UlasanAnime.com – The 2013 Anime Expo is fast approaching, and keeping track of all the panels, events, and special guests can be a daunting task. This comprehensive guide aims to help attendees navigate the packed schedule, highlighting key industry-related events and providing essential details for a smoother convention experience. Please note that all times and schedules are subject to change, and attendees are encouraged to check official Anime Expo channels for the latest updates.
[Last Update 7/2]
All dates/times/etc are subject to change. All schedules can change. This post probably will change too as I update over time. AX’s posted schedule almost most definitely will change [edit: 6/29 lol yep]. Check the con info desk and twitter/FB for the latest info as usual.
AX’s schedule here (now v2, changelog here. Most notable for Crypton’s panel Sunday 3:30pm and StarChild panel Saturday 10:30pm.) Autograph schedule here.
Scroll down by bold text. I am excluding most things not industry related and even many industry-related things, you have the con schedule for that…right?
Sentai Filmworks is bringing Makoto Shinkai to this year’s Anime Expo. Following their tradition of featuring prominent female auteurs, they are now highlighting a male one. More details can be found on their Facebook page and official website.
- The Garden of Words English Language Premiere: Saturday, July 6th, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM in Video Room 1
Shinkai will be present to introduce his film, but attendees should be aware that this event coincides with other notable panels like AnimeSols, the Production IG guests panel, and Crunchyroll. Given it’s a Saturday, long queues are anticipated. - The Garden of Words Green Carpet Reception: Saturday, July 6th 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM in Lounge 21
This reception offers free drinks and the chance to meet Shinkai. It overlaps with panels featuring Kazuhiko Inoue and A-1 Pictures. A 21+ age restriction applies, which is a positive for those who qualify. - The Garden of Words Panel: Sunday, July 7th 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM in LP1
This panel occurs during the Charity Auction but is unlikely to cause significant conflicts for most attendees.
Aniplex of America has a substantial lineup of events, possibly exceeding last year’s offerings. They have helpfully created a dedicated page to track all their activities, which is a welcome convenience given the volume of content. Notable highlights include:
- Various giveaways, though most require considerable luck and are not exceptionally noteworthy.
- Four limited-edition scrolls will be available for purchase. The “bake” scroll is particularly appealing, even for those who prefer other series like OreImo.
- Attendees purchasing the AoEx DVD/BD will receive an autograph ticket and a poster.
- The AoEx autograph session is scheduled for Saturday from 3:15 PM to 4:45 PM at their booth, featuring guests like Takamitsu Inoue.
The A-1 Pictures panel on Saturday from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM at LP3 is of particular interest. It clashes with Kazuhiko Inoue’s focus panel and the “Drinks With Shinkai” event. While the overall appeal of AoEX might be moderate, attendees can catch a screening of the film at AX or wait for its release in their local area.
FUNimation… Placeholder.
The leadership of Max Factory and Good Smile Company (GSC) will be present, accompanied by huke and a representative from Gonzo who is collaborating with several smaller animation studios. This panel, scheduled for Thursday at 6:30 PM in LP1, is definitely worth attending. Further details are available in the press release here. Unfortunately, it overlaps with the Shugo Chara concert. The GSC booth will also feature merchandise, including huke’s autograph session and special items like the ones detailed here, in addition to their usual exclusives. Their sales items for the event have now been listed here.
During their Anime Expo panel, MangaGamer will discuss the self-published visual novel, World End Economica. This game is from the author of Spice & Wolf. Information regarding its troubled launch can be found here, illustrating the challenges faced by indie developers. The panel, which requires attendees to be 18 or older, is scheduled for Thursday from 9:30 PM to 10:30 PM in LP1.
Starmarie will host a meet-and-greet on Friday from 3 PM to 4 PM in the 21 Lounge. They are also participating in the fashion show. While no concert is currently announced, there’s a possibility of a Starmarie ninja live performance.
Mirai no Neiro will host two panels this year, both on Saturday. The first is at 10 AM in LP2, and the second is at 12 noon in LP3. The vocaloid panels will feature guests such as UtataP, Dixie Flatline, tennen, buzzG, and illustrator WOGURA. A discussion thread for this event can be found here. Additionally, the “Nihongo de OK” event is confirmed for Saturday at 5:30 PM in the same location.
Little Witch Academia‘s localization team is organizing a special event: an AX Day-0 screening of Little Witch Academia on July 6th at 2 PM. This event is not officially part of the convention and is limited to only 50 attendees. More information is available here.
Kick Heart is set for a “premiere” at AX on Friday at 1:30 PM in LP1. The short film is expected to last less than half the allotted time, suggesting approximately 30-45 minutes for a Q&A session with director Masaaki Yuasa.
NIS America (NISA) released their “Prinny newsletter” for AX on Friday. As is customary, they will host a game panel on Saturday at 2:30 PM in LP2 and an anime panel on Thursday at 2:30 PM in LP2. Nearby, Aksys will hold their panel just before NISA’s game panel, on Saturday at 2 PM in LP3, which might cause scheduling conflicts for some attendees.
More significantly, NISA has arranged a substantial number of booth autograph sessions. These sessions may require a purchase, so it’s advisable to confirm with the booth staff before joining a line. There’s also a mention of a “photo session only” for Kazuhiko Inoue, the exact nature of which is unclear. Okada and Kikuchi are scheduled for autograph sessions concurrently.
- Inoue: Thursday 3-4pm, Friday 2-4pm, Saturday 2-3:30pm.
- Ito – Friday 10:30-11:30am, Saturday noon-1:30pm, Sunday 1:30-3pm
- Okada & Kikuchi – Thursday 4:30-5:30pm, Saturday 10:30-11:30am, Saturday 4:30-6pm
- Sohei Niikawa – Friday 4:30-6pm, Sunday 10:30-12:30pm.
NISA is indeed bringing three major guests to AX this year, making their annual purchase at the NISA booth a highlight for many. Their presence significantly enhances the convention experience.
The latest update to the AX Schedule includes a 12:30 AM event on Saturday, possibly a NISA movie premiere, to be held in Video 1. This follows the StarChild panel, also in Video 1, which starts at 10:30 PM.
JAST USA will host a panel at Anime Expo, a rare occurrence for them at conventions. This is the primary opportunity to hear announcements regarding their new eroge/galge titles, as detailed here. They will also offer their usual merchandise, including posters. The panel is scheduled for Friday at 10 PM in WS2 and is strictly for ages 18 and over.
The small idol group Starmarie will indeed perform at AX. Their schedule includes performances on Friday at 1 PM and Saturday at 1 PM, both taking place at the Hybrid Dance/concourse. This is in addition to their meet-and-greet on Friday at 3 PM in Lounge 21 and another on Saturday at 3 PM at the Cure booth.
Other notable events and information include:
- A panel on streaming in North America will be held in LP3 at 12:30 PM on Thursday. This will be followed by FUNimation’s “Inside the Industry” panel, then ANN’s panel, and finally Sentai’s industry panel. The exact nature of the FUNi panel remains unclear without further clarification.
- Wolf Children will be screened at 4:30 PM on Thursday. This screening will be subtitled, as the English dub premiere is scheduled for Otakon.
- For those interested in watching Perfume’s live show in London, a delayed cast viewing is available on AX Day 4. This event is not part of the convention but is located nearby.
- Toshio Maeda’s 18+ panel on Thursday from 8 PM to 9 PM in LP1 is rumored to be particularly interesting.
- Crunchyroll continues to offer free t-shirts to premiere subscribers.
- Danny Choo has posted his merchandise schedule for AX, which is quite comprehensive. He is focusing heavily on merchandise sales this year.
- Finally, information regarding FOOD TRUCKS at the convention can be found here.
PS. Food truck breakdown:
7/4/2013 Thursday
1 George’s Greek – Decent, but not outstanding.
2 Luck Dish– A potential alternative. The KanColle link is intriguing.
3 India Jones – Similar to George’s Greek, it’s decent.
4 Tokyo Doggie Style
5 Phantom Truck – A strong contender for a first choice.
6 Trailer Park Truck – Another viable alternative.
7 Tornado Potato – A must-try.
8 Kogi – Expect long lines, but potentially worth it.
9 Piaggo on Wheels
10 Bool BBQ – Another top choice.
11 Mighty Boba – Acceptable, but likely to be skipped.
12 Fluff Ice – Worth considering if the wait isn’t too long.
7/5/2013 Friday
1 George’s Greek
2 Luck Dish
3 India Jones
4 Tokyo Doggie Style
5 Phantom Truck
6 Trailer Park Truck
7 Tornado Potato
8 Jogasaki Burrito – A definite target.
9 Me So Hungry
10 Slap Yo Mama – Enjoyed it last year, might try again.
11 Rancho A Go Go
12 White Rabbit
13 Kogi
14 Piaggo on Wheels
15 Belly Bombz – If supplies last.
16 Fluff Ice
7/6/2013 Saturday
1 George’s Greek
2 Luck Dish
3 India Jones
4 Tokyo Doggie Style
5 Fresh Fries – Could be a good option.
6 Trailer Park Truck
7 Tornado Potato
8 Me So Hungry
9 Slap Yo Mama
10 Rancho A Go Go
11 White Rabbit
12 Bool BBQ
13 Belly Bombz
14 Boba Truck
15 Del’s Lemonade
You might also be interested in : OreImo Radio: Sisucon’s Global Impact
Food trucks may also be present on Sunday, with vendors returning based on availability.
