Convention News (150)
Never thought I'd see Steve Aoki related to Anime Expo but here we are. Toei Animation pairs with none other than famed DJ and producer Steve Aoki for promoting One Piece Film Red. There's a decent chance that this also means a premiere of the film too.
OffKai Expo - A New Convention Dedicated to Virtual Streaming 4/29/22-5/1/22
Written by Brian Lee
OffKai Expo is an up-and-coming convention being held for the first time ever in just a few weeks. For the uninitiated, an offkai is an "offline meeting." Offline, aka "real life" or "in person," as opposed to online. Given that a lot of us haven't seen each other in years at this point, the name is fitting. OffKai Expo focuses on one thing that really blew up over the last few years: Virtual YouTubers, or virtual streamers, or whatever you'd like to call them. Now, streaming itself isn't anything new, but the combination of anime plus streaming is what OffKai Expo is all about. The OG, Kizuna Ai, now sleeps, but the world has been left in the capable hands of many, many others.
After two years, Anime Expo will finally resume in-person activities. Like many conventions, Anime Expo took some time off during the pandemic. With the advent of various countermeasures, it's now time for a roaring return to the conventions we all love and enjoy. It's time for this time-skip arc to end. Anime Expo will be held this year at the Los Angeles Convention Center during July 1 through 4th.
The fourth and final event of the July Fourth weekend is Kurocon (Kurotsukicon). Kurocon, you ask? Don't worry if you've never heard of it; I hadn't either until earlier this week when a friend told me about it. There's a Canadian eventer (slang for a person who goes to Japanese events, generally musical in nature, and generally a lot of them) who goes by the name of Kurotsuki. As Anime Expo was not taking place this year he decided, perhaps jokingly, to make his own event. Things kind of ran from there, a bunch of people jumped on board, industry joined too, and voila, here we are.
The third event of 2020's July Fourth weekend is Aniplex Online Fest. Much like FunimationCon, Aniplex Online Fest is all about Aniplex's own franchises and IP. Aniplex Online Fest takes place on July 4-5.
July 4th weekend is a staple for anime convention fans. As mentioned earlier, this year is a little different and everything has gone online. The second of our articles focuses upon FunimationCon 2020, also being held on July 3-4.
Normally on a July 4th weekend we'd be down in Los Angeles with 100,000 other fans for none other than Anime Expo. COVID19 has put a wrench in convention plans for the year but that doesn't mean absolutely nothing will be going on. Anime Expo, Funimation, Aniplex, and a Canadian named Kurotsuki have taken it upon themselves to hold events online. We'll be focusing on the SPJA's "Anime Expo Lite," being held on July 3-4, for this article.
AFA UNITED - Musical Performances and More to be Streamed on 4/26/20
Written by Brian Lee
The COVID-19 pandemic has been trying for a lot of industries, anime included. Japan is currently in the midst of a rising number of confirmed cases and their animation industry has been heavily affected as well with numerous projects both serial and theatrical being put on the backburner. The music and event industry has not gone untouched as well. Concert performances and conventions have been cancelled worldwide in an effort to stave off super spreader events.
This doesn't mean that everything has to stop, though. Thanks to the internet, content can be streamed straight to would-be attendee homes.
CharaExpo 2019 takes place in a little more than a month and and Bushiroad has been kicking up a storm with their announcements. CharaExpo is Bushiroad's spotlight convention for a variety of their franchises like BanG Dream, Cardfight Vanguard, Revue Starlight, and New Japan Pro Wrestling. The event takes place at the Anaheim Convention Center on December 7-8.
Tickets are $30 for the whole weekend and $17 per day single. At the door prices raise to $20 each. One of the reasons Bushiroad is able to bring as many top-name talents is because they are the source company for many of these series and franchises. The value for the price is on an unheard of basis nowadays so if you're interested in any of Bushiroad's many series you should make an effort to attend.
Find out what Idea Factory has been up to at Anime Expo 2019 as David gives us a quick rundown on what they showcased including the upcoming Azur Lane: Crosswave.
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New Guest Announcements for Crunchyroll Expo - Zombie Land Saga, Shokugeki no Soma, and 22/7
Written by Brian Lee
We're about two weeks out from Crunchyroll Expo and they're not done with announcements. This is Crunchyroll's second time in San Jose and third event overall and they're setting the bar extremely high for conventions not only in California but across the United States.
Check out our 11-minute video during Anime Expo 2019 inside the Bandai/Bluefin booth as we talk with David and Xavier about some of the latest Gundam and model kits as well as the Gundam 40th Anniversary!
Crunchyroll Expo post-Anime Expo plus Upcoming Crunchyroll Expo
Written by Brian Lee
Crunchyroll is one of English's most prominent licensing and production houses and they had quite a bit on their plate at Anime Expo for congoers to view and experience. They've also got their own upcoming Crunchyroll Expo on Labor Day.
CharaExpo USA to feature BanG Dream's Roselia and Raise a Suilen
Written by Brian Lee
CharaExpo USA is still a relatively new convention but with some backing firepower it is poised to become a must-visit event for Bushiroad fans. They've announced not only BanG Dream's Roselia but Raise a Suilen as well.