Aniplex has a tradition of bringing big name guests to Anime Expo, and this year is no different. For 2022, they have Kaguya-sama: Love is War, Sword Art Online, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Disney's Twisted-Wonderland, and Fate/Grand Order on tap. Even better, they have Japanese guests, which if you've looked at conventions nowadays, have been in short supply due to the state of the world.
The third season of Kaguya-sama: Love is War is titled "Ultra Romantic," and Aoi Koga, better known as the voice of Kaguya Shinomiya, along with producer Tatsuya Ishikawa, will be in attendance at this panel. If you haven't read or watched Kaguya-sama, think of it as two tsudere characters who love each other but don't want to show it. They do their best to get the other to confess or otherwise show affection first, hence the war.
This will take place in Hall B on July 1 (Day 1) at 130PM
Sword Art Online was first conceived by author Reki Kawahara almost twenty years ago, and this year marks the tenth anniversary of the anime incarnation. English voice actors Bryce Papenbrook and Cherami Leigh will make their way to Los Angeles for this special event.
The 10th Anniversary celebration takes place on July 1 (Day 1) at 430PM in Petree Hall.
On Day 2, things kick up a notch with the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba anime's third anniversary. The manga may have ended but the anime is still going strong. The third season, which picks up with the Swordsmith Village arc, is currently estimated for either a late 2022 or 2023 release. Natsuki Hanae, voice of Tanjiro Kamado, and producer Yuma Takahashi, will be at the Anime Expo event.
Demon Slayer's Third Anniversary Celebration takes place on July 2 (Day 2) at 1PM in Hall B
Disney's Twisted-Wonderland mobile game was developed alongside Aniplex and released in Japan back in 2020, and earlier this year in English. Natsuki Hanae, voice of Riddle Roseheart, will be in attendance for this panel. If you're not familiar with Twisted-Wonderland, it's a gacha game with a lot of new characters based on various characters from Disney's many movies. Gameplay is part rhythm, part adventure, and you'll be surrounded by a lot of bishounen characters.
The Twisted-Wonderland panel will take place on July 2 (Day 2) at 530PM in Petree Hall.
Day 3 will have Aniplex's mainstay franchise, Fate/Grand Order, on display. This is the game's fifth anniversary in English. It may have lost some steam to competitors in recent years but it still has a very dedicated fanbase. English localization producer Albert Kao and second section directionr Kanou Yoshiki will be in attendance at the panel.
The Fate/Grand Order 5th Anniversary Celebration will take place on July 3 (Day 3) at 3PM in Petree Hall. This panel will be streamed for those who cannot make it to the convention.
Finally, rounding things out, is the Aniplex of America Industry Panel. Expect a lot of announcements and release dates for some of Aniplex's various projects.
The industry panel will take place right after the Fate/Grand Order celebration on July 3 (Day 3) at 5PM in Petree Hall.
As you can see, Aniplex has a lot of programming in Hall B and Petree Hall. These are the two biggest rooms in the convention center, which is a sign of just how popular Aniplex and its franchises are. Fans of any of the above franchises would do well to seek out a seat inside.
