Anime Expo 2018 Culture

Anime Expo, Day 1: 10 Interesting Things We Want to See

With Anime Expo 2018 rapidly approaching, and the schedule for the event finally being released, we here have finally got a chance to scope out what panels, events, and showings we want to attend during the 4-day event. But with so many things going on during each day, it’s kind of hard to nail down what things we want to attend and cover while we are there. And even when we can decide on what we want to see, with so many things going on sometimes at the same time, deciding what to go to can be a real issue – even for a 4-person team like we have here at gXp. But, at least for the moment, we have set down a list of 10 panels, events, and showings that we think would be the most interesting… well, at least for us. So, in this first of a 4-part post, we focus on Thursday, Day 1 of Anime Expo 2018.

  • NISA Community Panel
    Thursday, July 5 @ 12 PM
    LACC – Live Programming 4 (Rm 411)

As a big fan of both aspects of NISA (anime and gaming), we find it hard to pass up attending the panel that the company is hosting at AX this year.

  • My Hero Academia the Movie: The Two Heroes Subtitled World Premiere
    Thursday, July 5 @12:30 PM
    LACC – Main Event (Hall B)

It’s the My Hero Academia movie, who doesn’t want to see this film? We certainly do and we are trying to secure our tickets for this premiere as soon as possible.

  • Crunchyroll Industry Panel
    Thursday, July 5 @ 12:30 PM
    LACC – Live Programming 1 (Petree Hall – Live Streamed)

We would be fools to not want to attend the panel hosted by one of the largest anime channels in the western world.

  • Cosplaying in Color
    Thursday, July 5 @ 1:30 PM
    LACC – Live Programming 4 (Rm 411)

We are huge cosplay fans, so any chance we get to see what the cosplay community is doing, especially as it pertains to diversity, we want to be there.

  • VIZ Media Industry Panel
    Thursday, July 5 @ 2 PM
    LACC – Live Programming 1 (Petree Hall – Live Streamed)

As VIZ is another big anime distributor here in the US, we want to be on hand to see what new releases and other news the company has in store for AX.

  • 2D is Laifu with the Creators of Neptunia!
    Thursday, July 5 @ 2:30 PM
    JW Marriott – Live Programming 2 (Platinum Ballroom)

This is a personal favorite of our EIC Richard as he is a huge fan of the Neptunia franchise, so he used his “golden button” to ensure we will be at this panel.

  • Warner Bros. Japan Anime Panel
    Thursday, July 5 @ 3 PM
    LACC – Live Programming 4 (Rm 411)

We’re really interested in seeing what WB Japan has in store for AX attendees, but we’re pretty hopeful about what will be shown at this panel.

  • Aniplex of America Industry Panel
    Thursday, July 5 @ 6:30 PM
    LACC – Live Programming 1 (Petree Hall – Live Streamed)

Do we have to say it again? This is another huge anime distributor in the US; we want to be on hand to see what news they bring to the AX crowds this year.

  • FUNimation Peep Show
    Thursday, July 5 @ 9 PM
    JW Marriott – Live Programming 2 (Platinum Ballroom)

This is definitely a bit self-serving for the “adult” fans of us here at gXp, and we’ve always had fun at previous Peep Shows in past years.

  • Naughty Figures
    Thursday, July 5 @ 11 PM
    LACC – Live Programming 3 (Rm 408 AB)

While we think Richard will be alone attending this panel, we’re also a bit curious… but not curious enough to join him at the panel.