Anime Expo 2026 kicks off tomorrow in Los Angeles, and it is already shaping up to be the most stacked convention in the event’s 30+ year history. With world premieres, long-awaited sequel announcements, and industry panels from studios like MAPPA, CloverWorks, and TOHO Animation, the four-day event (July 2–5) is poised to deliver seismic news that will dominate anime discourse for months.
Here are the seven biggest confirmed reveals and premieres you need to know about before AX 2026 blows up your timeline.
1. Black Clover Season 2 — World Premiere Episode
After five agonizing years, Black Clover is finally back. The brand-new first episode of Season 2 will premiere exclusively at Anime Expo 2026 on July 4 at the Peacock Theater. This is not a trailer. This is not a teaser. This is the full Episode 1, screened for fans before anyone else in the world sees it.
The anime originally concluded in 2021 after 170 episodes, and the manga has since wrapped its run. Season 2 will adapt the remaining arcs of Yuki Tabata’s story, and the October 2026 general premiere cannot come soon enough. If you’re at AX, this is the panel you absolutely cannot miss.
2. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 — First Look at Night City’s New Story
The anime that won Anime of the Year in 2022 is returning with a completely new story set in Night City. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 will feature a fresh cast of characters, and Anime Expo 2026 will deliver the first exclusive look at the project.
Studio Trigger is back at the helm, and if the original series’ blend of neon-soaked action and gut-wrenching storytelling is anything to go by, this sequel could be one of the best anime of the decade. The dedicated panel promises new footage and details about the standalone storyline. David’s story is over — but Night City never sleeps.
3. Kagurabachi — World Premiere
The manga that took the internet by storm is getting its anime, and the world premiere is happening at Anime Expo. Kagurabachi, created by Takeru Hokazono, has been one of the hottest new manga since its debut in 2023, and the anime adaptation has been one of the most requested projects in recent memory.
Details about the studio and release window are expected to be revealed during the premiere. If you thought the manga’s sword-slinging action was intense, wait until you see it animated. This is the premiere that could define the next big shonen anime.
4. Solo Leveling Season 3 — Panel Update
Solo Leveling has shattered every record imaginable. Season 2 recently became the first anime to surpass one million reviews on Crunchyroll while maintaining a near-perfect 4.9 out of 5 rating. A dedicated panel at AX 2026 is confirmed, and while there has been no official Season 3 announcement yet, the fanbase is expecting major news.
Sung Jinwoo’s journey is far from over, and the anime’s unprecedented success makes a third season virtually guaranteed. The question is not if, but when — and AX 2026 might finally give us the answer.
5. Jujutsu Kaisen — 5th Anniversary Panel
MAPPA’s crown jewel is celebrating five years of anime dominance with a dedicated panel at Anime Expo. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 4 has already been confirmed, and this anniversary panel could reveal new information about the upcoming arc.
With the MAPPA 15th Anniversary event recently dropping bombshells for multiple franchises, the JJK panel has a high bar to clear. Fans are hoping for casting news, a teaser, or at the very least a release window for the next installment.
6. Magic Knight Rayearth — World Premiere
A beloved classic is getting the modern treatment it deserves. The world premiere of the new Magic Knight Rayearth anime will take place at AX 2026, with special guest Rie Takahashi in attendance. CLAMP’s magical girl masterpiece defined a generation, and this new adaptation could introduce the franchise to an entirely new audience.
The premiere is expected to showcase the animation style, voice cast, and overall direction of the project. For longtime fans who grew up with Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu, this is a moment decades in the making.
7. Black Torch — Episode 1 Premiere
VIZ Media and Crunchyroll are presenting the Episode 1 premiere of Black Torch, a new anime adaptation that has been flying under the radar but could be a dark horse hit. Based on the manga by Tsuyoshi Takaki, Black Torch follows a young ninja who becomes entangled in a world of demons and supernatural warfare.
With VIZ and Crunchyroll co-presenting, expect this one to get a major push. The premiere at AX could be the launchpad for one of the next big action anime.
The Bigger Picture: Anime Expo 2026 Is a Historic Event
Beyond these seven highlights, Anime Expo 2026 features an expanded downtown Los Angeles campus spanning the Convention Center, Crypto.com Arena, The Novo, and Peacock Theater. The event includes panels from industry giants like Aniplex, Bandai Namco, CD Projekt Red, HoYoverse, KADOKAWA, SEGA, Square Enix, and TOHO Animation.
There is also the massive Summer 2026 anime lineup coinciding with the convention, including Bleach TYBW Finale, Re:Zero Season 4, and Mushoku Tensei Season 3. The timing could not be better.
Special guests include Persona character designer Shigenori Soejima, Final Fantasy artist Yoshitaka Amano, Blue Lock creators Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura, Witch Hat Atelier creator Kamome Shirahama, and Danganronpa creator Kazutaka Kodaka.
The J-POP SOUND CAPSULE concert at Crypto.com Arena and the JAPAN MUSIC VOCALOID Concert at The Novo round out a weekend that is less a convention and more a cultural event of global significance.
What Are You Most Excited For?
Anime Expo 2026 runs July 2–5 in Los Angeles. Whether you’re attending in person or following from home, this is the weekend that will shape the anime industry for the next year. Which premiere or announcement are you most hyped about? Drop your pick in the comments below.
Don’t miss our coverage of the Frieren Season 3 panel at Anime Expo 2026 — another can’t-miss event this weekend.
