Kodansha returns to Anime Expo and also debuts the limited time pop-up event Kodansha House Los Angeles

At this year’s Anime Expo (July 2–5, 2026 at the Los Angeles Convention Center) Kodansha takes the stage as we return with a slate of exciting panels including talks with the master mangaka behind Witch Hat Atelier and Blue Lock. Not only that, experienced anime premieres of Kodansha titles like THE GHOST IN THE SHELL, Magic Knight Rayearth, Thunder 3, and get special first looks at what’s next for Gachiakuta, and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime anime.

Featured as official Anime Expo guests of honor, Kamome Shirahama, the creator of the fan-favorite magical fantasy adventure Witch Hat Atelier,—as well as Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura, the Egoists behind the global hit soccer-centric saga, Blue Lock, will be in attendance at the event for panel conversations and signings no fan can miss. Check below for exact times and dates. 

There’s plenty of Kodansha programming to catch at Anime Expo but also be sure to see what Kodansha has to offer off-site as well!

Coming to Anime Expo? Visit Kodansha House!
If you’re already in Los Angeles for Anime Expo you won’t want to miss Kodansha’s wildly popular pop-up fan event, Kodansha House, happening in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo neighborhood July 2-12. You’ll find a number of ticketed events, immersive experiences, photo zone, arcade games, manga gallery and retail section with exclusive merch sold by Kinokuniya USA. Visit kodanshahouse.com for more details about the pop-up’s programing and calendar of events. 

Panels, Anime Premieres & MORE!
Plan your schedule wisely, because you won’t want to miss out on any of the special events related to Kodansha at Anime Expo 2026. Here’s the full rundown of the schedule including all the special panels, creator talks, anime premieres and more:

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Thursday July 2, 2026

Unveiling Kodansha’s Latest Manga
When: 5:15 PM – 6:05 PM
Where: 403AB
What: Kodansha—purveyors of exciting manga like Blue Lock, Gachiakuta, Witch Hat Atelier & more—invites fans for a first look at Kodansha’s latest slate of print manga licenses coming to a bookshelf near you! Join Kodansha to get this sneak peek, stay for the Q&A, & even come away with surprise giveaways!

Friday July 3, 2026

Gachiakuta – Return to the Pit! Exclusive First Look at Season 2 featuring Cast and Staff
When: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Where: Peacock Theater
What: This garbage is getting serious! Come celebrate the thrilling, trash-filled first season of Gachiakuta with very special guests Aoi Ichikawa (voice of Rudo), Fumihiko Suganuma (director), and Naoki Amano (producer). Then, be among the very first to see what’s in store for Season 2, including an early sneak peek at brand new footage!

Guest Autograph: Kamome Shirahama
When: 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Where: Anime Expo Table G1
What: Kamome Shirahama is the author of the critically acclaimed manga series “Witch Hat Atelier”, which was serialized beginning in 2016 and inspired the hit anime in 2026. The manga has won awards all around the world, including the Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia and the Harvey Award for Best Manga.

Kodansha Presents: Blue Lock Creators Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura
When: 1:00 PM – 1:50 PM
Where: 408AB
What: Kodansha presents a conversation with Muneyuki Kaneshiro & Yusuke Nomura — the egoist creators behind the wildly popular manga and anime, Blue Lock. Enter this panel as lumps of talent to be shaped by Kaneshiro & Nomura’s discussion about their process, highs & lows of manga serialization, & more! Please note: That photography and video recording during this panel are strictly prohibited. Seats will also be limited, so be sure to show up early for this must-see creator spotlight event! 

Witch Hat Atelier: A Magical Chat with the Cast and Creator
When: 3:15 PM – 4:15PM
Where: Peacock Theater
What: Step into the atelier! Let’s take a magical look at Witch Hat Atelier behind-the-scenes with special guests: Kamome Shirahama (Manga Creator), Rena Motomura (Voice of Coco), and Natsuki Hanae (Voice of Qifrey). Learn what it takes to become a master witch in this exciting discussion! Please note: That photography and video recording during this panel are strictly prohibited. Seats will also be limited, so be sure to show up early for this must-see creator spotlight event! 

Guest Autograph: Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura
When: 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: Anime Expo Table G1
What: Muneyuki Kaneshiro broke out as the creator of 2011’s “As the Gods Will,” a death game story that spawned two sequels and a film adaptation directed by the legendary Takeshi Miike. Kaneshiro writes the story of “Blue Lock.” Yusuke Nomura debuted in 2014 with the grotesquely cute cult hit alien invasion story “Dolly Kill Kill,” which was released digitally in English by Kodansha. Nomura is the illustrator behind “Blue Lock.”

Saturday July 4, 2026

Magic Knight Rayearth World Premiere
When: 12:00 PM – 1:20 PM
Where: JW Diamond
What: Join special guests Rie Takahashi (Fuu Hououji) and Saori Hayami (Emeraude) for the world premiere of the first two episodes of the upcoming Magic Knight Rayearth anime, and be among the first to hear exciting new updates!

THE GHOST IN THE SHELL × Science SARU: Special Panel ＆ Premiere
When: 2:45 PM – 4:05 PM
Where: JW Diamond
What:  The legendary cyberpunk series “THE GHOST IN THE SHELL” returns in a bold new form, brought to life by animation studio “Science SARU”. We present the U.S. premiere screening from the new series. Staff members will also share insights into the concept, and visual world behind the new series.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Special Panel
When: 3:00 PM – 3:50 PM
Where: Petree Hall
What: “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” Season 4 is underway! Miho Okasaki (Voice of Rimuru) and Megumi Toyoguchi (Voice of Raphael) from “SLIME” are coming to Anime Expo 2026!

“Thunder 3” Premiere Panel with Production Staff
When: 3:15 PM – 4:35 PM
Where: 408AB
What: Join us for the premiere screening of “Thunder 3” episodes 1-2! The production staff takes the stage to share behind-the-scenes stories, insights into the creative details poured into the animation, series highlights, and insider moments found only at Anime Expo!

The Best Manga for Classrooms & Libraries
When: 5:45 PM – 6:35 PM
Where: 409AB
What: Keeping current with the most popular manga & anime can be tough—especially for busy librarians & educators. From age-appropriate starter manga, to anime-inspiring hits, join this panel of manga pros & experts eager to help with recommendations & resources perfect for any growing manga section!

Sunday July 5, 2026

How to Become a Manga Professional & Stay Sane Doing It
When: 10:00 AM – 10:50 AM
Where: 409AB
What: From editing, marketing, translation, production, sales & more, learn about the many ways to start a career in the exciting (but exhausting) manga industry! Join this panel of veteran manga pros ready to discuss how they got their start, how you can too, & how we all can survive the experience.

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Keep your eyes open for #AX26_Kodansha announcements on kodansha.us and updates across our social media channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky and TikTok! (And yes, you can lurk around from the comfort of your home, too!)