Gachiakuta and GHOST IN THE SHELL in Anime Expo 2025!

Kodansha is returning to Anime Expo this year! In 2025, our booth will spotlight two highly anticipated anime titles: Gachiakuta, which will begin airing soon, and GHOST IN THE SHELL, with a brand-new series launching in 2026.

At the Kodansha booth (SH-1225), you can catch exclusive special footage from both series, snap some photos with giant standees, and try your luck at our Gacha Gacha machine for original merchandise or take on the Giant Claw Machine,”Drop the Claw”! Be sure to stop by the Kodansha booth and discover the captivating worlds of our latest series!

 

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Booth Activities

Photo Panels

Strike a pose with larger-than-life panels featuring a Trash beast and the main characters from Gachiakuta, as well as the iconic Motoko Kusanagi from GHOST IN THE SHELL.

 

A Gacha Gacha Machine

Follow our social media accounts (@gachiakuta_news on X, @theghostintheshellofficial on IG, @KODANSHA_EN on X or IG) related to these series for a chance to win popular character and logo badges! You’ll have to spin to see what you get!

 

The Giant Claw Machine “Drop the Claw”

Tag our social media accounts (@gachiakuta_news on X, @theghostintheshellofficial on IG, @KODANSHA_EN on X or IG)  related to these series when you post your photos or videos for a chance to play “Drop the Claw”! Grab some awesome prizes you can only get at the event and show them off to everyone!

 

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Booth Exhibits

Giant LED Monitor

Don’t miss the special collaboration video between Gachiakuta and GHOST IN THE SHELL, as well as exclusive footage from each series, only viewable at our booth!

 

Exhibits

Explore special video presentations, exhibition walls used to display reproductions of original artwork, and exclusive exhibits that will be unveiled on the day!

 

 

Panels, Anime Premieres & MORE!

Kodansha and its partners will be hosting multiple exciting panels featuring our currently trending titles. Please note that advance registration will be required for these panels, so be sure to check the Anime Expo social media and website for the latest information.

For full list of the AX25 Schedule, we’ll have an update next week on June 13th, 2025. See you soon!

 

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Anime Trailers

  

 

 

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Panels, Anime Pemieres & MORE!

Do you want to be in the know for what’s coming down the pipe for Kodansha USA Publishing in the upcoming seasons? Or be the first ones to witness your favorite manga coming to life as an anime? You can even learn how to break into the manga industry by checking out Kodansha’s uniquite programs at this year’s Anime Expo. 

Keep your eyes open for #AX24_Kodansha announcements on kodansha.us and updates across our social media channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok! (And yes, you can lurk around from the comfort of your home too!) 

Here’s a full schedule of Kodansha-related events at AX24:

Thursday, July 4, 2024

Senpai is an Otokonoko Early Premiere
When: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PST
Where: JW Marriott, Panel Room: JW-Platinum
What: Don’t miss an exclusive early premiere of the romantic comedy of the summer, Senpai is an Otokonoko! When Saki confesses to her crush, Makoto, he rejects her after revealing his secret to her. While unbothered by the secret, Saki perseveres and consults Makoto’s childhood friend Ryuji for advice, only for Ryuji to discover he might also have some feelings for his old friend…

Breaking into Manga Publishing 
When: 10:30 AM – 11:20 AM PST
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, Panel Room: 409AB
What: Passionate about manga? Does working in the manga industry sound like your dream-job? Marketing, publishing, design, translation, licensing – there are many ways to have a career in manga, and you don’t even have to be good at drawing for most of them! Hear from a panel of manga professionals about how they got into this industry, and how you can too!

Kodansha: New Licensing Announcements
When: 3:45 PM – 04:45 PM PST
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, Panel Room: 404AB
What: Kodansha—purveyors of some of the most exciting & heartfelt manga published today like, Blue Lock, Attack on Titan and A Sign of Affection—invites new and veteran manga fans to an exclusive first-look at the hot new print & digital manga license coming to your collection soon.

Studio Bones New Anime Project with Kodansha
When: 3:15 PM – 4:05 PM PST
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, Panel Room: 408AB
What: My Hero Academia and Fullmetal Alchemist producer Studio Bones presents their new project with Kodansha, publisher of Attack on Titan and other hits. Anime producers and the editor of the manga will reveal behind the scenes of the upcoming anime. We’ll also show the trailer and teaser visual. All attendees will receive an exclusive gift! This room will NOT be cleared prior to this panel. This room will NOT be cleared after this panel.

 

Witch Hat Atelier Panel featuring Manga Author Kamome Shirahama and Anime Staff
When: 05:30 PM – 06:30 PM PST
Where: JW Marriott, Panel Room: JW-Platinum
What: Join us for an enchanting journey into the world of Witch Hat Atelier with manga author Kamome Shirahama and special guests from the anime production staff! They’ll be unveiling the latest information about the upcoming anime adaptation, as well as and behind-the-scenes creations.

Friday, July 5, 2024

The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse Official Panel
When: 10:00 AM – 10:50 AM PST
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, Panel Room: Main Events
What: The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse fans unite! Join manga creator, Nakaba Suzuki, and other guests from Japan for announcements, a special sneak peek, and a discussion about the anime’s up-coming second season!

 

BLUE LOCK panel – Meet the EGOISTS at AX!
When: 12:00 PM – 12:50 PM PST
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, Panel Room: Petree Hall
What: Join us and special guests Kazuki Ura (Voice of Isagi Yoichi), Nobunaga Shimazaki (Voice of Nagi Seishiro), Megumu Tsuchiya (BLUE LOCK Manga Editor), and Ryoya Arisawa (BLUE LOCK Anime producer) for the very first Los Angeles BLUE LOCK series panel! We’ll be talking about the BLUE LOCK Anime, Manga, their characters, and the latest film!

Saturday, July 6, 2024

Manga and Anime Clubs: Best Practices, Challenges, Successes!
When: 1:45 PM – 2:35 PM PST
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, Panel Room: 511ABC
What: This panel discussion will explore the value of manga and anime clubs, their format, their challenges and successes. This session is perfect for educators, library workers, retailers, as well as readers and fans who are looking to start an anime or manga club in their community.

BLUE LOCK panel – Direct Shot into AX!
When: 01:00 PM – 01:50 PM PST
Where: JW Marriott, Panel Room: JW-Platinum
What: Join us in welcoming special guests Kazuki Ura (Voice of Isagi Yoichi), Megumu Tsuchiya (BLUE LOCK Manga Editor), and Ryoya Arisawa (BLUE LOCK Anime producer) to Los Angeles and learn more about their work on BLUE LOCK and the strikers in the making.

Nakaba Suzuki (The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse Mangaka) GoH Live Art and Q&A
When: 5:15 PM – 6:05 PM PST
Where: JW Marriott, Panel Room: JW-Platinum
What: Join Nakaba Suzuki, creator of The Seven Deadly Sins, for an exclusive manga panel and live art demo. Discover his creative process, inspirations, and journey in the manga industry. Whether a fan or aspiring artist, immerse yourself in the realm of manga creation alongside this esteemed Guest of Honor.

Sunday, July 7, 2024

Kodansha Presents Kamome Shirahama panel
When: 10:30 AM – 11:20 AM PST
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, Panel Room: 511ABC
What:  Kodansha is proud to present a special panel with Kamome Shirahama, the incredibly talented manga creator behind the all-ages epic fantasy series Witch Hat Atelier. Join us for what promises to be an enchanting experience featuring a live drawing, a Q&A session, and a showcase of the inspiration behind the upcoming Witch Hat Atelier animated series. Please note that photography and video recording during the panel are strictly prohibited. Seats will also be limited, so be sure to show up early for this must-see creator spotlight event!

Human Algorithm: Manga Recommendations from Manga Fans
When: 12:15 PM – 01:05 PM PST
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, Panel Room: 409AB
What: Looking for a new manga to get hooked on? In this session, our team of manga aficionados will be your own personal algorithm, taking cues from manga (or anime, or any media, really…) you’ve previously enjoyed, and giving personalized suggestions for new or under-the-radar manga series to check out!

How Is Manga Made? A Background Session for Educators and Librarians
When: 3:00 PM – 3:50 PM PST
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, Panel Room: 402AB
What: Why are the series so long? What’s with the eyes and the hair? A panel of industry pros will enrich your understanding of manga, discussing the history of the medium, similarities between manga and other comics traditions, and how the material conditions and production practices shape these stories.

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Stay tuned to this blog with even more updates from Kodansha during Anime Expo 2024