Anime Expo 2023 opened its doors today to attendees from over 60 countries with 400+ exhibitors and 1,000+ hours of programming at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The annual expo is now in its 32nd year as the largest celebration of Japanese pop culture hosted by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA).
“For more than 30 years, Anime Expo has been a beacon for fans and admirers of Japanese pop culture. The most amazing part of AX is how it brings together thousands of diverse fans from all over the world to celebrate and share their love of anime, manga, music, fashion and more,” said Ray Chiang, CEO of SPJA. “Each year, we are honored to welcome some of the most talented artists, storytellers and creators to Los Angeles. We’re excited to see old friends and meet new ones who are united in our love of the compelling, colorful and entertaining art of anime.”
Leaders in Japanese entertainment, music, fashion, and video games come to Anime Expo 2023 in order to unveil blockbuster announcements and put on interactive events. And of course, when it comes to merch, attendees can visit the Bushiroad, FigPin, Grand Archive, Hot Topic, SEGA and official Anime Expo merchandise booths to purchase special, Anime Expo-exclusive collectible items from their favorite series.
For instance, Netflix showcased their slate of upcoming anime like PLUTO and BEASTARS FINAL SEASON and live action adaptations such Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead and ONE PIECE, as well as stop motion series Pokémon Concierge.
Co-creator of the original manga series, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, Kotaro Takata and lead actor Eiji Akaso presented the first teaser trailer for the live action adaption arriving to Netflix on August 3, 2023.
One of the major announcements from the first day came from Netflix as it was revealed that the original Japanese voice actors from the One Piece anime will be reprising their roles in the live action series streaming on Netflix on August 31, 2023.
| Character Names | Japanese Voice Actor |
| Monkey D. Luffy | Mayumi Tanaka |
| Roronoa Zoro | Kazuya Nakai |
| Nami | Akemi Okamura |
| Usopp | Kappei Yamaguchi |
| Sanji | Hiroaki Hirata |
In regards to the adaptation of the manga PLUTO, the anime series coming to Netflix has had its teaser trailer released and is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on October 26, 2023. The manga itself is based on Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy ‘The Greatest Robot on Earth’ arc from 1964 and created by Naoki Urasawa and Takashi Nagasaki.
The first collaboration between Netflix and The Pokémon Company is Pokémon Concierge, a stop-motion series that expands the world of Pokémon as the story follows Hary, “a concierge at the Pokémon Resort, and her interactions with Pokémon and their owners who visit as guests.”
And lastly, character art was unveiled for BEASTARS FINAL SEASON, premiere date to be announced.
During the TRIGGER New Title Announcement and World Premiere Panel in the Main Events Hall, KADOKAWA Corporation announced that the upcoming anime Delicious in Dungeon will stream on Netflix worldwide after its release in January 2024.
