It appears that Crunchyroll has a lot of special things in store for us this Anime Expo in 2022. Probably to make up for all of the virtual conventions for the past few years.
Anime Expo 2022: Details
Crunchyroll is proud to announce what they have planned for Anime Expo 2022 at the LA Convention Center. To start: they’re giving us a list of all the freebies they’re planning to give out to badge-holders at the main activation (Booth 3000). This effectively means every attendee, since you have to pay for a badge just to get in. The list of free stuff includes drawstring bags (featuring a different anime series each day), Aoashi and Rent-a-Girlfriend season 2, and a That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime stress ball. There are apparently other free promo items, but they’re keeping those a secret for now. Also, all of these freebies are in limited supply, so arrive early to get them while you can.
The same booth also features contests you can enter to win prizes, and photo ops with the main characters of The Rising of the Shield Hero: Naofumi, Raphtalia, and a 10′ tall Filo. There will also be a shikishi (autographed artboards) gallery featuring the work of over 40 artists, the latest games from Crunchyroll Games library, and more.
Plus, Anime Expo 2022 will also have a merch store. This store will feature over 30 collector items and apparel, with special attention to a “Funko Pop! figure of Dragon Ball’s Piccolo donning his famous driving school outfit”. Piccolo as a student driver? Sounds intensely collectible.
As for the list of the actual events at Anime Expo 2022? Well, Crunchyroll has those as well. Bear in mind that the schedule is subject to change, so check back with Crunchyroll often in case that happens. Check them out below:
MY HERO ACADEMIA OVAs NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
Friday, July 1 | 12:00 pm PT
Los Angeles Convention Center – Main Events Hall
Welcome to the North American premiere of two brand new original video animations from the global anime phenomenon, My Hero Academia! Presented by Crunchyroll, we go beyond Season 5 as our favorite heroes batter up and continue their internships. Join us for this exclusive screening!
SPY x FAMILY ENGLISH DUB CAST PANEL
Friday, July 1 | 3:00 pm PT
Los Angeles Convention Center – Petree Hall
Your mission: join Crunchyroll for the first official SPY x FAMILY panel featuring the English Cast! Including Q&A with Alex Organ (Loid Forger), Megan Shipman (Anya Forger), Natalie Van Sistine (Yor Forger), and Anthony Bowling (Franky), a special message from the Japanese cast, and more – this is a TOP SECRET event that you won’t want to miss!
- Panelists: Alex Organ, Megan Shipman, Natalie Van Sistine, and Anthony Bowling
CRUNCHYROLL PRESENTS: NEW SIMULCAST PREMIERES ROUND 1
Friday, July 1 | 7:00 pm PT
JW Marriott – Platinum Ballroom
Be the first to see the newest anime series before it hits the streaming airwaves! Check out the hottest titles coming to Crunchyroll this summer. Each premiere panel has a different lineup of shows, so be sure to check them all out!
- Shine On! Bakumatsu Bad Boys! – Episode 1 (World Premiere)
- Utawarerumono Mask of Truth – Episodes 1 & 2 (International Premiere)
CRUNCHYROLL PRESENTS: NEW SIMULCAST PREMIERES ROUND 2
Saturday, July 2 | 11:30 am PT
JW Marriott – Platinum Ballroom
Be the first to see the newest anime series before it hits the streaming airwaves! Check out the hottest titles coming to Crunchyroll this summer. Each premiere panel has a different lineup of shows, so be sure to check them all out!
- Smile of the Arsnotoria the Animation – Episodes 1 & 2 (World Premiere)
- BLUELOCK – Episode 1 (North American Premiere)
- YUREI DECO – Episode 1 (International Premiere)
FUUTO PI – WORLD PREMIERE
Saturday, July 2 | 7:30 pm PT @ Bandai Namco Kamen Rider Panel
JW Marriott – Room 403AB
Join Crunchyroll at the Bandai Namco Kamen Rider Panel in celebrating the world premiere of Fuuto PI! Don’t miss your chance to find out about all things Kamen Rider, and see the first two episodes before everyone else!
CRUNCHYROLL INDUSTRY PANEL
Sunday, July 3 | 11:30 am PT
Los Angeles Convention Center – Petree Hall
Hear about all the latest and greatest anime coming out of Crunchyroll straight from the source!
- Host: Crunchyroll’s Lauren Moore and Tim Lyu
RANKING OF KINGS PANEL BY WIT STUDIO AND CRUNCHYROLL
Sunday, July 3 | 1:00 pm PT
Los Angeles Convention Center – Petree Hall
Do you miss Bojji?! We do too! Join Crunchyroll and the Director and Animation Producer of Ranking of Kings from WIT STUDIO for a Q&A session. Don’t miss your chance to hear about some of the behind-the-scenes and reminiscing about some of the best moments!
- Panelists: Director Yosuke Hatta and Animation Producer Maiko Okada
- Host: Crunchyroll’s Chris Han
JUJUTSU KAISEN FOCUS PANEL
Sunday, July 3 | 1:30 pm PT
Los Angeles Convention Center – Main Events Hall
One of the biggest hits on Crunchyroll, join some of the team behind the JUJUTSU KAISEN anime as they talk about their experiences working on the hit series and movie! Don’t miss your chance to hear from them directly, and find out what it was like behind the scenes!
- Panelists: TBD
CRUNCHYROLL PRESENTS: NEW SIMULCAST PREMIERES ROUND 3
Sunday, July 3 | 3:00 pm PT
JW Marriott – Platinum Ballroom
Be the first to see the newest anime series before it hits the streaming airwaves! Check out the hottest titles coming to Crunchyroll this summer. Each premiere panel has a different lineup of shows, so be sure to check them all out!
- Classroom of the Elite –Season 2 Episode 1 (International Premiere)
- In/Spectre – Season 2 Episode 1 (World Premiere)
- Shoot! Goal to the Future – Episode 1 & 2 (World Premiere of Episode 2)
CHAINSAW MAN PANEL BY MAPPA AND CRUNCHYROLL
Monday, July 4 | 11:30 am PT
Los Angeles Convention Center – Main Events Hall
Join the upcoming anime Chainsaw Man producers’ panel!
MOB PSYCHO 100 III KICKOFF PANEL (HOSTED BY WARNER BROS. JAPAN)
Monday, July 4 | 6:30 pm PT
JW Marriott – Platinum Ballroom
If you can’t wait for the October premiere of Mob Psycho 100 III, come join this kick-off panel! Find out what to expect in the upcoming season including the world premiere of the OP theme song reveal!!!
- Host: Warner Bros. Japan’s Nari Takamura and Crunchyroll’s Chris Han
Anime Expo 2022: Last Details
As a last detail, Crunchyroll notes that if you can’t attend Anime Expo 2022 for any reason, then they will be hosting daily recaps. You can watch these recaps on Crunchyroll’s Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Channel.
Source: Crunchyroll News, anime-expo.org