From Anime Expo:
Anime Expo 2026 expands beyond the traditional convention center footprint, creating one of its largest campuses to date across downtown Los Angeles. In addition to the Los Angeles Convention Center and L.A. LIVE destinations, programming will extend to Crypto.com Arena, home to J-POP SOUND CAPSULE, the AX Masquerade, and select Main Events; The Novo, hosting SUKEBAN's World Championship Fight and the JAPAN MUSIC VOCALOID Concert; Peacock Theater, featuring major industry presentations, premieres, and special events; and the Entertainment Arena at the L.A. LIVE Event Deck, offering additional entertainment and gaming experiences throughout the weekend.
A sampling of the programming lineup is highlighted below. Additional details, guests, premieres, screenings, panels, and special events can be found through Anime Expo's official schedule and event listings.
INDUSTRY GUESTS
Anime Expo 2026 will welcome a distinguished lineup of creators spanning anime, manga, gaming, and animation. Featured guests include acclaimed producers, directors, and developers such as Fate/Grand Order producer Kazuhisa Wada, Danganronpa creator Kazutaka Kodaka, legendary anime director Ryosuke Takahashi, Sonic the Hedgehog Creative Officer Takashi Iizuka, and filmmaker Yoshiyuki Asai. Joining them are celebrated artists and storytellers including Persona character designer Shigenori Soejima, renowned illustrator Acky Bright, Blue Lock creators Mukeyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura, legendary Final Fantasy artist Yoshitaka Amano, Kuroko's Basketball creator Tadatoshi Fujimaki, Witch Hat Atelier creator Kamome Shirahama, and manga creator Yu Toyota, best known for the beloved Boys' Love series Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!. The lineup also features acclaimed voice actor Masakazu Morita, best known as the voice of Ichigo Kurosaki in BLEACH, and WBO World Champion boxer Mizuki Hiruta, alongside additional talent representing some of the industry's most beloved franchises.
PREMIERES
Anime Expo 2026 will host major world and first-look premieres across anime, gaming, and global entertainment. Highlights include the world premiere of Magic Knight Rayearth featuring special guest Rie Takahashi, the Episode 1 premiere of Black Torch presented by VIZ Media and Crunchyroll, the world premiere of the Kagurabachi anime, the Black Clover Season 2 premiere, and an exclusive first look at Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2, revealing a new standalone story set in Night City. Additional screenings, first looks, and exclusive reveals will take place throughout the convention weekend.
VOICE ACTORS & TALENT
Leading English and Japanese voice actors from fan-favorite franchises will appear throughout the convention, including Adam McArthur, Anjali Kunapaneni, Suzie Yeung, and many more, with additional talent participating across panels, premieres, and special events.
TICKETED EVENTS
Anime Expo 2026's ticketed programming expands across music, performance, and live entertainment. Headlining events include J-POP SOUND CAPSULE at Crypto.com Arena, a high-energy concert experience celebrating anime music and genre-spanning performances, and the return of SUKEBAN's World Championship Fight at The Novo, where Tokyo's fiercest wrestling league delivers a one-of-a-kind blend of combat, fashion, music, and spectacle. Additional ticketed programming, including DWANGO-presented events and special performances, will be available throughout the weekend.
INDUSTRY PANELS & SPECIAL EVENTS
Attendees can expect an extensive slate of industry panels, premieres, and special presentations from leading studios and creators including Bandai Namco, Lucasfilm, Production I.G, Disney+, TBS, TOHO animation, Kodansha, and more. Highlights include first looks at Echoes from Aincrad and Unanswered//butterfly, a special presentation of Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi, and a behind-the-scenes look at Disney+'s Dragon Striker.
Additional programming includes BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Calamity Stage featuring Masakazu Morita and Johnny Yong Bosch, and the My Hero Academia 10th Anniversary Panel hosted by TOHO animation, featuring Daiki Yamashita and Koki Uchiyama in a special celebration of the landmark series. Fans can also look forward to a STEEL BALL RUN: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure special event featuring Yugo Kanno, HATSUNE MIKU: COLORFUL STAGE! fan programming, a JUJUTSU KAISEN 5-year anniversary panel with cast, and SEGA's Sonic the Hedgehog 35th anniversary retrospective. Additional highlights include Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle celebration, a Blue Lock creator panel, live voice acting auditions hosted by Bang Zoom! Studios, and special presentations from Frieren: Beyond Journey's End and Zenless Zone Zero.
For the latest schedule updates and event information, visit Anime Expo's official website and download the official AX Mobile App.
