VIZ Media took Anime Expo by storm, delivering an unforgettable lineup of action-packed panels, fan-favorite guest appearances, and exciting exclusive announcements! Here’s what went down:
Wednesday, July 2 – July 5, 2025
Shonen Jump Pop Up Shop – 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM PT
Location: 212 W 12th Street, Los Angeles
Fans lined up for an immersive shopping experience just steps from the convention center. Highlights included:
- First Access to New Drops:
Limited-edition collections from Dandadan and Kagurabachi, available two weeks before their online debut. - Exclusive Merchandise & Reveals:
Rare items from JUMP Shop Japan, BIOWORLD’s anime apparel (including Hunter x Hunter and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure basketball jerseys), and new Bandai Figuarts figures featuring Naruto, Kaiju No. 8, and One Piece. - Funko POP! Reveal:
Debut of the brand-new Dan Da Dan Funko POP! collection on July 3, available for preview and pre-order. - VIP Access for Shonen Jump Members:
Members enjoyed priority entry through a special VIP line. - Immersive Fan Activities:
Themed photo ops (Dandadan and Demon Slayer), plus UNION ARENA TCG demos featuring BLEACH and Jujutsu Kaisen, with free demo decks and exclusive card giveaways.
Thursday, July 4, 2025
Making Manga with VIZ Media – 1:30 PM to 2:20 PM PT
Location: Panel Room: 402AB
Aspiring mangaka packed the room for VIZ Media’s insightful Making Manga panel, where VIZ editors offered a behind-the-scenes look at how manga concepts evolve from pitch to publication.
Highlights included:
- A step-by-step breakdown of the editorial development process for manga one-shots
- Insights on how creators can pitch to VIZ, including common pitfalls and what stands out
- Details on submission and creator opportunities within the VIZ Originals and One-Shots programs
- A discussion on how VIZ supports diverse storytelling, creator ownership, and international publishing opportunities
The panel closed with an exciting giveaway for attendees, creating a buzz of energy and inspiration among aspiring creators eager to bring their stories to life.
Friday, July 4, 2025
BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War Panel – 4:45 to 5:35 PM PT
Location: JW Platinum Ballroom
A must-see for BLEACH fans, this panel featured:
- Exclusive Anime Expo video interviews with production staff sharing insights on BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War.
- A surprise video message from legendary creator Tite Kubo.
- A teaser visual reveal confirming BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Calamity will air in 2026.
Saturday, July 5, 2025
VIZ Presents: Roosters, Samurai and Mayhem! – 12:30 to 1:30 PM PT
Location: 403AB (capacity 800)
Rooster Fighter – One cock to save the world!
The exclusive sneak peek at episode 1 of the Rooster Fighter anime, based on the wildly funny hit manga, was one of the most buzzed-about events of the show. As if that wasn’t enough, the panel also revealed an eye-catching new key visual and exciting cast details.
- New key visual revealed HERE
- Spring 2026 debut window confirmed.
- Voice cast announcements:
- Morio: Mitsuaki Kanuka (Jujutsu Kaisen, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean)
- Keisuke: Tomohiro Ohno (Haikyu!!, Oshi no Ko)
Joining VIZ on stage was George Wada, President of WIT Studio, who captivated the high-energy crowd with the next round of blockbuster news for Yaiba: Samurai Legend. During the panel, VIZ officially revealed:
English Dub Cast for Yaiba: Samurai Legend
Fans were introduced to a powerhouse voice cast including:
- Erica Mendez (Aggretsuko, KILL la KILL) as Yaiba
- Rebecca Wang (Solo Leveling) as Sayaka
- Craig Lee Thomas (Helldivers 2) as Kenjuro
- Christopher Corey Smith (One Piece, Final Fantasy VII Remake) as Musashi
- Alan Lee (Gargantia, Shield Hero) as Onimaru
Dub Streaming Rollout
- Episodes 1–12 launch Friday, August 15, 2025
- Episodes 13–24 arrive Friday, November 21, 2025
Streaming on:
- o Netflix: English, Latin American Spanish (LAS), Brazilian Portuguese (BPO)
- o Hulu: English, Latin American Spanish (LAS)
Black Torch: Black Torch, Tsuyoshi Takaki’s acclaimed ninja-meets-mononoke manga, is also getting an anime adaptation. Cast and character art were revealed for the main four characters:
- Jiro Azuma: Ryota Suzuki (Witch Watch, Dr. STONE, Kaguya-sama: Love is War)
- Rago: Yoji Ueda (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, BLEACH, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End)
- Ichika Kishimojin: Sayaka Sembongi (That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, BEASTARS, Delicious in Dungeon)
- Reiji Kirihara: Junya Enoki (JUJUTSU KAISEN, Mobile Suit Gundam: NT, TONIKAWA: Over The Moon For You)
RWBY: The beloved animated phenomenon RWBY continues to expand its global reach and fan experience. With fresh streaming options, new content in development, and broader international availability, there’s plenty for RWBY fans to celebrate. Here are the latest updates:
- All RWBY series are now streaming on Hulu for the first time.
- Kerry Shawcross confirmed writing is underway for Volume 10.
- RWBY EST launched in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand on Apple.
Source: Press Release
