San Jose, Calif. (August 5, 2022) – Anime fans from across the Bay Area and beyond congregated for Day 1 of Crunchyroll Expo to celebrate all things anime! Crunchyroll Expo is held this weekend August 5-7 at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center and online, with panels livestreamed through New Crunchy City TV and panels available through video on demand. Check out the CRX 2022 day one highlights video here and photo selects here.
Check out just a few highlights from Opening Day:
Seen and Heard
- During the Anime Insiders panel, journalists Lynzee Loveridge (Anime News Network), Megan Peters (Comicbook.com), Kambole Campbell (Freelance critic from the UK), Kate Sanchez (But Why Tho?), and Kyle Cardine (Crunchyroll News) discussed what’s hot and what’s next in anime. Highlights included:
- Lynzee and Megan both discussed the rise and interest around Vtubers when discussing current trends.
- Talking about anime’s influence over Hollywood, Kate discussed anime’s influence over film including a popular director who based visceral scenes in his film on Attack on Titan.
- What’s next? Kambole started a discussion around the advancements of computer generated animation versus traditional 2D, especially from studio Orange. Megan highlighted the excitement around TRIGUN STAMPEDE as a great example of that.
- One thing they all agreed on, one of the fall’s hottest and most-anticipated series is Chainsaw Man!
- Oki-san packed the Yuzu stage, with fans mesmerized by his ability to transform simple vegetables into fan-favorite characters and more (including watermelon art for The Rising of the Shield Hero and turning a sweet potato into Odakawa from the mysterious ODDTAXI.
On the Crunchyroll Stage:
- During the packed Behind the Scenes at BONES panel at Crunchyroll Expo today in San Jose, CA, the president of the anime studio BONES, Masahiko Minami, was happy to share with panel attendees that My Hero Academia Season 6 would be joining the fall anime season lineup at Crunchyroll this October sharing that fans can expect “plenty of fights… jam-packed with action.” Please find the trailer here for My Hero Academia Season 6.
- Crunchyroll reminded fans that Bungo Stray Dogs Season 4 from BONES is coming to Crunchyroll this January 2023. Mob Psycho 100 III, also from BONES, will be arriving on Crunchyroll this October.
- Fans experienced the world Premiere of the first two episodes of the anime hit, Mob Psycho 100 III to great fan excitement in the room.
- Voice Actor Zeno Robinson shared his experience as a voice actor on some of the most iconic anime series. He mentioned his favorite line to record was his very first line as Hawkes in My Hero Academia.
- President of famed animation studio BONES, Masahiko Minami, took the stage to discuss the studio’s storied history and talk about projects the studio is known for.
- Nearly 1500 fans turned out to support the first hololive special panel at Crunchyroll Expo, bringing fans closer to their favorite Vtubers. The crowd even sang along to the special karaoke session.
On the Hime Stage
- A full house of fans were treated to the exciting first episode of BLUELOCK! and cast members Kazuki Ura (Yoichi Isagi), Tasuku Kaito (Meguru Bachira), Yuki Ono (Rensuke Kunigami) chatting about their experiences voicing their characters from the series.
- Continuing a focus on soccer, Shoot! Goal to the Future, cast Chiaki Kobayashi (Hideto Tsuji), Shimba Tsuchiya (Kouhei Kokubo), and Yuuichirou Umehara (Atsushi Kamiya) also took to the stage to chat about their series.
- Fans prepared for a new, original story of ninja action at the World Premiere of the first two episodes of Shinobi no Ittoki.
- Cast of Utawarerumono Mask of Truth including Kentaro Tone, Risa Haneda, and Chinatsu Akatsuki discussed working on the anime and why viewers should be excited for the latest anime incarnation of the popular multimedia franchise.
- Crunchyroll Expo virtually hosted staff members Keigo Koyonagi, Masahiro Suwa, and Takeshi Takakura in a round table with voice actress Sarah Emi Bridcutt (voice of Myne) of the isekai series as they chatted about experiences continuing on the second season of The Rising of the Shield Hero! Highlights from the panel include:
- Sarah Emi Bridcutt (Voice actress for Myne) – [on being Myne in the anime and the stage play] “I found that giving my voice to Myne and actually moving my body to be her are totally different things.”
- Takeshi Takakura (Lead Design) – [on describing his job as Lead Design] “Make something good. That’s my job.”
- All of them “Blame everything on Kyo.”
Meet and Greet
Fans went crazy for a chance to meet some of their favorite voice actors including: Zeno Robinson (Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO and My Hero Academia), Anne Tatco (JUJUTSU KAISEN), Ricco Fajardo (DR. STONE), and Adam McArthur (JUJUTSU KAISEN). Check out some photos from the signings.
Fans went crazy for a chance to meet some of their favorite voice actors including: Zeno Robinson (Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO and My Hero Academia), Anne Tatco (JUJUTSU KAISEN), Ricco Fajardo (DR. STONE), and Adam McArthur (JUJUTSU KAISEN). Check out some photos from the signings.
New Crunchy City Music Fest
- ATARASHII GAKKO!, 88rising’s progressive J-pop group headlined the evening
- Performers at the New Crunchy City Music Fest today included Sevenn and James Landino both performed DJ Sets to a packed house along with international pop singer/songwriter SHIHORI who also performed.
- Crunchyroll Games debuted their new original single, featuring NIJISANJI’s Enna Alouette and Millie Parfait, titled “Pull for Your Heart.”
Cosplay Gathering
Fans gathered throughout the day for official Cosplay gatherings where they took photos, met other cosplayers and made amazing memories.
Fans gathered throughout the day for official Cosplay gatherings where they took photos, met other cosplayers and made amazing memories.
General Stats on the Expo:
Dates: August 5-7
Location: San Jose Mcenery Convention Center & Online
Dates: August 5-7
Location: San Jose Mcenery Convention Center & Online
- Crunchyroll Expo 2022 was a sold out experience!
- The Convention center hosts 520,000 square feet of anime immersion
- At CRX, fans will be immersed in New Crunchy City, a bustling anime metropolis included four distinct districts:
- The Central Shopping District featuring over 100 exhibitors
- The Arts District, home to more than 150 artists
- The Theater District, showcasing anime premieres and screenings with more than 80 panels and over 60 special guests
- The Super Arcade, featuring all day gaming.
- New to this year’s event is the New Crunchy City Music Fest, bringing fans three days of jam-packed performances including rock band SiM, ATARASHII GAKKO! and Burnout Syndromes.
About Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll connects anime and manga fans across 200+ countries and territories with the content and experiences they love. In addition to free ad-supported and subscription premium content, Crunchyroll serves the anime community across events, theatrical, games, consumer products, collectibles, and manga publishing.
Crunchyroll connects anime and manga fans across 200+ countries and territories with the content and experiences they love. In addition to free ad-supported and subscription premium content, Crunchyroll serves the anime community across events, theatrical, games, consumer products, collectibles, and manga publishing.
Anime fans have access to one of the largest collections of licensed anime through Crunchyroll and translated in multiple languages for viewers worldwide. Viewers can also access simulcasts — top series available immediately after Japanese broadcast.
The Crunchyroll app is available on over 15 platforms, including all gaming consoles.
Crunchyroll, LLC is an independently operated joint venture between US-based Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Japan’s Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., both subsidiaries of Tokyo-based Sony Group Corporation.
