Anime Expo 2026 is literally two days away, and Crunchyroll just dropped a lineup so stacked it should be illegal. The streaming giant is taking over the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles on July 3 and 4, packing more than 20 programming blocks with world premieres, celebrity voice actors, and exclusive footage that will have the entire anime community talking for months.
If you are anywhere near LA this weekend, here is everything you need to know — and if you are not, here is what to watch for online because these announcements are going to break the internet.
The Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Celebration Is the Main Event
Let us get the big one out of the way. On Friday, July 3 at 5:00 PM PT, Crunchyroll is hosting a Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle Celebration at the Peacock Theater, and the guest list is absolutely stacked. Natsuki Hanae, the Japanese voice of Tanjiro Kamado, will be there. Takahiro Sakurai, who voices Giyu Tomioka, is joining him. And making her Anime Expo debut — Saori Hayami, the voice of Shinobu Kocho.
But that is not all. Studio ufotable is sending exclusive footage from the Infinity Castle theatrical release, AND they are teasing a first look at their next film project. If you have been following the Demon Slayer franchise, you know ufotable does not do anything small. This panel alone is worth the trip to AX.
Mushoku Tensei Season 3 Gets an Exclusive Premiere
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation fans, your patience is being rewarded. On Thursday, July 2 at 1:00 PM PT, Crunchyroll is hosting an exclusive premiere screening of Season 3, Episodes 1-2. Rudeus Greyrat’s journey continues with new challenges, deeper bonds, and what the studio is calling “unforgettable moments.” This is one of the most anticipated isekai returns of the year, and AX attendees get to see it before anyone else.
Witch Hat Atelier Brings Its Creator to the Stage
This one is special. On Friday, July 3 at 3:15 PM PT, Witch Hat Atelier is getting a deep dive panel with Kamome Shirahama, the manga creator herself, alongside voice cast members Rena Motomura (Coco) and Natsuki Hanae (Qifrey). The manga has been praised as one of the most beautifully illustrated series in recent memory, and the anime adaptation has been one of the most requested. Getting the creator on stage at AX is a huge win.
Gachiakuta Season 2 Drops a First Look
Gachiakuta was just crowned Manga Shonen Terbaik 2026 by Kodansha, and now it is getting the anime treatment it deserves. On Friday, July 3 at 10:00 AM PT, Crunchyroll is hosting a “Return to the Pit” panel with voice actor Aoi Ichikawa (Rudo), director Fumihiko Suganuma, and producer Naoki Amano. They will be showing the first footage from Season 2. The first season was a sleeper hit — Season 2 is going to be the breakout.
Thursday Is Packed with Early Screenings
For those arriving early, Thursday July 2 is loaded with premieres:
- The Exiled Heavy Knight Knows How to Game the System — Episodes 1-3 (10:00 AM PT)
- Hanaori-san Still Wants to Fight in the Next Life + Skeleton Knight in Another World Season 2 (11:30 AM PT)
- Victoria of Many Faces + Sasaki and Peeps Season 2 (2:30 PM PT)
- Overgeared + Saga of Tanya the Evil Season 2 (4:00 PM PT)
- The World’s Finest Assassin Season 2 + Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You (5:30 PM PT)
That is nine anime premieres in a single day. Crunchyroll is not playing around.
The Crunchyroll Showcase — Expect Surprises
On Friday, July 3 at 1:30 PM PT, the Crunchyroll Showcase promises “sneak peeks, studio spotlights, announcements, and surprises.” In past years, this is where major license acquisitions and new series announcements have dropped. If there is one panel to follow on social media even if you are not attending, this is the one.
Why This Matters Beyond Anime Expo
Anime Expo 2026 is not just a convention — it is the launchpad for the entire Summer 2026 anime season. With Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 4, Re:ZERO Season 4, Mushoku Tensei Season 3, and Ghost in the Shell all heading to streaming this summer, the announcements from AX will set the tone for the next six months of anime.
Crunchyroll investing this heavily in Peacock Theater — taking over two full days with 20+ programming blocks — signals that the streaming wars for anime are only getting more intense. Netflix has been making moves with THE ONE PIECE remake and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2, and Crunchyroll is clearly not going to let them have the spotlight.
What Do You Think?
Which panel are you most excited about? Are you Team Demon Slayer or Team Mushoku Tensei? And is anyone else dying to see what ufotable’s next project is? Drop your thoughts below — we will be covering all the major announcements from Anime Expo 2026 as they happen, so keep it locked here.
