph process to minimize confusion for staff in the area. You must have a valid ADA sticker on your credential to receive accommodation. The helper must also have a valid ADA Helper sticker. 

• ADA/Helper attendees must arrive 30 minutes before their reserved autograph session starts to receive proper accommodation.


• During check-in, please present your credential with a valid ADA/Helper sticker and inform the staff of what session you have purchased. 


• Please follow staff instructions for the next steps.

NOTE: ADA/Helper attendees are not automatically granted "front of the line access." ADA Helpers accompanying an ADA attendee will not receive a signature.

Guest Onsite Policy and Procedures

• Line queuing begins 30 minutes before the start of the session.


• Priority ticket holder check-in will begin 15 minutes before the start of the session and end 15 minutes after the session begins. Do not be late.
  
  
  
  • Ex. If the session starts at 11:00 AM, check-in will be from 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM.
  
  
  
  


• Any Priority ticket holders that arrive after the check-in time are not guaranteed their spot.

If you are having issues with your application, please contact: [email protected] 

If you have any questions regarding any autograph policy or procedures, please contact: [email protected]