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!
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
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.
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.
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I'm a self-proclaimed "professional dork." I've always been drawn to the creative and imaginative worlds found in comic books, video games, and other forms of entertainment, and I believe that these stories and characters have the power to inspire and bring people together. Through Dorkaholics, I've had the opportunity to attend conventions, interview some of my favorite artists and creators, and connect with a community of like-minded individuals who share my passion for all things dorky. When I'm not writing about the latest pop culture trends, you can usually find me playing video games, reading comic books, or exploring new fandoms. I'm thrilled to be able to share my love of pop culture with the world through Dorkaholics, and I hope to continue to inspire and entertain fellow dorks for years to come.
