Crunchyroll announced its plans for Anime Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center from July 1 – 4, 2022 with a bounty of offerings ranging from insightful panels of the hottest new series, interactive activations, world premiere screenings, exclusive merch, and more.
When arriving for the first in-person Anime Expo since 2019, attendees will be greeted with a warm welcome in the South Hall Lobby by Crunchyroll’s official mascot and VTuber, Crunchyroll-Hime, on a large monitor to share her excitement for everything happening at the event. And across the way, also in the South Hall Lobby, will be Crunchyroll’s immersive experience, New Crunchy City HQ, that will give previews of the hottest new anime and provide unique swag. Those who spend enough time sleuthing around New Crunchy City may also spy a secret area for photo opps that will resemble a certain anime family’s apartment located in the fictional country of Ostania.
“This is the first Anime Expo since Crunchyroll and Funimation have come together, and we’re pulling out all of the stops to surprise and delight fans,” said Gita Rebbapragada, Crunchyroll’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We’re delivering something for everyone to enjoy and become a part of our world.”
Right at the entrance of the showroom floor, Crunchyroll’s presence will be immediate. At the main activation (Booth 3000), badge holders can stop by to pick up free drawstring bags (different anime series each day), Aoashi and Rent-a-Girlfriend Season 2 character photo frame cards, and a That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime stress ball among other promo items while supplies last. Guests can also visit the booth to enter to win awesome prize packs; photo opps with The Rising of the Shield Hero characters Naofumi, Raphtalia, and a giant 10’ tall Filo; check out a shikishi (autographed art boards) gallery with over 40 artists; play the latest titles from Crunchyroll Games library; and more.
Crunchyroll will also have its merch store (Booth 1600), which will include over 30 collector worthy products and apparel as well as exclusives, including a Funko Pop! figure of Dragon Ball’s Piccolo donning his famous driving school outfit.
Fans are invited to check out panels hosted by Crunchyroll that will include special guests from around the world to discuss SPY x FAMILY, JUJUTSU KAISEN, Ranking of Kings, and the highly anticipated Chainsaw Man. The streaming platform will also offer first look world and international premieres of upcoming anime such as YUREI DECO, Classroom of the Elite Season 2, BLUELOCK, Shine On! Bakumatsu Bad Boys!, and more. Crunchyroll will also screen the North American premiere of the two My Hero Academia Season 5 OVAs. A special world premiere screening of first two episodes of FUUTO PI will also be co-presented by Crunchyroll during Bandai Namco’s Kamen Rider panel.
With all of these exciting premieres making their way to Anime Expo, Crunchyroll can confirm the new acquisitions of Shine On! Bakumatsu Bad Boys! and the My Hero Academia Season 5 OVAs. Each title will be coming to the streaming service in the near future.
Those looking to refresh can head on over to the Crunchyroll takeover of the JW Marriott on Friday, July 1 through Sunday, July 3 from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm where anyone with or without a badge can take advantage of anime themed drinks for purchase at the themed “Crunchyroll Lounge” lobby sidebar, pop up photo opps, and special activations. Special themed coasters will be available while supplies last.
Check out Crunchyroll’s full Anime Expo 2022 lineup of panels and screenings below:
MY HERO ACADEMIA OVAs NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
Friday, July 1 | 12:00 pm PT
Los Angeles Convention Center – Main Events Hall
Welcome to the North American premiere of two brand new original video animations from the global anime phenomenon, My Hero Academia! Presented by Crunchyroll, we go beyond Season 5 as our favorite heroes batter up and continue their internships. Join us for this exclusive screening!
SPY x FAMILY ENGLISH DUB CAST PANEL
Friday, July 1 | 3:00 pm PT
Los Angeles Convention Center – Petree Hall
Your mission: join Crunchyroll for the first official SPY x FAMILY panel featuring the English Cast! Including Q&A with Alex Organ (Loid Forger), Megan Shipman (Anya Forger), Natalie Van Sistine (Yor Forger), and Anthony Bowling (Franky), a special message from the Japanese cast, and more – this is a TOP SECRET event that you won’t want to miss!
- Panelists: Alex Organ, Megan Shipman, Natalie Van Sistine, and Anthony Bowling
CRUNCHYROLL PRESENTS: NEW SIMULCAST PREMIERES ROUND 1
Friday, July 1 | 7:00 pm PT
JW Marriott – Platinum Ballroom
Be the first to see the newest anime series before it hits the streaming airwaves! Check out the hottest titles coming to Crunchyroll this summer. Each premiere panel has a different lineup of shows, so be sure to check them all out!
- Shine On! Bakumatsu Bad Boys! – Episode 1 (World Premiere)
- Utawarerumono Mask of Truth – Episodes 1 & 2 (International Premiere)
CRUNCHYROLL PRESENTS: NEW SIMULCAST PREMIERES ROUND 2
Saturday, July 2 | 11:30 am PT
JW Marriott – Platinum Ballroom
Be the first to see the newest anime series before it hits the streaming airwaves! Check out the hottest titles coming to Crunchyroll this summer. Each premiere panel has a different lineup of shows, so be sure to check them all out!
- Smile of the Arsnotoria the Animation – Episodes 1 & 2 (World Premiere)
- BLUELOCK – Episode 1 (North American Premiere)
- YUREI DECO – Episode 1 (International Premiere)
FUUTO PI – WORLD PREMIERE
Saturday, July 2 | 7:30 pm PT @ Bandai Namco Kamen Rider Panel
JW Marriott – Room 403AB
Join Crunchyroll at the Bandai Namco Kamen Rider Panel in celebrating the world premiere of Fuuto PI! Don’t miss your chance to find out about all things Kamen Rider, and see the first two episodes before everyone else!
CRUNCHYROLL INDUSTRY PANEL
Sunday, July 3 | 11:30 am PT
Los Angeles Convention Center – Petree Hall
Hear about all the latest and greatest anime coming out of Crunchyroll straight from the source!
- Host: Crunchyroll’s Lauren Moore and Tim Lyu
RANKING OF KINGS PANEL BY WIT STUDIO AND CRUNCHYROLL
Sunday, July 3 | 1:00 pm PT
Los Angeles Convention Center – Petree Hall
Do you miss Bojji?! We do too! Join Crunchyroll and the Director and Animation Producer of Ranking of Kings from WIT STUDIO for a Q&A session. Don’t miss your chance to hear about some of the behind-the-scenes and reminiscing about some of the best moments!
- Panelists: Director Yosuke Hatta and Animation Producer Maiko Okada
- Host: Crunchyroll’s Chris Han
JUJUTSU KAISEN FOCUS PANEL
Sunday, July 3 | 1:30 pm PT
Los Angeles Convention Center – Main Events Hall
One of the biggest hits on Crunchyroll, join some of the team behind the JUJUTSU KAISEN anime as they talk about their experiences working on the hit series and movie! Don’t miss your chance to hear from them directly, and find out what it was like behind the scenes!
- Panelists: TBD
CRUNCHYROLL PRESENTS: NEW SIMULCAST PREMIERES ROUND 3
Sunday, July 3 | 3:00 pm PT
JW Marriott – Platinum Ballroom
Be the first to see the newest anime series before it hits the streaming airwaves! Check out the hottest titles coming to Crunchyroll this summer. Each premiere panel has a different lineup of shows, so be sure to check them all out!
- Classroom of the Elite – Season 2 Episode 1 (International Premiere)
- In/Spectre – Season 2 Episode 1 (World Premiere)
- Shoot! Goal to the Future – Episode 1 & 2 (World Premiere of Episode 2)
CHAINSAW MAN PANEL BY MAPPA AND CRUNCHYROLL
Monday, July 4 | 11:30 am PT
Los Angeles Convention Center – Main Events Hall
Join the upcoming anime Chainsaw Man producers’ panel!
- Panelists: TBD
- Host: Crunchyroll’s Kyle Cardine
MOB PSYCHO 100 III KICKOFF PANEL (HOSTED BY WARNER BROS. JAPAN)
Monday, July 3 | 6:30 pm PT
JW Marriott – Platinum Ballroom
If you can’t wait for the October premiere of Mob Psycho 100 III, come join this kick-off panel! Find out what to expect in the upcoming season including the world-premiere of OP theme song reveal!!!
- Host: Warner Bros. Japan’s Nari Takamura and Crunchyroll’s Chris Han
Schedule subject to change. Updates can be found on Crunchyroll News!
For those who cannot make it to the panels or attend Anime Expo, Crunchyroll will be hosting daily recaps on its Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Channel, giving fans all the greatest highlights from each day, including panels, cosplay, fan interviews, collectible features, and so much more.
Source: Press Release
