Its been three years since the last in-person Anime Expo, and this year marks the first since the merger between Crunchyroll and Funimation. Anime Expo 2022 is going to be bigger this year in every way!
But, before I go over the details on the events and panels, let’s go over some safety tips that all congoers should know.
- Bring water/food. It doesn’t matter how long you plan to attend; at least pack a couple of water bottles to stay hydrated.
- Keep your cellphone charged, and bring a charger/bank for emergencies.
- Plan everything! With so many fantastic events available, you might not be able to see everything. Also, stick to your budget!
- Practice basic self-care and follow the health guidelines. This includes bathing, eating properly, and keep checking the covid 19 health guidelines.
- Respect cosplayers and ask permission to take photos.
- Have fun!
The Anime Expo 2022 dates will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from July 1 to July 4, 2022. Crunchyroll is pulling out the stops this year with panels for new series, interactive activations, world/international premiere screening, exclusive merch, and more!
If you can’t attend, don’t worry, you can find merch online, but be prepared to hunt for deals. In addition, Crunchyroll will be hosting daily recaps on Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok, and YouTube channels.
You’ll receive a warm welcome from Chrunchroll’s VTuber mascot Crunchyroll-Hime on a monitor in the South Hall Lobby. The South Hall Lobby is home to the New Crunchy City Hall HQ, which has previews of new anime and unique swag.
Spy fans should be on the lookout for a secret area for photo opps! You can feel Crunchyroll’s presence from the moment you step onto the showroom floor.
Where can I begin my adventure?!
Head to booth 3000 for badge activation and grab a free drawstring bag every day while supplies last. The bags will have different anime characters on them, but you’ll get Aoashi and Rent-A-Girlfriend Season 2 photo frame cards and a That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime stress ball with other promo goodies!
You can also visit booth 3000 to win prize packs like photo opps with The Rising of the Shield Hero characters Naofumii, Raphtalia, and a 10′ tall Filo. They also have a shikishi or autographed art boards gallery with over 40 artists, and you can play the latest games from the Crunchyroll library.
Booth 1600 is Cruncyroll’s merch store, with over 30 collectible products and apparel, including a Funko Pop! of Piccolo from Dragonball wearing his driving school outfit! Crunchyroll is also hosting panels with special guests to discuss Spy x Family Part 2, JUJUTSU KAISEN, Ranking of Kings, and Chainsaw Man.
Those who love to stream their daily dose of anime can check out the international premieres of YUREI DECO, Classroom of the Elite Season 2, BLUELOCK, and Shine On! Bakumatsu Bad Boys!, and more! Crunchyroll will also premiere the North American My Hero Academia Season 5 OVA episodes and co-present the world premiere first two episodes of FUUTO PI with Bandai Namco’s Kamen Rider panel.
Crunchyroll will stream the Shine On! Bakumatsu Bad Boys! and the My Hero Academia OVA episodes soon. You’ll want to relax somewhere with all of these epic events, and Crunchyroll has you covered!
Head over to the JW Marriott between 11 am and 11 pm from July 1-3 to check out the Crunchyroll Lounge! You can buy anime-themed drinks, take pop-up photo opps, and unique activations will be present in this lobby sidebar.
There are special-theme coasters for a limited time, and the best part is that everyone is welcome! You don’t have to have a badge to enjoy this fantastic experience.
MY HERO ACADEMIA OVAs NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
Friday, July 1/12:00 pm PT at Los Angeles Convention Center Main – Events Hall
Let’s give Season 5 a proper send-off while Class 1-A plays ball and a certain trio continues their training.
SPY X FAMILY ENGLISH DUB CAST PANEL
Friday, July 1/3:00 pm PT at Los Angeles Convention Center – Petree Hall
Your mission is to join Crunchyroll in this first-ever panel of the English dub cast! There will be a Q&A, a special message from the Japanese cast, and more. This is one TOP SECRET event you have to see!
- Panelists: Alex Organ/Loid Forger, Megan Shipman/Anya Forger, Natalie Van Sistine/Yor Forger, and Anthony Bowling/Franky
CRUNCHYROLL PRESENTS: NEW SIMULCAST PREMIERES ROUND 1
Friday, July 1/7:00 pm PT at JW Marriott – Platinum Ballroom
- Shine On! Bakumatsu 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 at JW Marriott – Platinum Ballroom
- 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 at JW Marriott – Room 403AB
Whether you’re a long-term fan or a noob to the world of Kamen Rider, come check out the first two episodes before anyone else! There’s no telling what you’ll learn in this event!
CRUNCHYROLL INDUSTRY PANEL
Sunday, July 3/11:30 am PT at Los Angeles Convention Center – Petree Hall
Want to know which anime is coming from Crunchyroll next? Don’t miss this chance to talk to 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 at Los Angeles Convention Center – Petree Hall
Join Crunchyroll and the Director and Animation Producer for a Q&A session. You can learn about behind-the-scenes and discuss 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 at Los Angeles Convention Center – Main Events Hall
Join some of the team behind JUTUSU KAISEN and learn about their experiences working on the anime and the movie!
- Panelists: TBD
CRUNCHYROLL PRESENTS: NEW SIMULCAST PREMIERE ROUND 3
Sunday, July 3/3:00 pm PT at JW Marriott – Platinum Ballroom
- Classroom of the Elite – Season 2 Episode 1 International Premiere
- In/Spectre – Season 2 Episode 1 World Premiere
- Shoot! Goal to the Future! Episodes 1&2 World Premiere of Episode 2
MOB PSYCHO 100 3 KICKOFF PANEL (HOSTED BY WARNER BROS. JAPAN)
Sunday, July 3/6:30 pm PT at JW Marriott – Platinum Ballroom
Check out this kickoff panel if you can’t wait for October. Not only will you learn what to expect from the new season, but you’ll see the world premiere of the OP theme song reveal!
- Host: Warner Bros. Japan’s Nari Takamura and Crunchyroll’s Chris Han
CHAINSAW MAN PANEL BY MAPPA AND CRUNCHYROLL
Monday, July 4/11:30 am PT at Los Angeles Convention Center – Main Events Hall.
Check out the upcoming anime Chainsaw Man’s producers panel!
- Panelists: TBD
- Host: Crunchyroll’s Kyle Cardine
Keep checking Crunchyroll’s website for the latest news, and stay safe while enjoying the convention.