Anime Expo 2025: Overall Pt.1

 By Jonathan Bilski

 

But, really it was this.

Anime Expo might have started off a little strange at a time when Los Angeles is dealing with a lot of problems, that might have made it seem an unfortunate mess. However, by going there and from reading comments online, I can tell you it was one of the better Anime Expos in recent years. People sharing their post con blues as it was only such a short amount of time to meet new friends, fellow fans and breath in the anime. I'm going to be breaking down highlights from the Main Hall, Entertainment Hall, a few panels and more in this Overall Series. Highlighting our favs from the con.

Just seeing these giant billboards for anime and games made you know you were in the right place

Silent Hill f, coming out Sept 25th, surprised me with it's presence. Sure, it supposed to be the next scary game in the series and set in Japan, a big step out from the norm, but something about it gave me calmness. It's supposed to be spooky, but it's booth was downright relaxing as you can see in the above video. Compared to the rest of the con, it gives you a breather.

Oh, and it's always great to see game companies sharing their new games at AX, getting people hyped for them, so I'm giving Konami props.

Under the watchful shades of Major Kusanagi, the Kodansha Booth had fans picking giant balls with their giant claw machine.

 

Kodansha seemed happy to remind fans they have the rights and originally released Ghost in the Shell. Oh, and that Science Saru is taking a stab at with a new anime doesn't hurt.

 

I had no idea what Gachiakuta was before AX and vaguely was hit on the head with it there. A huge portion of the booth was devoted to it.

From manga to a currently running anime series I highly suggest you check it out. After one episode I'm hooked with the dystopian trash world mystery. Recycling apparently is a crime in the future? Read it first?

Oh and check out Kodansha's upcoming Line-Up for the new year.

From Anime Expo Kodansha Unveils Spring 2026 New Manga Licenses

Back in Entertainment Hall, not far from Silent Hill f's booth, Netflix was showing off all its anime and I guess adjacent to that Squid Games. You could play games and earn prizes or just buy merch from their shows. While, right near it, people purchased their picks from the Funko Booths. Remember they've gout Loungefly and Mondo under the same banner.

As the halls get harder to hold just community sections. It was nice to see the gaming section with some nice comfy couches and old CRT TV's. People of all sorts were trying older games.

Towards the end of the days these places were jam-packed with con-goers chilling and playing games. I mean there is a literal arcade room too, but that's in a different area of AX.

And, staying with gaming, though the big companies like Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft weren't there. A lot of online a mobile games had tons of fans overjoyed to be at their booths throughout the convention. I've already went over how much in meant for ladies for the Love and Deepspace booth, but there were long lines and huge turnouts for all these other games.

 

See ya next time...