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2021 marks the 30th Anniversary of North America’s biggest and most prestigious anime convention in Anime Expo. Unfortunately for the second year in a row, fans will not be congregating at the L.A. Convention Center, as the continuing issues and concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic have canceled this year’s festivities. Fortunately, Anime Expo officials and the anime industry at large nonetheless will still be hosting virtual panels and announcements online again this year, bringing the festivities and announcements to the comfort of your own homes.
For Anime Expo Lite this year, panels will be available to view live and on-demand through July 16, but viewers will be required to purchase a $5 Online Pass. All proceeds will go to Hate Is a Virus, a non-profit organization focused on combating xenophobia and racism against Asian Americans fueled by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Aniplex will host a separate event concurrently titled “Aniplex Online Fest” on Saturday night beginning at 6 p.m. PDT and will be showcased on Aniplex USA’s YouTube page free of charge.
Hand-picked from the official schedules are some of the upcoming online panels during these three events that will be of interest to Toonami viewers. Among the potential highlights, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure fans will have some big news headed their way, with Part 6: Stone Ocean just announced not too long ago. Meanwhile, Crunchyroll’s panel will also be one to watch for, as we could see new details regarding their co-productions with Toonami, especially as Fena: Pirate Princess is set to premiere within the next few months.
Over at Aniplex, Demon Slayer will be a hot topic following the theatrical success of the Mugen Train film, and we could see potential news regarding the upcoming second season scheduled for next year, the Entertainment District Arc. Meanwhile, we’ll be seeing new information regarding Sword Art Online’s upcoming movie, -Progressive- Aria of a Starless Night, which is slated to premiere in Japanese theaters this fall.
Do note that there is a possibility that there can be Toonami-related news in panels that aren’t listed below, but fans should be on the lookout for any possible announcements. For potential breaking news announcements and live-tweets, be sure to follow @ToonamiSquad on Twitter.
This schedule list will be updated if more information becomes available and is subject to change. All listed times are in Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).
Saturday
CRUNCHYROLL INDUSTRY PANEL
- Time: Saturday, July 3, 12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. PDT
- Channel: Anime Expo Lite Channel 1
- Official Description: Hear about all the latest and greatest anime & manga coming out of Crunchyroll straight from the source.
JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: ANIME EXPO LITE 2021 SPECIAL PROGRAM
- Time: Saturday, July 3, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. PDT
- Channel: Anime Expo Lite Channel 1
- Official Description: Stone Ocean, the new series of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure the animation produced by Warner Bros. Japan was announced in April and to celebrate it, we would like to show you the behind the scene clips that were only shown at selected events. Watch the producer and editor go deep inside david production, studio behind the masterpiece and also find out how the past series were made first-hand from the creative staffs! Make sure to keep watching until the very end…!
FUNIMATION INDUSTRY PANEL WITH AKEEM LAWANSON
- Time: Saturday, July 3, 7:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. PDT
- Channel: Anime Expo Lite Channel 3
- Official Description: Dive in with all things Funimation as IGN’s Akeem Lawanson highlights everything new you NEED to know. Get caught up on the hottest upcoming shows, returning movies, and exclusive merch hitting The Funimation Shop. Consider this your anime cheat sheet!
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Overseas Trip
- Time: Saturday, July 3, 10:20 p.m. PDT
- Channel: Aniplex Online Fest
- Official Description: Join us, alongside special guests Natsuki Hanae (VA Tanjiro Kamado) and Satoshi Hino (VA Kyojuro Rengoku), as we discuss Demon Slayer’s development around the globe with reporters overseas. Additionally, the show will feature information on the latest console game, Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles, slated for release in 2021! Please enjoy the show!
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Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Aria of a Starless Night <Past and Future>
- Time: Saturday, July 3, 11:00 p.m. PDT
- Channel: Aniplex Online Fest
- Official Description: It all started here. Commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Sword Art Online anime series which is coming up next year, we will be airing a talk show about the past and future of the series. The theme of the talk show will be about “going back to our roots” and “Asuna,” and will feature comments from the cast and staff. We will also be making a special announcement about the latest news regarding Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Aria of a Starless Night. Make sure to tune into Aniplex Online Fest 2021. Link start!
Sword Art Online on Twitter: “Dive into the world of anime when Aniplex Online Fest returns July 3rd PDT!A special “Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Aria of a Starless Night” program is scheduled!Stay up to date by visiting https://t.co/IfKhXyLKKX ! pic.twitter.com/ljcTyy9fR1 / Twitter”
Dive into the world of anime when Aniplex Online Fest returns July 3rd PDT!A special “Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Aria of a Starless Night” program is scheduled!Stay up to date by visiting https://t.co/IfKhXyLKKX ! pic.twitter.com/ljcTyy9fR1
In addition, Aniplex will be hosting a virtual concert commemorating the music of the Sword Art Online franchise.
https://twitter.com/SwordArtUSA/status/1411097426010775556
Sunday
MY HERO ACADEMIA ENGLISH VOICE ACTOR Q&A
- Time: Sunday, July 4, 2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. PDT
- Channel: Anime Expo Lite Channel 2
- Official Description: Join Funimation for a Q&A with the English voice actors for Endeavor, Deku, Todoroki, and Bakugo.
ANIPLEX OF AMERICA INDUSTRY PANEL
- Time: Sunday, July 4, 4:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. PDT
- Channel: Anime Expo Lite Channel 1
- Official Description: Do titles like Sword Art Online, SK8 the Infinity, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba or the Fate series make your otaku heart skip a beat? Then you don’t want to miss the Aniplex of America Industry Panel! Join us as we bring you the latest news on all your favorite Aniplex shows!
