BART Station To Host An Anime-tastic Event

FREMONT, CA — An anime event will take place at a unique location on Saturday: at a BART station.

The inaugural “Let’s Glow! BART Anime Festival” will get underway from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Warm Springs/South Fremont station plaza. The free, all-ages event will feature an “artist alley” with anime- and transit-inspired artworks and games; a Railgoods pop-up shop; fan club and community tables; free wotagei lessons; decorations; live DJs; anime-inspired cars and scooters; and food and boba stands.

“The BART Anime Project, from which the festival stems, has been a great way for us to engage with young people and encourage them to ride BART," said Chris Filippi, a BART spokesperson. “These young riders are essential to the future of public transit.”

The project includes anime mascots, which were introduced in 2023, following an open call for California-based artists to submit their ideas. After receiving close to 500 submissions, BART officials said they selected several artists "to conceptualize and create" the mascots, who are now BART's "friendly and approachable avatars."

“Nearly half of Gen Z in the United States – a growing and reliable ridership demographic – watches anime,” Filippi said. “A critical part of engaging with young riders is to meet them where they are at and build connections through their own interests.”

The BART- and Bay Area-themed anime mascots will have a presence at “Let's Glow” on displays and merchandise and via boba drink offerings.

The first 50 people who arrive at the event by BART on Saturday will get a free “Let’s Glow” light stick, according to BART staff. Look for anime mascot Mira by the station agent booth for the light stick giveaway.

A limited number of “Let’s Glow” light sticks will also be sold at the event, officials said.

To R.S.V.P. to this free event, go here.