Anime Expo 2024: Things to Look Forward To

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With Anime Expo 2024 less than a month away, the Dorkaholics team is already hard at work and eagerly combing through press releases to highlight what we’re most looking forward to seeing and experiencing this year, from panels to booths, honored guests to major premieres and screenings. The biggest companies in the anime industry will be at Anime Expo with not only panels, but also demos and special events. Be sure to keep an eye out for ATLUS, Airplex, Bandai Namco, Crunchyroll, SEGA, Studio Ghibli, TOHO, NIS America, iBUYPOWER, Bushiroad Games, and more!

DAY 1: THURSDAY, JULY 4

Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers -Special Event Panel

• A first look at a trailer along with behind the scenes info from Arc System Works. All fans attending the panel will receive a poster while supplies last.
• Time: 11:30 AM – 12:20 PM
• Location: Main Events
• Special Guests: Norimitsu Kaiho, Seiji Mizushima, Ken Miyauchi (GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- producer).

Aniplex of America x A-1 Pictures Industry Panel

• Aniplex of America and A-1 Pictures team up for an industry panel to discuss upcoming anime line-ups and a special presentation on the series MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES.
• Time: 12:30 PM – 1:50 PM
• Location: Petree Hall
• Special Guests: Akira Shimizu (president of A-1 Pictures Inc. and CloverWorks Inc.), Tomonari Tanaka (director), and Akihito Suzuki (director of photography)

SHOSHIMIN: How to become Ordinary

• Learn about the exciting new series SHOSHIMIN: How to become Ordinary from acclaimed author Honobu Yonezawa, with insights from TV Asahi producer Kazuki Endo.
• Time: 3:15 PM – 4:05 PM
• Location: Room 511 ABC
• Special Guest: Kazuki Endo (TV Asahi producer)

KADOKAWA Industry Panel

• A panel featuring KADOKAWA’s latest projects and industry insights, including presentations on Make a Girl, [OSHI NO KO], and Re-Starting Life in Another World-.
• Time: 4:45 PM – 5:35 PM
• Location: JW-Diamond
• Special Guests: Gensho Yasuda (Director, Make a Girl), Sho Tanaka (KADOKAWA Producer), Shimpei Yamashita (KADOKAWA Producer, [OSHI NO KO]), Masahiro Shinohara (Director, Re-Starting Life in Another World- 3rd Season), Haruka Sagawa (Character Designer, Re-Starting Life in Another World- 3rd Season), Sho Tanaka (KADOKAWA Producer)

Ys X: Nordics Gameplay Panel with Toshihiro Kondo

• A gameplay panel featuring Nihon Falcom President and AX Guest of Honor Toshihiro Kondo, showcasing the upcoming JRPG Ys X: Nordics.
• Time: 6:15 PM – 7:05 PM
• Location: Room 511 ABC

CloverWorks Industry Panel

• CloverWorks introduces their exciting new projects, The Elusive Samurai and FURERU, and discusses the latest sensation, WIND BREAKER, with the staff.
• Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Location: JW-Diamond

Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian Screening

• Screening of the anime series Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian, featuring a spotlight on the main character, Alya Mikhailovna Kujou.
• Time: 7:15 PM – 8:15 PM
• Location: JW-Platinum Crunchyroll Stage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FARUWUsnvE8&pp=ygUsYWx5YSBzb21ldGltZXMgaGlkZXMgaGVyIGZlZWxpbmdzIGluIHJ1c3NpYW4%3D

The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies Premiere

• World premiere screening of the new romantic comedy anime by studio BONES, followed by a panel discussion with the director and staff.
• Time: 8:30 PM – 9:20 PM
• Location: Room 511 ABC

2.5 Dimensional Seduction Premiere (18+)

• North American premiere of the romcom drama series 2.5 Dimensional Seduction, celebrating the world of cosplay and passionate teenagers.
• Time: 9:00 PM – 9:50 PM
• Location: Room 403 AB

DAY 2: FRIDAY, JULY 5

Metaphor: ReFantazio Panel

• Travel beyond Fantasy with Metaphor: ReFantazio! Join Director Katsura Hashino & Character Designer Shigenori Soejima for an exciting panel revealing exclusive characters and unseen footage.
• Time: 10:30 AM – 11:20 AM
• Location: Petree Hall
• Special Guests: Katsura Hashino, Shigenori Soejima

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak Panel Discussion

• Panel discussion featuring Nihon Falcom President Toshihiro Kondo and voice actors, with an exciting announcement for The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak.
• Time: 12:30 PM – 1:20 PM
• Location: Room 403 AB
• Special Guests: Toshihiro Kondo (Nihon Falcom President), Voice Actors

Blue Exorcist Special Event

• Special event featuring the Japanese voice actor for Rin Okumura, Nobuhiko Okamoto, with updates on the Blue Exorcist series and a sneak peek at the new game, Alterna Vvelt -Blue Exorcist Another Story-.
• Time: 3:30 PM – 4:50 PM
• Location: Petree Hall
• Special Guest: Nobuhiko Okamoto

Tracing the “Trails” of Trails with Toshihiro Kondo

• Explore the “Trails” series with Nihon Falcom President Toshihiro Kondo, diving deep into the development and story of the beloved JRPG franchise.
• Time: 5:15 PM – 6:05 PM
• Location: Room 411
• Special Guest: Toshihiro Kondo

Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- 3rd Season Premiere

• Premiere screening of Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 3, featuring a 90-minute episode and a Q&A with the voice actors and production staff.
• Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Location: Main Events
• Special Guests: Yusuke Kobayashi (V.A. of Subaru Natsuki), Nobuhiko Okamoto (V.A. of Garfiel Tinsel), Masahiro Shinohara (Director), Haruka Sagawa (Character Designer), Sho Tanaka (KADOKAWA Producer)

Avex Pictures 10th Anniversary Panel

• Celebrate Avex Pictures’ 10th anniversary with a panel featuring Kiyotaka Oshiyama and other industry veterans, discussing the company’s works and upcoming projects.
• Time: 7:30 PM – 8:50 PM
• Location: Room 408 AB
• Special Guests: Kiyotaka Oshiyama, Akiyo Ohashi, Naoki Amano, Tomokazu Iizumi

Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II Event

• Event showcasing the return of Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II, with special guests Tomori Kusunoki and Wataru Hashimoto, hosted by Gigguk.
• Time: 7:30 PM – 8:50 PM
• Location: Petree Hall
• Special Guests: Tomori Kusunoki (LLENN), Wataru Hashimoto (Producer), Gigguk (Host)

DAY 3: SATURDAY, JULY 6

Beyblade X Panel

• Celebrate the global launch of BEYBLADE X with an exclusive screening of the first episode of BEYBLADE X Season 1, followed by a Q&A session. The first 100 guests will receive an Xtreme Battle set, and trivia winners will get exclusive key frame arts and products. Mr. Akiyama will provide insights into the series’ development and animation.
• Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
• Location: 404 AB
• Special Guests: Mr. Akiyama (Animation Director) & Blader Ken

Crunchyroll presents KADOKAWA Anime Panel

• Crunchyroll and KADOKAWA present an exciting panel featuring updates on Re-Starting Life in Another World- Season 3, Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian, and more.
• Time: 10:30 AM – 11:20 AM
• Location: JW-Diamond
• Special Guests: Yusuke Kobayashi (V.A. of Subaru Natsuki), Masahiro Shinohara (Director), Haruka Sagawa (Character Designer), Sho Tanaka (KADOKAWA Producer), Sumire Uesaka (V.A. of Alya), Kosuke Arai (KADOKAWA Producer)

OSHI NO KO Season 1 Episode 1 Anniversary Screening

• Celebrate the anniversary of OSHI NO KO Season 1 with a special screening of Episode 1 and a panel with Yurie Igoma and Shimpei Yamashita.
• Time: 10:30 AM – 12:15 PM
• Location: Room 403 AB
• Special Guests: Yurie Igoma (V.A. of Ruby), Shimpei Yamashita (Producer)

Delicious in Dungeon Panel

• Panel featuring the director and character designer of Delicious in Dungeon, discussing the creation and future of the popular series.
• Time: 1:45 PM – 2:35 PM
• Location: Room 408 AB
• Special Guests: Yoshihiro Miyajima (Director), Naoki Takeda (Character Designer)

OSHI NO KO Season 2 Episode 2 World Premiere Screening

• World premiere screening of OSHI NO KO Season 2 Episode 2, preceded by an encore screening of Episode 1, with a panel discussion featuring Yurie Igoma and Shimpei Yamashita.
• Time: 3:15 PM – 4:35 PM
• Location: JW-Platinum
• Special Guests: Yurie Igoma (V.A. of Ruby), Shimpei Yamashita (Producer)

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Fifth Anniversary Special Event

• Celebrate the 5th anniversary of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba with special guests Natsuki Hanae, Takahiro Sakurai, and producer Yuma Takahashi.
• Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Location: Main Events
• Special Guests: Natsuki Hanae (Tanjiro Kamado), Takahiro Sakurai (Giyu Tomioka), Yuma Takahashi (Producer)

Hunter×Hunter NEN×IMPACT Panel

• Panel featuring new content and insights into the development of HUNTER×HUNTER NEN×IMPACT, with special guests from Bushiroad Games.
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Location: Petree Hall
• Special Guests: Bushiroad Games representatives

DAY 4: SUNDAY, JULY 7

Anime Journalism: So you want to be an otaku gumshoe?

• Join professional journalists and editors from Anime News Network and other outlets to learn how to start a career in anime journalism, get pointers on how to pitch editorial, the rigorous requirements to report the news, and more.
• Time: 10:30 AM – 11:20 AM PDT
• Location: Room 411

Rusty Rabbit Panel

• Join Gen Urobuchi and lead voice actor Takaya Kuroda for an exclusive look at Rusty Rabbit, featuring new content and insights into the game’s development.
• Time: 11:30 AM – 12:20 PM
• Location: Room 402 AB
• Special Guests: Gen Urobuchi, Takaya Kuroda

FIVE MUST-SEE BOOTHS AT ANIME EXPO 2024

BEYBLADE X Booth

• Location: Entertainment Hall Booth #80
• Dates & Times: July 4-6: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM, July 7: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Highlights: New Battle Set: Xtreme Battle Set; new Releases: dual packs, single packs, and starter packs; tournaments: held daily on July 4-6 with participation prizes and swag bags for the top 3 winners; exhibition Matches: one-time battles against a master Blader from Japan

HATSUNE MIKU: COLORFUL STAGE! Booth

• Location: Exhibit Hall Booth #3914
• Dates & Times: July 4-6: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
• Activities: Hands-On Demo of the mobile rhythm game, mascot meet & greets, photo opportunities, exclusive AX24 merchandise, exclusive giveaways

Arc System Works Booth

• Location: Exhibit Hall Booth #929
• Dates & Times: July 4-7
• Highlights: Playable demo of HUNTER×HUNTER NEN×IMPACT, photo opportunities at Bushiroad Games’ booth (Entertainment Hall Booth #E-25)

iBUYPOWER 25th Anniversary Night Market Booth

• Location: Entertainment Hall Booths #E-40 and #E-45
• Dates & Times: July 4-7
• Highlights: Dokibird LIVE! Events, VCT Americas x iBUYPOWER activities, BasiilLeaf Night Market Hut, product sneak peeks and collaboration unveils, on-site activities hosted by WD_BLACK and AMD Radeon

NIS America Booth

• Location: Entertainment Hall Booth #E-85
• Dates & Times: July 4: 11:30 AM – 5:00 PM, July 5: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM, July 6: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM and 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM
• Activities: Hands-on demos of upcoming JRPGs such as Ys X: Nordics and REYNATIS

For more information on the schedule of events at Anime Expo 2024, visit https://www.anime-expo.org/ax/schedule-2024/. Stay tuned for more updates from Dorkaholics on Anime Expo 2024 as well as our live coverage of the event.