UlasanAnime.com – As the travel months of May and June have passed, the author is preparing for Anime Expo, hoping to connect with friends as the primary objective of attending. The sheer volume of events at Anime Expo (AX) annually makes it impossible to experience everything, and the author acknowledges that not attending many events might be a good thing.
Logistical preparations include monitoring the departure situation at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), which has been experiencing significant cascading delays. Fortunately, the potential hotel strike, which could have coincided with the Anime Expo weekend, is not a cause for concern.
The programming schedule for Anime Expo is extensive, featuring numerous panels and events. The author plans to highlight those of particular interest.
Day 0:
Events include “Anibash ft. Teddyloid w/ Special Guest Demondice” featuring Teddy, Waipa, James Landino, and DDK. Additionally, the “Summer Kickoff Party” will be held at the Grand Star Jazz Club, a rebranded event from the former Anime Expo Kickoff Party.
Day 1:
- Opening Ceremony at 10:30 AM in Main Events, featuring the band Asterism.
- COLORFUL STAGE at 11:00 AM in Petree, featuring Tomori Kusunoki and Hinata Sato discussing a mobile game with vocaloid characters.
- Kafka Asagiri Panel at 11:00 AM in JW-Platinum, focusing on the creator of “Bunko Stray Dogs.”
- Zom 100 Preview at 12:30 PM in Petree, presented as the next hit anime.
- Pompo screening with director Takayuki Hirao at 1:00 PM in 403 AB.
- Trigger new title announcement & Dungeon Meshi sneak peek at 1:45 PM in Main Events, with expected appearances by Sayaka Sembongi and Kentaro Kumagai.
- Bandai Namco Industry Panel at 2:00 PM in 408 AB, featuring special guests.
- MAPPA Panel at 3:00 PM in JW-Platinum, expected to share news.
- Netflix’s anime panel at 3:15 PM in Main Events, with special guests including potentially Maruyama.
- Magus Bride S2 panel at 3:30 PM in 408 AB, with creators discussing the series.
- Bannam Showcase 2023 panel at 4:30 PM in Petree, likely featuring trailers.
- Obey Me! stage at 4:30 PM in JW-Platinum.
- Spy x Family with Eguchi at 5:00 PM in Main Events.
- Love Live panel at 6:00 PM in JW-Platinum, featuring Kobayashi, Sagara, and Date.
- Fate/strange Fake panel at 7:00 PM in Main Events.
- Mashle Panel at 8:00 PM in Petree, with Kobayashi and Aleks Le.
- SMT30th LIVE: Band of Shadows at 8:00 PM in The Novo.
- Nonstop V, a Vtuber concert, at 8:30 PM in JW-Diamond.
Day 2:
- Twisted Wonderland featuring Hanae and Kobayashi at 10:00 AM in Main Events.
- Manga Publishing Roundtable at 10:00 AM in 402 AB, with industry professionals including Ed.
- Fuji TV’s +Ultra Panel at 10:00 AM in 403 AB, featuring Yoko Taro and others.
- Mappa x Crunchyroll at 11:30 AM in JW-Platinum.
- The Art and Mediums of Storytelling at 1:00 PM in JW-Platinum, with Yoko Taro, Seshita, and more.
- Undead Unluck panel at 1:30 PM in Main Events, with Hanae and Moe Kahara.
- LazuLight talk show and performance at 1:30 PM in JW-Diamond.
- Mecha-Ude ep1 screening at 2:30 PM in 404 AB.
- Yoshitaka Amano Panel at 2:40 PM in Petree.
- Jujutsu Kaisen panel at 3:00 PM in Main Events, with special guests.
- GBF panel at 3:00 PM in 408 AB, featuring Cygame’s Fukuhara and Yasuyuki Kaji.
- Conversation with Yoshiki at 3:45 PM in Petree.
- Demon Slayers Event at 4:30 PM in Main Events, featuring Hanae and Kawanishi.
- Like a Dragon panel at 5:30 PM in Petree, with Takaya Kuroda, Yong Yea, and Sega’s Hiroyuki Sakamoto.
- FGO 6th Anniversary x Type-Moon panel at 7:00 PM in Petree, a must-see for the author, featuring Kawasumi, Takahashi, and Akabane.
- AX Summer Fest at 7:00 PM in The Novo, featuring a strong lineup.
Day 3:
- Kenshin Premiere at 10:00 AM in Main Events, featuring Rieri and Soma Saito.
- Wit Studio Panel at 10:00 AM in JW-Platinum, with potential for new announcements.
- Aniplex x A-1 Pictures panel at 11:30 AM in Petree.
- Bushiroad at 11:30 AM in JW-Platinum.
- The First Slam Dunk screening at 12:00 PM in Main Events, recommended for its US and Canada release on 7/28.
- King Records Panel at 12:00 PM in 511, with expected appearances by familiar faces.
- Denpa Books and Kuma at 1:30 PM in 404 AB.
- AniWaves 2 at 4:20 PM in The Queensberry, a party hosted by friends.
- AX Cinema Nights Presents at 5:30 PM in 411, featuring Peter.
- Gridman Universe at 6:00 PM in JW-Diamond.
- Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out at 6:30 PM in JW-Platinum.
- Neon District at 8:00 PM in Main Events, featuring Shaq and Taku, but with cancelled guests of interest to the author.
- Projekt Melody at 9:00 PM in JW-Diamond.
- Denpasoft Panel at 9:00 PM in 402 AB.
- Geekboat World Tour at 9:00 PM in 411, described as the “sekrit Trigger panel (after dark).”
Day 4:
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- Horimiya: The Missing Pieces panel at 10:30 AM in 408 AB, featuring Kouki Uchiyama and director Ishihama.
- CyberConnect2 panel at 12:00 PM in 408 AB.
- Charity Auction at 1:30 PM in Community Stage.
- Fake Star Constellations vol. 4 at 7:00 PM in 1720, featuring BPM15Q, D-yama, and DJ Wildparty, despite a less-than-ideal venue.
Day 5:
Events include performances by DDK, Teddy, and Fake Type for those still attending.
Con Autographs:
Ticketed autographs are distributed at 8 AM at the plaza near ticketing and buses, with the signing area located by Artist Alley in Kentia Hall. Pixiv will have a booth at Artist Alley. Other autograph opportunities exist, with specific mentions for:
- Day 1: Sasara Sekine.
- Day 2: Takayuki Hirao, Masakazu Morita, Kotaro Takata, Kentaro Kumagai, Sayaka Sembongi.
- Day 3: Kotaro Takata, Co Shu Nie, Trigger (Sushio, Koyama, Otsuka, Wakabashi, Imaishi), Mecha-Ude, DDK, Masakazu Morita, Kamierabi (Jin, Seshita, Ohkubo).
Dealers/Exhibit Hall/Entertainment Hall:
Kadokawa will be distributing merchandise, including a Clear Bookmark Set from “My Happy Marriage.” The Entertainment Hall features Granblue Fantasy: Relink play stations at E-16. Major presences in the E-hall include GSC, Aniplex, Hoyoverse, Bandai Namco, Yostar, Cygames, and Bushiroad. In the main hall, Crunchyroll, Aniplex, GSC, and Atlus/Sega will occupy significant spaces, alongside Bandai Namco and Gundam Base. Cygames, Bushiroad, Toho, and Kadokawa will also have notable booths, followed by smaller tier 2 booths and the general dealer room.
The Community Stage schedule is also available.
Links are provided to the Kotaku list for basic event information, including premieres, and to the Anime News Network for a guest lineup. An exhibitor list is also available.
Given the vastness of Anime Expo, the author emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing and letting go of what cannot be experienced. The primary goals are to attend specific events and to reconnect with friends on the West Coast. The author extends well wishes to all attendees for navigating the event.
