Anime Expo 2026 Day 1 Reveals Trailers, Premieres, and Panels
The breadth of Day 1 announcements, from major sequels to new IP premieres, signals that studios and distributors are using Anime Expo as a primary launch platform for their 2026-2027 slates.
Reporting from 2 sources: Anime News Network, Anime Corner.
Anime Expo 2026 kicked off on July 2 with a packed Day 1 schedule featuring dozens of new trailers, visuals, and announcements across multiple panels. The day included an early screening of Crunchyroll's "The Exiled Heavy Knight Knows How to Game the System," the U.S. first look at "Echoes from Aincrad" from Bandai Namco, and the North American premiere of "Hell Mode" Season 2 from HIDIVE. Aniplex of America held its industry panel, while Square Enix Manga & Books presented its lineup. The girl group cosmosy announced new music for this summer. Panels also covered "Mushoku Tensei Season 3" with an exclusive premiere, Disney+'s "Dragon Striker," and "Gachiakuta Season 2." The TBS Anime Special Panel featured a producer talk on "Takopi's Original Sin" and an upcoming anime showcase. The event continues through the weekend at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Anime Expo 2026 opened its doors on July 2 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, with Day 1 dominated by panels from Crunchyroll, Aniplex of America, Bandai Namco, HIDIVE, Square Enix Manga & Books, and TBS Anime. Crunchyroll offered an early screening of "The Exiled Heavy Knight Knows How to Game the System" and a first look at "Smoking Behind the Super Market With You." Bandai Namco debuted "Echoes from Aincrad," a new project tied to the Sword Art Online universe, while HIDIVE premiered "Hell Mode" Season 2. The girl group cosmosy, a rising four-piece Japanese act, announced a summer music release. Square Enix Manga & Books held its industry panel, and the TBS Anime Special Panel included a producer talk on "Takopi's Original Sin" alongside an upcoming anime showcase. The day also featured panels on "Mushoku Tensei Season 3," Disney+'s "Dragon Striker," and "Gachiakuta Season 2." Coverage was sponsored by Yen Press.
- The Exiled Heavy Knight Knows How to Game the System: Early screening by Crunchyroll
- cosmosy: Rising four-piece Japanese girl group, new music this summer
- This Monster Wants to Eat Me, and I Want to Love You Till Your Dying Day: Panel
- Echoes from Aincrad: U.S. first look preview by Bandai Namco
- An Unanswered//butterfly: U.S. first look preview
- Square Enix Manga & Books Industry Panel: Industry panel
- Mushoku Tensei Season 3: Exclusive premiere
- Dragon Striker: Inside the world of Disney+ series
- Living in a World Without Magic: Panel
- Aniplex of America Industry Panel: Industry panel
- Hell Mode 2nd Season: North American premiere by HIDIVE
- Gachiakuta Season 2: Panel
- The (Psychic) Power of BL with Cherry Magic! Creator Yuu Toyota: Square Enix Manga panel
- Unveiling Kodansha's Latest Manga: Panel
- The World's Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat Season 2: Early screening by Crunchyroll
- Smoking Behind the Super Market With You: Screening first look
- Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi: First look
- Takopi's Original Sin: Producer talk and upcoming anime showcase at TBS Anime Special Panel
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- Anime News Network All the News and Reviews from Anime Expo 2026
- Anime Corner 🔴LIVE: Anime Expo 2026 Day 1 - All the Major News & Announcements