The 35th annual Anime Expo concluded its four-day run in Los Angeles, drawing over 422,000 turnstile fans from more than 65 countries to the Los Angeles Convention Center and surrounding venues. Held from July 2–5, the event served as a major hub for industry-first announcements, exclusive merchandise, and panels celebrating the international influence of Japanese pop culture.
Aniplex Reveals Upcoming Release Calendar
Production company Aniplex utilized its industry panel to outline a robust release schedule. Hosts Shelby Tozier and Lauren Jeong showcased a trailer for the localized version of “Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Walpurgisnacht Rising,” though no official release date was provided. The company also announced that “The Irregular at Magic High School the Movie: Yotsuba Succession Arc” and “Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend” are slated for release soon. Additional titles mentioned in the lineup include “Needy Girl Overdose,” “Rilakkuma” Season 2, “Elusive Samurai” Season 2, and “Mashle: Magic and Muscle Tri-Magic-Athalon Divine Visionary Final Exam arc.”
Demon Slayer and Infinity Castle Updates
The “Demon Slayer” panel featured voice actors Natsuki Hanae, Takahiro Sakurai, and Saori Hayami, who discussed their work on the “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” film. According to the panelists, the film became the highest-grossing anime movie of all time following its U.S. release last September. During the event, Crunchyroll confirmed that “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” will be available for streaming on its platform beginning July 28. Ufotable also teased its upcoming film project, “Witch on the Night,” to attendees.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 and Future Productions
At a panel hosted at the Crypto.com Arena, showrunner Bartosz Sztybor and executive producer Saya Elder discussed the development of “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2.” Sztybor noted that the second season will take a more grounded approach compared to the first. The panel featured an early screening of the first episode, introducing new characters such as Weak Kingsley and Roman Carax.
Persona 4 Revival
Star Wars: Visions and The Ninth Jedi
Lucasfilm and Production I.G offered a first look at “The Ninth Jedi,” an anime set within the Star Wars universe. According to writer and supervising director Kenji Kamiyama, the project expands on the mythology established in the “Star Wars Visions” anthology. The series is set to premiere on August 5 on Disney+ and Hulu. Kamiyama highlighted that the show explores a unique concept where lightsabers change color based on the user’s emotions and heart.
Did You Know? The 35th Anime Expo hosted over 422,000 turnstile fans from more than 65 different countries, highlighting the event’s status as a major gathering for the international anime community.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the next Anime Expo take place?
The next convention is scheduled for July 2–5 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
When does “The Ninth Jedi” premiere?
“The Ninth Jedi” is set to premiere on August 5 on Disney+ and Hulu.
Is production confirmed for the third season of “The Apothecary Diaries”?
Yes, the panelists at the “The Apothecary Diaries” event confirmed that production for season three is underway and that recording sessions have already begun.
How do you think the integration of Western franchises like Star Wars into the anime format will influence future industry trends?
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