If you were anywhere near Los Angeles this July, you probably heard the hype around Anime Expo 2025. This year’s lineup was absolutely packed. Think long-awaited sequels, surprise anime adaptations, and some wild manga licensing news. It felt like a major breakthrough, especially if you’re into classic franchises or those big, fancy manga adaptations everyone’s been begging for.
Here’s the full rundown of every major anime and manga announcement from AX 2025, broken down so you don’t miss a thing.
Major Anime Announcements
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End – Season 2
Frieren fans, we finally got the first official trailer for Season 2! After the first season basically took over everyone’s watchlist, the new trailer dropped, confirming we’re getting more in January 2026. Crunchyroll’s got the simulcast, so no FOMO. The trailer doubled down on all the feels, character growth, and that slow-burn vibe that made the show so special in the first place.
Black Clover – Anime Continuation Confirmed
Black Clover stans, rejoice! Following what seemed like forever in hiatus limbo, the anime is officially coming back. No exact date yet, but the new visuals and production updates basically scream, ‘Yes, we’re really doing this.’ The crowd went absolutely feral when they announced it. Easily one of the loudest moments all weekend.
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- – Season 4
Re:ZERO is back for Season 4! We got a teaser trailer and confirmation that it’s dropping in 2026. The panel hinted at even darker storylines and more emotional chaos for Subaru (because of course). Crunchyroll’s got the streaming rights, so get ready for more pain.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation – Season 3
Mushoku Tensei fans got a Season 3 teaser and a shiny new key visual, confirming the story’s going even deeper into the source material. The staff talked up more character growth and some big mood shifts coming our way.
BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – Part 4: The Calamity
BLEACH fans, we’re eating again. Studio Pierrot dropped a new key visual for TYBW Part 4, now officially called The Calamity. The panel teased some extra anime-only content and promised they’re actually taking their time with the final arc this round. Looks like we’re aiming for a 2026 release.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run
Steel Ball Run is finally happening! We got new visuals and some staff reveals, and the panel didn’t shy away from talking about how intense it is to adapt that unique art style and the huge American setting. They’re treating this one like a prestige project, and it shows.
The Ghost in the Shell – New TV Anime
Ghost in the Shell is getting a brand-new TV anime in 2026, and the logo reveal (by Hajime Sorayama, no less) looked amazing. This isn’t just another sequel—it’s a whole new take on the franchise.
Daemons of the Shadow Realm (Hiromu Arakawa)
Hiromu Arakawa’s Daemons of the Shadow Realm is getting the full anime treatment! Masahiro Ando is directing, and the teaser leaned hard into the world-building and contrast themes. If you’re a Fullmetal Alchemist fan, this one’s already on your radar.
Gachiakuta – World Premiere
Gachiakuta got its world premiere at AX, with the first two episodes and a Q&A with the creators. The gritty look and nonstop action have already earned it a reputation as one of the most hyped new shōnen adaptations.
Manga Announcements & Publishing News
Kodansha USA – New Licenses
Kodansha USA came through with a bunch of new English manga licenses, including:
- OMORI manga adaptation
- Shugo Chara! 20th Anniversary Edition
- New print editions of MARS
- Multiple BL and specialty titles
- A premium Ghost in the All of these are dropping in Spring 2026, so be sure to save the date. 2026 releases.
Square Enix Manga & Art Books
Square Enix is not playing around—they announced seven new manga licenses, plus some gorgeous art books and game tie-ins like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Material Ultimania. It’s clear they’re going all-in on fancy print releases for fans outside Japan.
Rooster Fighter – Anime Sneak Peek
VIZ Media also dropped an exclusive sneak peek at the Rooster Fighter anime. It’s not a full announcement, but it’s proof that this cult-favorite manga adaptation is way further along than anyone guessed.
Industry & Platform Announcements
Manga MIRAI Digital Platform
One of the biggest surprises was the launch of Manga MIRAI, a new digital manga platform that’s all about making manga easier to access worldwide and cutting down on all the messy, fragmented legal stuff. It’s a team-up between publishers, not just another rival.
Streaming, Panels, and Franchise Spotlights
While not all panels included brand-new announcements, several major franchises had a strong presence:
- Demon Slayer celebrated franchise milestones with cast appearances and retrospectives.
- Netflix showcased Sakamoto Days and The Summer Hikaru Died.
- Hulu hosted its immersive Animayhem City experience featuring Naruto, Bleach, Dan Da Dan, and more.
All of this just proves that Anime Expo isn’t just about the announcements—it’s a full-on celebration of how huge anime has gotten around the world.
Final Thoughts: Anime Expo 2025
If I had to sum up Anime Expo 2025, it was all about big plans and even bigger confidence. Instead of just dropping surprise after surprise, the industry used this year to show they’re in it for the long haul—more sequels, more thoughtful adaptations, and way better access for fans everywhere.
With huge releases lined up all the way into 2026 and beyond, AX 2025 made it clear: anime isn’t going anywhere. If anything, it’s just getting started.
