Anime Expo 2026 is less than three weeks away, and Crunchyroll just dropped its full program lineup for the biggest anime event in North America. If you thought last year was big, this year is about to break every record. We are talking exclusive world premieres, surprise season announcements, and the biggest celebration of Japanese pop culture Los Angeles has ever seen from July 2 to July 5, 2026.
Here is the thing that makes this year different. Crunchyroll is not just screening episodes. They are bringing creators, voice actors, and directors straight from Japan for panels you will not find anywhere else. Let us break down the absolute must-see events that are about to dominate every anime fan social media feed.
Mushoku Tensei Season 3 Gets Exclusive World Premiere
The headline act is here. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 will have its exclusive world premiere at Anime Expo 2026 on July 2nd at 1:00 PM PT in the JW Marriott Platinum Ballroom. If you have been following Rudeus Greyrat journey through the Six-Sided World, this is your moment. The exclusive premiere format means AX attendees will see these brand-new episodes before literally anyone else on the planet.
Mushoku Tensei has consistently been one of Crunchyroll most-watched series, and Season 3 is expected to cover some of the most intense arcs in the light novel series. This alone would be enough to justify the trip to LA.
Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Celebration Event
Mark your calendars for July 3rd at 5:00 PM PT. The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle Celebration at the Peacock Theater is shaping up to be the single biggest anime panel of the entire convention. With the first Infinity Castle movie hitting theaters on September 12, 2025, this celebration event will likely include exclusive footage, behind-the-scenes content, and possibly announcements about the second and third films in the trilogy.
Ufotable has set an impossible standard with the Infinity Castle arc animation quality, and fans are expecting nothing less than jaw-dropping visuals. For more on what we know about the upcoming Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Part 2, check out our detailed breakdown of everything confirmed so far.
The Apothecary Diaries Takes Over Prime Time
Closing out July 3rd at 8:30 PM PT, Crunchyroll and NTV are presenting The Apothecary Diaries panel. This series has been an absolute phenomenon, earning a perfect 5-star rating on Crunchyroll and consistently ranking at the top of anime popularity charts worldwide. We previously covered how Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You made history as the first anime to earn Crunchyroll perfect 5-star rating, and The Apothecary Diaries is right there with it in terms of quality.
Maomao and Jinshi have captivated millions of viewers with their sharp wit and the brilliant mystery-solving set inside the imperial court. With Season 2 already confirmed for Fall 2026, this panel is expected to deliver significant announcements about the upcoming season.
Gachiakuta and Witch Hat Atelier: Two Cult Hits Get Major Spotlight
July 3rd morning kicks off with Gachiakuta Return to the Pit, an exclusive first look at Season 2 featuring cast and staff at 10:00 AM PT. Gachiakuta has been one of the breakout dark fantasy hits, and the return to the pit promises to reveal new character designs, story directions, and possibly a release date.
Later that same day at 3:15 PM PT, Witch Hat Atelier hosts A Magical Chat with the Cast and Creator. Kamome Shirahama, the mangaka behind Witch Hat Atelier, is expected to appear. This series has won numerous awards and built one of the most passionate fanbases in modern anime.
Mob Psycho 100 Celebrates 10 Years of Pure Genius
On July 4th at 11:45 AM, Mob Psycho 100 fans get a special 10th anniversary celebration. ONE original webcomic launched a phenomenon that gave us some of the most spectacular animation sequences ever put to screen. Studio Bones turned Mob Psycho 100 into a visual masterpiece, and this anniversary event is likely to include retrospectives, special screenings, and perhaps even hints at what comes next for Shigeo Kageyama.
ONE is no stranger to massive announcements at events like this. His other work, recently in the spotlight through MAPPA major June event, proves how interconnected and exciting the anime announcement calendar has become in 2026.
The Isekai Wave Continues: Tanya, Assassin, and More
The isekai genre is far from dead, and Crunchyroll is proving it with a stacked lineup of isekai premieres. Saga of Tanya the Evil Season 2 gets an early screening on July 2nd at 4:00 PM PT. The World Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat Season 2 follows immediately after at 5:30 PM PT. Both series bring a darker, more strategic take on the isekai formula that has resonated strongly with audiences.
Also premiering at AX 2026: Overgeared, an anime adaptation of the massively popular Korean web novel, and Clevatess Season 2, which will feature a behind-the-scenes panel with the creative staff on July 4th at 3:15 PM PT.
Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You Is Here
Remember that quiet anime that just made history by becoming the first series to earn Crunchyroll first-ever perfect 5-star rating? That anime gets its own screening at Anime Expo 2026. On July 2nd at 5:30 PM PT, fans can experience the gentle, atmospheric storytelling that beat Demon Slayer, Frieren, and Solo Leveling to the top spot. Read our full coverage of how this unlikely series took down the biggest names in anime.
Full Schedule At a Glance
July 2 – JW Marriott Platinum Ballroom: Mushoku Tensei S3 premiere, Saga of Tanya the Evil S2, The World Finest Assassin S2, Overgeared, Victoria of Many Faces, Sasaki and Peeps S2, Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You, The Exiled Heavy Knight, Hanaori-san, Skeleton Knight S2
July 3 – Peacock Theater: Gachiakuta S2 first look, Witch Hat Atelier panel, Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Celebration, The Apothecary Diaries panel, Daemons of the Shadow Realm
July 4 – JW Marriott Platinum Ballroom: Mob Psycho 100 10th Anniversary, Clevatess S2, A Returner Magic S2, The Villager of Level 999, Firefly Wedding, The Ogre Bride, Hana-Kimi, The Oblivious Saint
What Do You Think?
Anime Expo 2026 is shaping up to be the most stacked convention in recent memory. With world premieres, exclusive panels, and appearances from creators and voice actors across multiple days, there is genuinely something for every type of anime fan.
Which panel are you most excited about? Are you team Mushoku Tensei or team Demon Slayer this year? Will you be at Anime Expo in person, or catching everything through social media? Drop your thoughts in the comments below – we want to hear which announcement you think will break the internet this July.
