Anime Expo 2026 is just days away, and if you thought last year was massive, buckle up. From July 2-5 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and Peacock Theater, AX 2026 is shaping up to be the single most stacked anime event in recent memory. We are talking world premieres, legendary voice actors, exclusive first looks, and announcements that will dominate anime discourse for the rest of the year.
Whether you are attending in person or refreshing Twitter from your couch, here is everything you need to know about every major panel, screening, and event at Anime Expo 2026.
Crunchyroll Takes Over Peacock Theater
Crunchyroll is going all-in this year, commandeering Peacock Theater on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 with over 20 programming blocks. This is not just a booth presence. They are turning the venue into a full-blown anime arena. Here are the highlights:
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle – The Main Event
The undisputed crown jewel of AX 2026 lands on Friday, July 3 at Peacock Theater. The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle special event will feature voice actors Natsuki Hanae (Tanjiro), Takahiro Sakurai (Giyu), and Saori Hayami (Shinobu) alongside representatives from ufotable. Attendees will be treated to previously unseen footage from the film and this is the big one a first look at ufotable’s next project. If you thought Infinity Castle was the studio’s only card, think again.
The Apothecary Diaries Season 3
Maomao’s journey continues, and Crunchyroll is giving fans a deep dive into Season 3. The Apothecary Diaries has been one of the most consistently excellent anime of the decade, and this panel promises new details about what is coming next for everyone’s favorite poison-tasting apothecary.
Mushoku Tensei Season 3 – Exclusive Premiere
Rudeus is back. Thursday, July 2 at JW Marriott, attendees can catch an exclusive premiere of Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 3, Episodes 1-2. This isekai titan has been breaking records since its debut, and the early screening at AX means fans in the room will see it before anyone else on the planet.
Mob Psycho 100 – 10th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, July 4 belongs to Mob Psycho 100. Director Yuzuru Tachikawa reunites with key members of the Japanese cast to celebrate a decade of one of the most beloved anime of the 2010s. Expect tears, nostalgia, and probably some very unexpected announcements.
Gachiakuta Season 2 – First Look
The trash-filled sensation is getting serious. Friday, July 3 features a Season 2 exclusive first look with voice actor Aoi Ichikawa (Rudo), director Fumihiko Suganuma, and producer Naoki Amano. If you slept on Gachiakuta, now is the time to catch up.
Witch Hat Atelier
Manga creator Kamome Shirahama takes the stage to discuss the anime adaptation process and the intricate magical systems that make Witch Hat Atelier one of the most visually stunning manga ever put to page. This panel is going to be special.
Beyond Crunchyroll: The Full AX 2026 Landscape
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run
The Steel Ball Run anime panel is locked for Anime Expo, and it is bringing composer Yugo Kanno for a live performance of the series’ soundtrack. The 2nd Stage key visual just dropped on June 26, and new information is confirmed for July 3. With the second cour set for Fall 2026 weekly on Netflix, this panel will likely reveal the exact premiere date and new cast members.
Kagurabachi
The breakout manga sensation is getting the AX treatment with a Crunchyroll simulcast confirmed for April 2027. Expect new cast announcements, world tour details, and possibly the first full trailer at this panel.
Black Clover Season 2
After years of waiting, Black Clover Season 2 is finally happening with an October 2026 premiere. The AX panel will feature an early screening, and if we are lucky, confirmation of how many episodes we are getting.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2
The internet-breaking sequel drops its first look on July 3 at Anime Expo 2026. Studio Trigger is involved, and after what Edgerunners did to the anime community, expectations are astronomical.
KADOKAWA Panel
KADOKAWA is hosting a major panel on Friday, July 3 from 5:00 PM to 6:50 PM, promising behind-the-scenes stories and announcements for the next decade. With KADOKAWA’s catalog spanning Re:Zero, Konosuba, Shield Hero, and dozens more, this could be where the biggest surprises land.
Early Screenings You Cannot Miss
AX 2026 is packed with advance screenings. Here is the full list of titles getting early premieres:
- The Exiled Heavy Knight Knows How to Game the System – Episodes 1-3 (Thursday, July 2)
- Hanaori-san Still Wants to Fight in the Next Life – Episode 1 (Thursday, July 2)
- Skeleton Knight in Another World Season 2 – Episode 1 (Thursday, July 2)
- Victoria of Many Faces – Episode 1 (Thursday, July 2)
- Sasaki and Peeps Season 2 – Episode 1 (Thursday, July 2)
- Overgeared – Episode 1 (Thursday, July 2)
- Saga of Tanya the Evil Season 2 – Episode 1 (Thursday, July 2)
- The World’s Finest Assassin Season 2 – Episode 1 (Thursday, July 2)
- Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You – Episode 1 (Thursday, July 2)
- Firefly Wedding
- I Became a Legend After My 10 Year-Long Last Stand
- The Oblivious Saint Cannot Contain Her Power
- The Ogre’s Bride
- The Villager of Level 999
- Goodbye, Lara
- Tomb Raider King
Immersive Experiences and Special Events
Crunchyroll is bringing back its Dubbing Dojo voice acting experience, where fans can step behind the mic and try their hand at dubbing scenes from Attack on Titan, BLUE LOCK, Solo Leveling, and more. Additional immersive experiences will feature Daemons of the Shadow Realm and Witch Hat Atelier.
Also worth noting: Crunchyroll News and Newtype magazine have partnered for a special summer 2026 issue that will be available for free at the Crunchyroll booth. Collector’s item? Absolutely.
Why AX 2026 Might Be the Biggest Anime Expo Ever
Think about what is converging here. Demon Slayer’s theatrical dominance, Steel Ball Run’s long-awaited anime adaptation, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 breaking the internet, Mushoku Tensei Season 3 premiering, Gachiakuta going mainstream, and KADOKAWA promising a next decade showcase. This is not just a convention. It is a turning point for the anime industry.
The fact that multiple studios are choosing AX 2026 as the venue for their most important announcements shows that anime is not just growing. It is becoming the dominant force in global entertainment. Hollywood should be paying attention.
The Big Question
With so many panels, premieres, and potential surprise announcements, which Anime Expo 2026 event are you most hyped for? Is it the Demon Slayer ufotable reveal? The Steel Ball Run Yugo Kanno concert? The Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 first look? Or do you think KADOKAWA is about to drop something nobody sees coming? Drop your predictions in the comments below.
