Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Anime Expo 2023 Update: TOKYOPOP, Netflix, HIDIVE & Crunchyroll

Here's the latest info on Anime Expo. Holy Cow! I think AX is coming back with a vengeance after covid. This is just a huge list of panels and booths to check out. I say start making your plans for what you want to line-up for now.

Looking below, I know, I'm looking forward to hearing about Pluto from Netflix and Spy x Family, Hell's Paradise and of course, whatever has the name Undead Murder Farce all from Crunchyroll. Dark Gathering from HIDIVE as some great looking art.

So, go through this listings of panels and booths below and try not having a seizure with everything Crunchyroll is doing.


TOKYOPOP AX 2023 Panels:
Noir Caesar: Powered by TOKYOPOP
Monday, July 3rd at 3:00pm-4:30pm
Panel Room: 404
Founded by former NBA player and self-proclaimed “Blerd,” Johnny O'Bryant III, Noir Caesar is a Black owned and operated manga company, with stories made by fans for fans. Join us for a conversation about the importance of representation and diversity in manga and anime and learn about some of their newest titles, which are distributed by TOKYOPOP. Panel to be moderated by manga, webtoon and Age of Darkness comic series creator Brandan Chen.
 
LoveLove: Powered by TOKYOPOP
Tuesday, July 4th at 2:00pm-3:30pm
Panel Room: 408
LoveLove is an all-inclusive romance publishing imprint that releases a diverse catalog of shojo, josei, girls love, boys love manga and graphic novel titles. Pop culture is more inclusive than ever, and stories with special appeal to straight, LGBTQ, male and female readers are attracting legions of new readers. Come join LoveLove’s editorial team to find out what's new, what's coming soon, and join our Q&A session and offer your suggestions for future releases!

TOKYOPOP Booth #1615

Be sure to stop by the TOKYOPOP booth located in the main exhibit hall for a variety of fun activities and special show premiums. Meet the TOKYOPOP editorial team to answer your questions and catch special guests in person at the booth including Noir Caesar founder and former NBA player, Johnny O’Bryant III. Spin the prize wheel to win exclusive LoveLove merchandise, enter to win TOKYOPOP manga and swag bundles at two daily drawings, pick up free manga samples of new titles, and take advantage of special at-show discount codes for 30% off and free shipping on all orders placed by con-goers via the TOKYOPOP website during AX.
 
 
See What’s Next @ Netflix during their ‘From Japan to the World’ presentation!
 
Date: Saturday, July 1st
Time: 3:15 PM
Room: Main Events
 
See What’s Next @ Netflix during their ‘From Japan to the World’ presentation. Get ready for an exciting glimpse into all-new anime & live-action adaptations from Japan and the U.S. and join some of the biggest stars including Eiji Akaso & Kotaro Takata, Masao Maruyama, Special Guest Non and more, as they will talk about exciting new projects like BEASTARS FINAL SEASON, PLUTO, Pokémon Concierge, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead and more surprises! ***This room will NOT be cleared prior to this panel. This room will NOT be cleared after this panel.***
 
 much more after the jump


HIDIVE Anime Expo 2023 Programming Schedule
(as of 06/12/23; All times listed are Pacific)

Saturday, July 1, 2023

10:00 am – 6:00 pm

L.A. Convention Center

South Lobby

SF13

HIDIVE Exhibit Booth

Visit the HIDIVE exhibit booth daily for a variety of promotional giveaways including posters and free trial subscription code.

12:15 pm – 1:15 pm

L.A. Convention Center

Main Events Hall

 

 

The Eminence in Shadow 2nd Season World Premiere (Subtitled)

Join HIDIVE and Kadokawa for the English subtitled world premiere of Episode 1 from the highly anticipated second season of The Eminence in Shadow, the popular fantasy/action isekai series scheduled to debut this October.

§  Q&A with special guest Seiichiro Yamashita (voice of Cid/Shadow).

§  Sample copy of the English version of The Eminence in Shadow manga provided to all guests. Courtesy of Yen Press.

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

JW Marriott

Platinum Ballroom

 

Helck North American Premiere

Join HIDIVE for the English subtitled North American premiere of Episodes 1 & 2 of Helck, the new action-fantasy series set to debut this summer.

5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

L.A. Convention Center

Room 403

 

 

HIDIVE Industry Panel plus Level 1 Demon Lord and One Room Hero U.S. Premiere

Join hosts Star Butler and Jacki Jing as they share all the latest HIDIVE news and special content for Anime Expo, including the English subtitled U.S. premiere of Level 1 Demon Lord and One Room Hero, a new comedy-fantasy series from Kadokawa debuting this summer.


Sunday, July 2, 2023

10:00 am – 6:00 pm

L.A. Convention Center

South Lobby

SF13

HIDIVE Exhibit Booth

Visit the HIDIVE exhibit booth daily for a variety of promotional giveaways including posters and free trial subscription code.

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

L.A. Convention Center

Room 403

 

 

The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: from Villainess to Savior
North American Premiere

Join HIDIVE and MBS for the English subtitled North American premiere of The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: from Villainess to Savior, the new fantasy-romance isekai series debuting in July.

Monday, July 3, 2023

 

10:00 am – 6:00 pm

L.A. Convention Center

South Lobby

SF13

HIDIVE Exhibit Booth

Visit the HIDIVE exhibit booth daily for a variety of promotional giveaways including posters and free trial subscription code.

8:30 pm – 9:30 pm

L.A. Convention Center

Room 403

Dark Gathering North American Premiere

Join HIDIVE and Pony Canyon for the English subtitled North American premiere of Episodes 1 & 2 of Dark Gathering, the newly acquired horror anime series set to debut during the summer simulcast season.

Tuesday, July 4, 2023

10:00 am – 3:00 pm

L.A. Convention Center

South Lobby

SF13

HIDIVE Exhibit Booth

Visit the HIDIVE exhibit booth daily for a variety of promotional giveaways including posters and free trial subscription code.

11:00 am – 12:00 pm

L.A. Convention Center

Petree Hall

 

 

The Eminence in Shadow 2nd Season World Premiere (Dub)

Join HIDIVE and Kadokawa for the English dub world premiere of Episode 1 from the highly anticipated second season of The Eminence in Shadow, the popular fantasy/action isekai series that will debut this October.

§  Q&A with special guests Adam Gibbs (voice of Cid/Shadow) and Christina Kelly (voice of Alpha)



Crunchyroll:
 
Holy Hell...or maybe Hell's Paradise ( new anime) this is insane how many panels they have at AX this year, but makes sense as they absorbed Funimation. And, it's not even panels, they have their booth and own stage in the adjacent Hotel. Oh, and a lounge.

From Press release:

All day July 2nd, Crunchyroll will take over the Platinum Ballroom and dress it in orange to create the
"Crunchyroll Stage at the JW Marriott”, where world-renowned creators from MAPPA will discuss the biggest names in anime, including Hell’s Paradise. Sharing center stage are all-new titles Metallic Rouge from Studio Bones and KamiErabi GOD.app from NieR creator Yoko Taro. The orange spotlight will also be on world and international premieres for Bungo Stray Dogs Season 5, Link Click Season 2, and Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2—each accompanied by discussions with series creators!


The Crunchyroll Stage at the JW Marriott is an all-day party—even between panels—with DJ entertainment from Otaku Passport, audience games, contests, exclusive swage, giveaways and prizes. Anime sleuths can take on the Crunchyroll Code Quest—gather hints and clues given out exclusively at the Crunchyroll Stage and enter the secret phrase for a chance to win a PlayStation 5! (*1)


Beyond the Crunchyroll Stage, fans are invited to check out panels discussing fan-favorite series, including JUJUTSU KAISEN, Horimiya: The Missing Pieces, and SPY x FAMILY with Takuya Eguchi—the Japanese voice of Loid Forger. Those looking to get a jump on Crunchyroll’s packed summer season can catch world and international premieres for Undead Murder Farce, The Rising of Shield Hero Season 3, Rent-a-Girlfriend Season 3, and many more!


On the show floor, Crunchyroll’s most advanced booth ever [#3000] will activate with scenes and
sounds from hit anime, whisking fans away into beloved worlds. Those that revel in cursed energy may enter
The JUJUTSU KAISEN Experience, where fans will find themselves immersed in expansive, iconic moments. Attendees can immortalize their Anime Expo experience at the Hell’s Paradise photo op or take picture-perfect moments in all-new digital photo booths featuring some of the most beloved anime on Crunchyroll, including One Piece, My Hero Academia, and SPY x FAMILY


No booth is complete without swag! Crunchyroll members are invited to test their skills at the Subscriber Arcade to win exciting prizes. Of course, everyone is welcome to take a bit of Anime Expo home with free swag. Crunchyroll is offering Solo Leveling and Bungo Stray Dogs backpack bags for swag carrying needs, both perfect for filling with Dr. STONE posters; Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation pins; and so much more! 


The Crunchyroll Store is setting up shop with more than 60 items, including never-before-seen Anime Expo Exclusive Merch. Purveyors of southern California skate culture can now hit the skatepark on Exclusive Anime Skate Decks, each donning iconic visuals from JUJUTSU KAISEN, Cowboy Bebop, Attack on Titan, SPY x FAMILY, Yu Yu Hakusho, and for those that shred especially hard, Chainsaw Man. Fans can also pull the chord on the exclusive Chainsaw Man Silver Chrome Figure. Additionally, Crunchyroll is unleashing limited reprints from the Team Liquid x Naruto 20 Year Anniversary Collection—the Kyubi Twill Jacket, Hatake Kakashi Vest, and Sakura Skirt will only be available from Crunchyroll at Anime Expo! 


Fans and Subscribers looking to refresh can head to the “Crunchyroll Lounge” in the JW Marriot’s Mixing Room. From Saturday, July 1 through Monday, July 3, between 11:00AM and 11:00PM, subscribers can take advantage of anime themed drinks for purchase, pop-up photo ops, free swag, and don’t miss an exclusive mixology experience for Bartender, and more! From 11:00AM to 6:00PM, the lounge is open exclusively for Crunchyroll Subscribers. During this time, Crunchyroll subscribers need only flash their digital subscriber membership card located in the Crunchyroll app for access with up to 3 additional guests. From 6:00PM on, a space in the Crunchyroll Lounge will be open to all guests! (*2)

Tasty anime experiences don’t need to end with Anime Expo! Crunchyroll and Anaheim’s Requiem Cafe teamed up to offer a taste of Konosuba, Link Click, Obey Me!, Sugar Apple Fairy Tale, and Sasaki and Miyano. Through July 15th, fans can enjoy exclusive giveaways, drinks, and food based on these fan favorite series! 


Check out the full Anime Expo line up where you can find Crunchyroll:


MAPPA PANEL IN LA 

Saturday, July 1 | 3:00 PM PT 

JW Marriott – Platinum Ballroom


The CEO and a producer of MAPPA will discuss behind-the-scenes of some of the up-coming anime titles! This is the first overseas face-to-face event for MAPPA’s first original movie. 


  • Panelists: Manabu Ostuka, Makoto Kimura 

  • Host: Crunchyroll’s Kyle Cardine 


STUDIO KAFKA X THE ANCIENT MAGUS BRIDE SEASON 2

Saturday, July 1 | 3:30 PM PT

Los Angeles Convention Center – Room 408


Studio Kafka is known for its elaborate craftsmanship with its signature title: The Ancient Magus' Bride SEASON 2. Here is a chance for you to meet the main staff! Live-drawing, cosplay, and learn about the behind-the-scenes production! It's the first time the creative team is at Anime Expo. 


SPY x FAMILY PANEL FEATURING TAKUYA EGUCHI 

Saturday, July 1 | 5:00 PM PT

Los Angeles Convention Center – Main Events Hall 


Join Crunchyroll and Takuya Eguchi, the Japanese voice of Loid Forger, as we discuss all things SPY x FAMILY.


  • Panelists: Takuya Eguchi 

  • Host: Crunchyroll’s Lauren Moore


CRUNCHYROLL PRESENTS: NEW SIMULCAST PREMIERES ROUND 1

Saturday, July 1 | 7:00 PM PT

Los Angeles Convention Center – Room 403


Don't miss your chance to be the first to catch the newest anime premieres from Japan, all in one place! Featuring early screenings with never-before-seen content, you won't want to miss this! Each premiere session features unique and exclusive content, so go and watch them all!


  • Sweet Reincarnation – Episode 1 

  • Malevolent Spirits: Monogatari – Cour 2, Episode 1 

  • Masamune-kun's Revenge R – Episode 1 


MAPPA x CRUNCHYROLL 

Sunday, July 2 | 11:30 AM PT 

Crunchyroll Stage at the JW Marriott 


Join MAPPA’s production staff for a behind-the-scenes discussion of some of Studio MAPPA’s most popular titles, in collaboration with Crunchyroll!


  • Panelists: Manabu Ostuka, Makoto Kimura, Kiyoshi Matsuda, Kaori Makita 

  • Host: Crunchyroll’s Kyle Cardine 


THE ART AND MEDIUMS OF STORYTELLING

Sunday, July 2 | 1:00 PM PT

Crunchyroll Stage at the JW Marriott 


Meet the all-star group of storytelling and creative visionaries behind NieR:Automata (Yoko Taro), Fire Force (Atsushi Ohkubo), Knights of Sidonia (Hiroyuki Seshita), Kagerou Project (Jin), and many other titles. Explore the art of storytelling and the various mediums through which those stories reach the masses. From their latest upcoming work, KamiErabi GOD.app to many more!


  • Panelists: Yoko Taro, Atsuhi Ohkubo, Hiroyuki Seshita, Jin

  • Host: Crunchyroll’s Kyle Cardine 


STUDIO BONES 25th ANNIVERSARY PANEL

Sunday, July 2 | 2:30 PM  PT

Crunchyroll Stage at the JW Marriott 


Celebrating the history and legacy of Studio BONES from their early works through to the works of today such as Metallic Rouge. Featuring special guests Masahiko Minami (President of BONES) and Toshihiro Kawamoto (Cowboy Bebop Character Designer), there may even be a surprise!


  • Panelists: Masahiko Minami, Toshihiro Kawamoto 

  • Host: Crunchyroll’s Kyle Cardine 


JUJUTSU KAISEN PANEL, PRESENTED BY CRUNCHYROLL

Sunday, July 2 | 3:00 PM PT

Los Angeles Convention Center – Main Events Hall


Join Crunchyroll and special guests from the team behind the mega-hit JUJUTSU KAISEN as they discuss working on the show, and its upcoming highly anticipated second season!


  • Panelists: Manabu Otsuka, Ryota Ikeda, Masaya Saito 

  • Host: Crunchyroll’s Tim Lyu


WORLD PREMIERE OF BUNGO STRAY DOGS S5 FEATURING KAFKA ASAGIRI, MASAHIKO MINAMI, AND CHIAKI KURAKANE

Sunday, July 2 | 4:00 PM PT

Crunchyroll Stage at the JW Marriott 


Join BSD creator Kafka Asagiri, Masahiko Minami (president of Studio BONES), and Kadokawa Producer Chiaki Kurakane as they revisit the life of Bungo Stray Dogs leading up to the S5 World Premiere which will exclusively debut during the panel.


  • Panelists: Kafka Asagiri, Masahiko Minami, Chiaki Kurakane 

  • Host: Crunchyroll’s Chris Han


MUSHOKU TENSEI: JOBLESS REINCARNATION SEASON 2 NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE 

Sunday, July 2 | 5:30 PM PT

Crunchyroll Stage at the JW Marriott 


Catch the North American premiere of the second season of hit isekai series, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation, along with special guest, Producer Nobuhiro Osawa!


  • Panelist: Nobuhiro Osawa 

  • Host: Crunchyroll’s Lauren Moore


ONE PIECE EPISODE 1000 DUB WORLD PREMIERE

Sunday, July 2 | 6:00 PM PT 

Grammy Museum Terrace 


Toei Animation and Crunchyroll will co-host the "One Piece Episode 1000 Dub World Premiere" on July 2 at the GRAMMY Museum at L.A. Live. Premiere screening of the 1000th dub episode, live drawing, Q&A, autograph signing session with "One Piece" animators, dub actors, and a variety of fan experiences.

LINK CLICK SEASON 2 PREMIERE WITH DIRECTOR

Sunday, July 2 | 7:00 PM PT

Crunchyroll Stage at the JW Marriott 


Everyone's favorite photography based problem solvers are back! Don't miss your chance to watch the North American premiere of Link Click Season 2, along with special guest Haoliong Li, director of Link Click!


  • Panelists: Haoliong Li 

  • Host: Crunchyroll’s Tim Lyu


CRUNCHYROLL PRESENTS: NEW SIMULCAST PREMIERES ROUND 2

Monday, July 3 | 12:00 PM PT

JW Marriott – Diamond Ballroom


Don't miss your chance to be the first to catch the newest anime premieres from Japan, all in one place! Featuring early screenings with never-before-seen content, you won't want to miss this! Each premiere session features unique and exclusive content, so go and watch them all!


  • The Rising of Shield Hero 3 – Episode 1 

  • MF Ghost – Episode 1 

  • My Unique Skill Makes Me OP even at Level 1 – Episode 1 


CRUNCHYROLL PRESENTS: NEW SIMULCAST PREMIERES ROUND 3

Monday, July 3 | 2:00 PM PT

JW Marriott – Diamond Ballroom


Don't miss your chance to be the first to catch the newest anime premieres from Japan, all in one place! Featuring early screenings with never-before-seen content, you won't want to miss this! Each premiere session features unique and exclusive content, so go and watch them all!


  • Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Season 2 – Episode 1 

  • AYAKA – Episode 1 & 2 


CRUNCHYROLL INDUSTRY PANEL 

Monday, July 3 | 3:30 PM PT

Los Angeles Convention Center – Petree Hall


Hear about all the latest and greatest anime coming out of Crunchyroll straight from the source!


  • Host: Crunchyroll’s Lauren Moore & Tim Lyu


CRUNCHYROLL PRESENTS: UNDEAD MURDER FARCE WORLD PREMIERE 

Monday, July 3 | 5:00 PM PT

Los Angeles Convention Center – Room 403


Catch the world premiere of Undead Murder Farce with Crunchyroll! Two full episodes! The 19th century — a world inhabited by vampires, golems, werewolves and other paranormal creatures. Immortal beauty and disembodied head Aya Rindo, along with half-human-half-demon “Demon Killer” Tsugaru Shunichi and her loyal maid Shizuku Hasei, travels through Europe as supernatural detective “The Cage User,” on a quest to reclaim her lost body.


CRUNCHYROLL PRESENTS: GRIDMAN UNIVERSE PREMIERE 

Monday, July 3 | 6:00 PM PT

JW Marriott – Diamond Ballroom


Crunchyroll is proud to present the US premiere of Gridman Universe. Brought to you by Tsuburaya Productions and Trigger, superheroes and giant robots collide in an all-new animated film.


CRUNCHYROLL PRESENTS: NEW SIMULCAST PREMIERES ROUND 4 

Monday, July 3 | 6:30 PM PT

Los Angeles Convention Center – Room 403


Don't miss your chance to be the first to catch the newest anime premieres from Japan, all in one place! Featuring early screenings with never-before-seen content, you won't want to miss this! Each premiere session features unique and exclusive content, so go and watch them all!


  • Saint Cecilla and Pastor Lawrence – Episode 1 

  • I Shall Survive Using Potions! – Episode 1

  • Firefighter! Daigo of Fire Company M Episode 1