Autographs

Please read this page carefully to find out how to get an autograph from guests at Anime Expo. However, please note that this policy does NOT necessarily apply to Industry Guests. Industry Guests are listed under the “Industry Appearances” tab on the Guest page.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Industry Appearance autograph sessions are not always managed or organized by Anime Expo. You will need to visit the guest’s respective booth, social media channels, and/or company website for more information about the relevant policies and procedures. You may also view the Autograph Schedule for information on how to obtain tickets.

How to Get an Autograph from a Guest at Anime Expo

  • Check the Autograph Schedule

    You will need to know when the autograph session will take place in order to know when you need to line up to get the respective autograph ticket. Guests and Industry Appearances may have 1-6 autograph sessions throughout the weekend.

     

  • Get an Autograph Ticket

    The line for the Autograph Ticket Booth will start in Gilbert Lindsay Plaza outside of the Los Angeles Convention Center (next to Registration/Ticketing, in front of West Hall). Look for the purple Autograph Ticketing tent.

    • This starts as one single line which will split into six lines and signs will be posted on the booths to indicate which one is for which booth.
    • If you’re unsure about where and how to line up, don’t hesitate to ask an AX Access Control Volunteer. (They can be identified by their red vests.)
    • Tickets are distributed only for the autograph sessions scheduled on the same day.
      • Ticket Distribution Hours
        • Days 1-3: TBA
        • Day 4: TBA
    • For each session, a maximum of 75 Priority Tickets will be issued first, followed by 50 Standby Tickets.
      •  Standby ticket holders are not guaranteed autographs but will have a chance to receive autographs at the discretion of the Guest of Honor(s) and Industry Guests they are waiting for.
    • Please be aware that due to high demand for guest autographs, the line for autographs can start very early.
  • The Autograph Session

    Be sure to bring an item to be signed.

    • Attendees are responsible for providing their own items to be signed. All items are subject to the guest’s approval*. Some guests may provide an item such as a poster to be signed, but this is not guaranteed.
    • All items must be properly licensed, and it is recommended that the item is from a project that the guest has worked on.
    • Rules and restrictions on what will or will not be signed are subject to change so please be sure to have your item checked by Autograph Staff prior to any session. Attendees are recommended to bring at least one backup item in case their item of choice cannot be signed.

    Head over to the Autograph Area in Kentia Hall.

    • Please refer to the Autograph Ticket to find out which booth/table the session will take place in.
    • Lines start 30 minutes prior to each session.

    If you have a:

    • Priority Ticket: The number printed on a Priority Ticket does not correspond to your place in line.
    • Standby Ticket: Standby ticketholders must line up numerically in their designated area behind the guaranteed ticketholders of the same session. Numbers are listed on each ticket.

Autograph Ticket Info

  • All autograph sessions hosted by AX require an autograph ticket.
  • Tickets are limited to one per person per session and are distributed on a first come, first serve basis.
  • One autograph ticket will grant each attendee only one autograph. Only one autograph ticket may be redeemed per person per session.
  • Tickets are only valid for the session printed on the ticket.
There are two types of tickets:
  • Priority: These tickets are guaranteed* an autograph from the respective guest at the session printed on the ticket.
  • Standby: Standby ticket holders are not guaranteed autographs but will have a chance to receive autographs at the discretion of the Guest of Honor(s) they are waiting for.

What is the procedure for attendees represented by the ADA and their helper(s) and what is the procedure if an ADA attendee does not have a helper?

Attendees represented by ADA must have an ADA sticker which can be picked up at any Info Services Booth. See sections marked in RED for procedures if the ADA attendee does not have a helper.

During Ticketing:

ADA attendees and one helper* both need a ticket for each autograph session they attend, whether they get a Priority ticket or a Standby one (see next section). ADA attendees must wait in the general attendee line, to keep fairness of the first come, first served policy. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE. If the ADA attendee for any reason cannot wait in line to get a ticket, we will have a volunteer on standby to act as a proxy to wait in line for them with the ADA attendee’s helper. (If available)

*ADA attendees are not required to have a helper with them.

During Session:

Priority tickets: ADA attendees with priority tickets are allowed front-of-line access due to time constraints of each session. It is recommended that ADA attendees with Priority tickets should show up about 15 minutes before the start of the session as they cannot show up during the session to take advantage of front-of-line access. ADA attendees are limited to have one helper accompanying them when taking advantage of front-of-line access. Once a session begins, Priority ticket holders have to be in line when the session starts.

Standby tickets: For Standby tickets, it will be the same procedure as waiting in line. ADA attendees with Standby tickets are not guaranteed front-of-line access as the ticket lines are organized numerically for fairness. This is subject to change on a case-by-case basis due to autograph session traffic. ADA attendees with Standby tickets should arrive when the desired autograph session is halfway done as that will be the time when the organization of the standby line is well underway. A proxy will be provided for an ADA attendee with a Standby ticket should he/she would like one for any reason (if available).

Please contact an Autographs Staff Volunteer to for ADA assistance!

Who are Guests of Honor (GoHs)? 

GoHs are guests who have been invited to participate in Anime Expo! 

What is needed to get an autograph from a Guest of Honor?

All GoH signing sessions require a ticket that will be dispersed at the Autograph Ticket Booth in Gilbert Lindsay Plaza.

How do I get a ticket for a Guest of Honor autograph session?

A pre-set number of tickets for each GoH signing session will be made available at no additional cost at the Autograph Ticket Booth on the same day as the scheduled session.

When will tickets be distributed?

Tickets will start being distributed at 8am each day, only for the autograph sessions scheduled on the same day. The schedule for each GoH distribution will be available onsite at the Autograph Ticket Booth and online.

How many tickets will be distributed?

We are limited to 75 autograph tickets per session. After the guaranteed tickets are distributed, 50 Standby Tickets will be issued.

What are standby tickets?

Standby tickets grant you access to the waitlist for autographs and are subject to GoH’s availability.

Standby tickets ARE NOT a guarantee that you will receive an autograph.

Where can I get a standby ticket?

Standby Tickets are only issued at the Autograph Ticket Booth and will be issued in sequential order. The number printed on each ticket indicates your position in the standby line.

How many tickets can I get?

Tickets are limited to one per person and are distributed on a first come, first served basis.

How many autographs can I get per session?

One autograph ticket will grant each attendee only one autograph. Only one autograph ticket may be redeemed per person.

What information will be on the ticket?

Each ticket will list the GoH name, time, date, and location of the session.

If I miss the autograph session, can I use the ticket for another session?

No, tickets are valid only for the session printed on the ticket.

Do I have to have a ticket to get an autograph?

All autograph sessions will require a respective ticket; no substitutions will be made.

How do I redeem my ticket?

All Autograph tickets will state the date, time and location of the session.

When can I start lining up for the autograph session?

Lines will start 15 minutes prior to each session.

What can be signed?

Attendees are responsible for providing their own items to be signed. All items are subject to Guest’s approval*. All items must be properly licensed.

Rules and restrictions on what will or will not be signed are subject to change so please be sure to have your item checked by Autograph Staff prior to any session. Attendees are recommended to bring at least one backup item in case their item of choice cannot be signed.

*It is also recommended that all items are from a project the GoH has worked on.

 

Autograph sessions are subject to change or cancellation at any time without notice. Only autograph tickets labeled for a Guest of Honor’s signing session are eligible to receive an autograph at a Guest of Honor’s scheduled signing session.

If you have questions about the autograph session or policy, please ask an Autograph Staff member at the Autograph Ticket Booth.

Are Guest of Honor, Premium Industry, and Standard Industry Autograph Sessions the same?

  • They are not the same. Guest of Honor Autograph Sessions are complimentary autograph signings held by invited guests. Premium Industry Autograph Sessions are signings where attendees must pay for an autograph. Standard Industry Autograph Sessions are complimentary autographs where additional autographs or merchandise may be available for purchase. 

Is ticketing for each autograph session in the same location as the sessions themselves?

  • No, the Autograph Ticketing Booths are located in Gilbert Lindsay Plaza while the Autograph sessions themselves take place in Kentia Hall.

Where can I wait to get into the Autographs Ticketing Booth before 8AM (the time when the ticketing session starts)?

  • You can wait right at Gilbert Lindsay Plaza forming lines immediately against the convention center wall. Please do not hesitate to ask any nearby Access Control Staff Volunteers (someone wearing a red vest) on how the ticketing line should be properly organized. Your place for ticketing starts at Gilbert Lindsay Plaza!

How can I get to the Autographs Ticketing Booths once I’m at LACC?

  • All autographs ticketing (both priority and standby) will take place in booths outside at Gilbert Lindsay Plaza.

When does ticketing start and end?

  • Ticketing starts at 8AM and promptly ends at 4PM Days 1-3, and 8AM to 12PM on Day 4. Please be on time!

What’s the difference between Guarantee/Priority and Standby tickets?

  • 75 Guaranteed tickets are issued first, following 50 standby tickets for each autograph session. Both guaranteed and standby tickets are first come, first served.

Guarantee/Priority Tickets

  • Guarantee/Priority ticket holders are guaranteed an autograph from the guest labeled on the ticket at the specified time also printed on the ticket.
  • There is a maximum of 75 guaranteed tickets. Ticket numbers may vary per session. 
  •  The number issued on guaranteed tickets does not correlate with a guaranteed ticket holder’s place in line. Everyone with a guaranteed ticket will be able to receive a signature from the guest labeled on their ticket no matter where they are placed in the guaranteed line.

Standby 

  • Standby ticket holders are not guaranteed autographs but will have a chance to receive autographs at the discretion of the Guest of Honor or Industry talent they are waiting for.
  • There are 50 standby tickets.
  • Standby ticket holders must line up numerically in their designated area behind the guaranteed ticketholders of the same session. Numbers are listed on each ticket.

What’s the procedure for guests represented by the ADA and their helper(s)? What’s the procedure if an ADA guest does not have a helper?

  • ADA attendees and one helper each need a ticket for each autograph session they attend, whether they get a guarantee or standby ticket. If the ADA attendee for any reason cannot wait in line to get a ticket, we will have a volunteer on standby to act as a proxy to wait in line for them with the ADA attendee’s helper.
  • ADA attendees do not need to have a helper with them. If they have two or more helpers, they are limited to have one go to the front with them for Guaranteed tickets. For standby tickets, it will be the same procedure for waiting in line.
  • Once a session begins, guaranteed ticket holders must be in line when the session starts. For standby ticket holders, they can come during the session and line up in numerical order in a designated area away from the guaranteed ticket line.
  • Guaranteed tickets are allowed front of line access due to time constraints of each session. ADA attendees with guaranteed tickets should show up about 15 minutes before the session; their front of the line access will be better organized if they arrive at one designated time rather than periodically.
  • Standby tickets are not guaranteed front of line access as the ticket lines are organized numerically for fairness, but this can be changed due to autograph session traffic. ADA attendees with standby tickets should arrive when the desired autograph session is halfway done as that will be the time when the organization of the standby line is well underway. However, a proxy will be provided for an ADA attendee with a standby ticket should they like one for any reason.
    • Please contact an Autograph staff volunteer  for ADA assistance!

How do I get to the Autographs sessions since it’s not in the same place as ticketing?

Autograph Sessions take place in Kentia Hall in the area under the banner labeled “Autographs”. After entering the hall, please make your way to the back right of the hall and follow signs to the designated Autographs area entrance to be ushered into the area by an Autographs Staff Volunteer.

Important Notes

Autograph sessions are subject to change or cancellation at any time without notice. Autograph tickets of any kind only denote eligibility to receive an autograph at the specified Guest of Honor’s and Industry Guest's scheduled signing session.

If you have questions about the autograph session or policy, please ask an AX Autographs Volunteer at the Autograph Ticket Booth, located in Gilbert Lindsey Plaza outside of the Los Angeles Convention Center (Purple Tent “AX Autograph Ticketing”).

*As long as there are no extraordinary circumstances such as natural or man-made disaster, illness, or giant robot attacks that prevent the Guests from holding an autograph session.

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