MANILA — The Philippines is emerging as a key growth market for anime-inspired travel, with Trip.com data showing a 155% year-on-year (YoY) increase in searches for anime- and comic-related travel in 2026. The surge reflects broader momentum across Asia, where fans are embarking on anime pilgrimages, or seichi junrei, and driving demand for conventions, themed stays, and screen-inspired destinations.
Trip.com’s latest data shows growing demand for anime- and comic-related travel across Asia, with searches rising 195% YoY. Interest is strongest among travelers from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, the Philippines, and South Korea [1].
Most recently, as the exclusive overseas ticketing partner for one of the largest anime events, AnimeJapan 2026 in Tokyo, Trip.com’s international ticket sales jumped 697% YoY. Travelers came from 82 countries and regions, with the majority from Asian markets including Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Highly popular among Gen Z and Millennials travelers, more than half of ticket buyers were aged between 25 and 34 years old, and over half were males [2].
Dominating Global Streaming Charts: Asia’s Anime Revival
While anime has been around for a long time, social media and online streaming services have propelled it into mainstream audiences. Anime series such as One Piece, Demon Slayer and Naruto have been dominating global streaming charts, attracting fans worldwide.
In fact, a report by Crunchyroll has shown that anime was rated favorably by 54% of Gen Z respondents, beating out popular celebrities like Bad Bunny, BLACKPINK and BTS. Even Formula 1 drivers are caught in the craze, such as Charles Leclerc and his love for Pokémon.
More than a passing trend, reports show that the demand for anime- and comic-related products continues to grow rapidly, especially in Southeast Asia, where there are many young and digitally native consumers. Markets like Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand are home to some of the most engaged fanbases globally.
The Philippines, in particular, has become one of Southeast Asia’s most passionate anime fan communities, fueled by a young, digitally connected population and the rising popularity of streaming platforms and online fan communities. Data from Trip.com shows that searches for anime- and comic-related keywords in the Philippines surged 155% YoY in 2026 compared to 2025 [3].
Reel-life to Real-life Connection: Flying to Anime Conventions and Festivals
For many, anime culture is about being part of a shared community. According to the same report by Crunchyroll, nearly eight in 10 anime fans said that a shared love of the genre has helped them build or deepen friendships. The report also found that fans are more likely to engage with anime by talking about it with friends in person rather than online, making global anime conventions and festivals the perfect opportunity for building connections.
Trip.com’s latest data also points to this growing travel behavior, with hotel bookings within three kilometers of major anime festival venues increasing significantly during event periods [4]. Events such as Hong Kong Comic Con 2026 and Anime Festival Asia Thailand continue to attract strong interest from travelers across Southeast Asia, including the Philippines.
Hong Kong Comic Con 2026, in particular, has gained the attention of overseas fans from Mainland China and Southeast Asia. More than 8 in 10 ticket buyers are Gen Z and Millennials, based on Trip.com ticketing data, underscoring the genre’s popularity with younger travelers. Interestingly, women account for more than 80% of ticket sales, highlighting the genre’s growing appeal among this audience group [5].
In Japan, major manga and anime events such as Comiket are held twice a year and attract a very dedicated fanbase. Odaiba, which will be home to Summer Comiket 2026 in August this year, is seeing a 78% YoY increase in hotel bookings during the event period [6]. Pokémon GO Fest 2026, a 10th anniversary celebration of the popular mobile game in Odaiba, is also trending on Trip.Pulse, Trip.com’s data-powered list of the latest travel trends and hot topics, with over 630,000 views.
Fans are no longer just consuming anime online — they are travelling to experience the worlds of their favorite stories firsthand.
From Events to Immersive Travel Experiences
The influence of anime culture extends beyond event attendance to broader destination travel behavior. Fans are increasingly visiting real-life locations that appear in anime, manga, or related films. Reports have found that 70% of travelers across Asia are inspired to visit destinations based on what they have been watching, while a Japan Tourism Agency survey showed that foreign visitors to places associated with movies and anime increased from 4.6% in 2019 to 7.5% in 2023.
The railway crossing near Kamakura-Koko-mae Station, made famous by the popular basketball manga series Slam Dunk, has not only drawn local crowds but also numerous overseas fans. Akihabara and Ikebukuro, known as meccas for otaku culture, have seen an average YoY increase of 10% in hotel bookings on Trip.com compared to the year before. Interest is primarily driven by travelers from South Korea, Thailand, and Singapore, as well as the Hong Kong and Taiwan regions [7].
Beyond visiting these sites, fans are also seeking a deeper and more immersive cultural experience, from their accommodation to the activities planned on the trip. For example, newly-launched themed glamping rooms at The Farm, a countryside retreat in Japan, invite visitors to step into the fantasy world of Frieren, a popular anime and manga series, through physical photo spots and monuments throughout the campgrounds that recreate memorable scenes.
Universal Studios Japan, one of Trip.com’s top-booked attractions in Asia this year, has also recently collaborated with five blockbuster franchises to bring a variety of anime experiences to visitors. This includes a new, immersive storywalk set in the world of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, and three thrilling attractions based on Detective Conan: The World. Meanwhile, Trip.com offers a variety of curated tours that bring fans on an immersive journey through famous anime and manga sites, such as a Slam Dunk pilgrimage and Kamakura city day tour.
As anime fandom continues to grow, so does its influence on travel, turning stories once experienced on screen into real-world journeys across Asia
