If you’re even a little bit into anime, you probably know that Anime Expo is basically the biggest event outside of Japan. This year’s AX took over Los Angeles during Fourth of July weekend, and it did not disappoint. We got huge franchise updates, sequels we’ve been begging for, surprise adaptations, and a ton of publisher news that’s going to keep the fandom buzzing well into next year.
Between Crunchyroll’s headline-grabbing panel and all the reveals from VIZ, Square Enix, and TOKYOPOP, it seemed as though everyone was trying to outdo each other. There was a big focus on classic franchises, shōjo and josei adaptations (finally!), and just the overall sense that anime is only getting bigger worldwide.
Major Anime Announcements
- Dr. Stone: Science Future Part 3
- According to a report from Beebom, Dr. Stone: Science Future Part 3 has been confirmed and is scheduled to broadcast in April 2026. We’re heading into the endgame, and Senku’s wild science adventures are about to wrap up just like in the manga. They even dropped some new visuals. It looks like it’s going to be an emotional ride.
- Trigun Stargaze Announced
- Studio Orange dropped the news that Trigun Stargaze is happening—a direct sequel to Trigun Stampede. So, the reimagined Trigun universe isn’t done with us yet. They’re keeping the darker vibes and those wild character changes from Stampede. Not gonna lie, this was one of the biggest things people were freaking out about at AX.
- Fire Force Season 3 Officially Revealed
- Fire Force Season 3 is finally real after what feels like forever. The new season is going to cover the last arcs from the manga, and it’s coming out in split cours. Basically, we’re actually getting a proper ending this time instead of being left hanging.
Excited yet?
- Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc
- Black Butler fans, we’re eating! The Emerald Witch Arc is getting animated and dropping in 2025. After years of begging for a proper manga adaptation, it’s finally happening. Black Butler is officially back and as popular as ever.
- Blue Exorcist Continuation Announced
- Blue Exorcist is keeping the comeback going with even more anime on the way. They showed off new trailers and visuals, which is wild considering how all over the place the adaptation schedule has been for years.
- Solo Leveling Season 2 Teased
- Solo Leveling Season 2 got teased at Crunchyroll’s panel, and even though we don’t have a date yet, just knowing it’s coming was enough to get everyone hyped. After how wild Season 1 was, who isn’t ready for more Jinwoo?
- Yakuza Fiancé Gets an Anime Adaptation
- OYakuza Fiancé getting an anime was a huge win for shōjo and romance fans. The manga’s already super popular. It’s nice to see romance stories that aren’t just set in high school for once. Special Anime Screenings and First Looks
Anime Expo 2024 also hosted several exclusive screenings and early previews, including:
- Fuuto PI: The Portrait of Kamen Rider Skull — exclusive footage from the upcoming anime film
- First-look previews for upcoming romantic and supernatural series
- Sneak peeks at in-production titles set to debut in late 2024 and 2025
Major Manga and Publishing Announcements
- New Naruto One-Shot by Masashi Kishimoto
- VIZ Media dropped the bomb that we’re getting a brand-new Naruto one-shot from Kishimoto himself. This was easily one of the most talked-about manga announcements at the con. Naruto’s still got it, even after all these years.
- Soul Eater NOT! Perfect Edition
- Square Enix is giving Soul Eater NOT! the deluxe treatment with a Perfect Edition—think updated translations, new covers, and fancy formatting. Clearly, everyone wants their favorite classics to look good on the shelf these days.
- Manga Deluxe Editions and Box Sets
- VIZ is also rolling out more deluxe and box set releases—Chainsaw Man fans, you’re getting even more to collect. It’s pretty clear manga is here to stay as a bookshelf staple, not just something you read and toss.
- New Manga Licenses and English Releases
- Square Enix, TOKYOPOP, and a bunch of other publishers announced a ton of new English licenses—romance, fantasy, slice-of-life, you name it. Even if you don’t recognize every title, it’s insane how much manga is getting brought over these days.
- TOKYOPOP Panel Exclusives
- TOKYOPOP showed off a bunch of upcoming releases and con-only previews, especially for shōjo, romance, and webtoon-inspired stuff. It’s obvious they’re putting more energy into female-driven stories and creators from all over.
Franchise Panels and Industry Highlights
Aside from formal announcements, Anime Expo 2024 featured major panels that offered new trailers, cast appearances, and inside looks for ongoing franchises, including:
- My Hero Academia
- BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War (Part 3 preview)
- Blue Box anime adaptation first look.
- Bocchi the Rock! events and cast appearances
- Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League footage reveals
These panels didn’t always announce new titles, but they greatly influenced fan expectations for upcoming releases.
Final Thoughts: What Anime Expo 2024 Revealed About the Industry
If there’s one thing AX 2024 made clear, it’s that anime right now is all about finishing stories, keeping fan favorites going, and branching out into new territory.
Long-running series like Dr. Stone, Fire Force, and Black Butler are being given proper endings or faithful continuations. At the same time, romance and shōjo-adjacent titles like Yakuza Fiancé are finally receiving mainstream anime adaptations. Manga publishers are doubling down on premium releases, acknowledging manga’s permanence in global pop culture.
Anime Expo isn’t just a big party for fans anymore; it’s where we actually get to see what’s next for anime and manga, straight from the source.
