With contests, showcases, open mic sessions, and an extensive library of anime and game soundtracks, J-pop, and more, there’s something for everyone in the Karaoke room!

Belt our your best ballad and sing to your heart's content.

With a library of over 7,000 anime, J-rock, J-pop, and video game related songs, the Karaoke Room is a  great place to stop by during Open Mic to spend time with friends—sing a song, either on stage or with the crowd. Don't know all the lyrics to the song you want to sing? Nearly all the songs in our library include lyrics, and select popular ones have timed lyrics which make it even easier to sing along. Throughout the weekend, the Karaoke Room also hosts a variety of contests and themed sessions.

Browse the song selection

Hours & Locations

Check the schedule for event information or check out the Hours & Maps page for more details.

Karaoke:

Day 1

• Karaoke Contest Preliminaries, 7-10pm, JW Plaza I-III
• Open Mic Karaoke, 12pm-12am, JW Olympic III

Day 2

• Name That Karaoke, 12-2pm, JW Plaza I-III
• Karaoke Contest Semifinals, 7-9pm, JW Plaza I-III
• Karaoke Contest Finals, 9-10pm, JW Plaza I-III
• Open Mic Karaoke, 12pm-12am, JW Olympic III

Day 3

• Acoustikaraoke!, 12-2pm, JW Plaza I-III
• Ultimate Karaoke Fighting Championship, 8pm-12am, JW Plaza I-III
• Open Mic Karaoke, 12pm-12am, JW Olympic III

Day 4

• Open Mic Karaoke, 12pm-4pm, JW Olympic III

Event Descriptions

Information about all the events and contests that take place during Anime Expo in the karaoke room can be found below. More details about when each contest will take place and how to enter can be found on the Karaoke Contest page.

Acoustikaraoke

Have you been remixing your favorite theme song at clubs around town? Got the perfect clarinet arrangement of that Naruto song? Does your band love to cover video game music? Then this is for you! Acoustikaraoke is a chance for musicians of all kinds to show off their talents through instrumental numbers, original arrangements, and ensemble performances.

Karaoke Contest

Bring your A-game for one of our oldest and most popular events! For more than fifteen years, the AX Karaoke Contest has been the proving ground for singers looking to showcase their talent with music from anime and J-pop/J-rock. Whether you're a hardcore contestant or an easygoing first-timer, have fun and sing your heart out in either individual or group categories, or double your pleasure and go for both!

Learn More

Karaoke Gong Show

Snark runs high at the Karaoke Gong Show, where contestants turn convention on its head in an all-out battle to be the worst of the evening! The Karaoke Gong Show is a karaoke-themed skit and comedy performance show where wacky ideas have a place to flower! Contestants strive to outdo one another as a panel of veteran karaoke judges offers scathing and relentless criticism. Participation is not for the faint of heart, but if you can have a good laugh at your own expense, the Karaoke Gong Show is your moment to shine!
Please note: Due to time constraints, we require Karaoke Gong Show participants to provide a brief description of their act with a Senior Karaoke Staffer prior to approval for entry into the contest.
Suggested Audience: 15+; Participation: 18+

Name that Karaoke!

Do you spend more time in the karaoke room at con than anyone else? Do you have an encyclopedic knowledge of anime music? Can you correctly identify the English version of Simple and Clean based on the first four bars played backwards? If you can, or if you'd just like to try, come on down to Name That Karaoke, the Karaoke game show! This event is one where karaoke fans and non-singing music lovers can shine the brightest and use their wits, rather than their voices, to win it all!
Due to the contest formats, signups for this event will be taken at-con.

Ultimate Karaoke Fighting Championship

A grand tradition for Karaoke, participants in the UKFC tournament are given a series of random challenges, ranging from song knowledge and improv skills to quirky and offbeat vocal techniques. A grab-bag approach to thematic challenges makes this a fun and unpredictable event where anyone with a little confidence and versatility can wind up on top.
Due to the contest formats, signups for this event will be taken at-con.