Are you ready for Anime Expo 2026? VIZ is excited to head back to Los Angeles and hang out with our fans from July 2-5. Here’s everything you need to know, all in one place!

PANELS & SIGNINGS

Thursday, July 2, 2026

Signing: Acky Bright
JW Gold Ballroom
3:15pm–4:45pm

Meet the artist for the upcoming manga Galaxic Baseball League at this free signing. Acky Bright is a world-renowned artist and illustrator who collaborates with global powerhouses, including DC Comics, Marvel, Netflix, Red Bull, and Meta. In 2024, he made history as the lead designer for McDonald’s global WcDonald’s campaign. Bright is also a celebrated performance artist, famous for live-drawing sessions at AX and in NYC. Bright’s latest project, a sports manga epic ft. new original characters and including pro baseball players – GalaXic Baseball League – will debut in July, in partnership with MLB Players, Inc., OneTeam Partners, BW NYC Studios, and VIZ Media.

Note: This signing requires a pre-show, online lottery ticket. Learn more on the Anime Expo website.

Friday, July 3, 2026

Panel: Making Manga with VIZ Originals
Room 511ABC
Friday 3:15pm–4:05pm

Are you an aspiring mangaka? Meet the editors and mangaka behind VIZ Originals and One-Shots and discover how to publish your manga with VIZ. From writing to art, walk through the manga creation process! Plus, get advice on what’s important to include when pitching your manga series or one-shot!

 
Panel: BLACK TORCH Anime Premiere
JW Diamond
Friday 6:45pm–7:35pm

Be the first to watch the BLACK TORCH, Episode 1 subbed premiere presented by VIZ & Crunchyroll! Join special guests AJ Beckles (Jiro) and Keith Silverstein (Rago) for an exclusive screening, behind-the-scenes insights, and exciting giveaways as this supernatural action series ignites the stage.

Saturday, July 4, 2026

The final battle begins! Celebrate BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Calamity with special guests Masakazu Morita and Johnny Yong Bosch (Ichigo Kurosaki). Join VIZ for a discussion with the guests, door giveaways, and advanced screening of the subbed Episode 1 of the final part!

Signing: Acky Bright
JW Gold Ballroom
Saturday 1:15pm–2:45pm

Meet the artist for the upcoming manga Galaxic Baseball League at this free signing. Acky Bright is a world-renowned artist and illustrator who collaborates with global powerhouses, including DC Comics, Marvel, Netflix, Red Bull, and Meta. In 2024, he made history as the lead designer for McDonald’s global “WcDonald’s” campaign. Bright is also a celebrated performance artist, famous for live-drawing sessions at AX and in NYC. Bright’s latest project, a sports manga epic ft. new original characters and including pro baseball players – GalaXic Baseball League – will debut in July, in partnership with MLB Players, Inc., OneTeam Partners, BW NYC Studios, and VIZ Media.

Note: This signing requires a pre-show, online lottery ticket. Learn more on the Anime Expo website.

Panel: VIZ Anime Panel
Room 408AB
Saturday 5:15pm–6:05pm

VIZ presents a powerhouse anime showcase with special guests Masakazu Morita and Johnny Yong Bosch (BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War), AJ Beckles and Keith Silverstein (BLACK TORCH), sharing behind-the-scenes stories. Fans won’t want to miss door giveaways and exciting exclusive announcements revealed live!

Sunday, July 5, 2026

Masakazu Morita made his voice acting debut in 2001 as the protagonist Tidus in the video game Final Fantasy X. His notable roles include Ichigo Kurosaki in BLEACH, Shin in Kingdom, Barnaby Brooks Jr. in Tiger & Bunny, and many others. He also works as an actor, stage performer, and narrator, among other activities.

Note: This signing requires a pre-show, online lottery ticket. Learn more on the Anime Expo website.

Signing: Tadatoshi Fujimaki
JW Gold Ballroom
Sunday 1:00pm–2:30pm

A manga creator, he began Kuroko’s Basketball in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump in 2009, later adapted into a TV anime. In 2017, he launched ROBOT×LASERBEAM. His latest series Kill Blue has run since 2023, with its TV anime premiering April 2026.

Note: This signing requires a pre-show, online lottery ticket. Learn more on the Anime Expo website.

LIVE DRAWING

Acky Bright Live Drawing
West Hall Lobby
Hours:
July 2, 10:00am-1:00pm
July 3, 10:00am-1:00pm
July 4, 10:00am-11:30am

Join Acky Bright for one of his famous live-drawing sessions in West Hall Lobby. Bright’s latest project, a sports manga epic ft. new original characters and including pro baseball players – GalaXic Baseball League – will debut in July, in partnership with MLB Players, Inc., OneTeam Partners, BW NYC Studios, and VIZ Media.

Can’t make it to Anime Expo? Watch the drawing LIVE on our Twitch channel!

VIZ BOOTH #SH-1914
 
 
 

Come to South Hall, Booth #SH-1914 for con exclusive Shonen Jump Store merch, early-release items, exclusive gifts with purchase, and more!

MANGA LOUNGE

Take a breather and escape the con craziness at the Anime Expo Manga Lounge, located at 502B! With over 4,000+ manga volumes, there’s something for everybody. Stop in for fun photo ops featuring some of VIZ’s most popular characters! Plus, pick up some fun giveaways like coloring pages featuring some of your favorite characters, VIZ-themed bookmarks, and more! Enter the Art Competition and get a chance to win VIZ-sponsored prizes!

 
For all the fans that asked to run it back–the Shonen Jump Shop Pop-Up is returning to the greater Los Angeles area!

Starting July 1st, the SHONEN JUMP SHOP in LOS ANGELES will have sweet, imported merch that’s difficult to find in the U.S.. Merch from 16 different series will be available, including One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, Kagurabachi! If you spend $20 or more you’ll receive a free blind bag sticker, and if you spend $70 or more you’ll receive a free poster (while supplies last).

One Piece fans: make sure you snag the Luffy sticker, designed specifically for the pop-up!

DONGURI REPUBLIC POP-UP
Del Amo Fashion Center
3525 W Carson St, Torrance, CA 90503
June 23, 2026-December 2026

Studio Ghibli fans, listen up! Located in the same mall as the Shonen Jump Shop Pop-Up, the Donguri Republic Pop-Up is coming to the United States for the first time ever! Over 400 official Studio Ghibli products will be available from 12 beloved films, including My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, and Kiki’s Delivery Service.

Which activity or piece of merch are you most excited about? Let us know!

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