Join AniPlex USA & SAO fans in this special exclusive screening of Sword Art Online: Alicization at The Montalbán!
The Montalbán located at: 1615 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028
In addition to this screening, SOA fan will be receiving a‘free gift and have the opportunity to purchase a variety of Sword Art Online merchandise, including new products of the upcoming season from Japan.’
For the 27th time, Anime Expo came back with full force from July 4th – July 8th drawing fans from 70 different countries. This year over 110,000 people attended Anime Expo, thats 2,342 more attendees than in Anime Expo 2017, making a local economic impact of $100 million to the city of Los Angeles.
Day -1 of Anime Expo 2018
Day -1 of Anime Expo 2018
Day -1 of Anime Expo 2018
Day -1 of Anime Expo 2018
Although Anime Expo went off without a hitch, there were a few slight inconveniences.
Before Anime Expo even began, they were altered to a possible threat made against AX and its attendees. According to Anime New Network, the threat was made by a man who allegedly stated via text, “These cons are due for a high school shooting, by a high school kidd [sic]. I’m working on a case at the moment. Shit u [sic] not.” although he did not specifically stated Anime Expo as a target, Anime Expo responded by promptly by ‘alerting local law enforcement to take appropriate actions in accordance with their procedures.‘ in a statement the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) said:
“Just as in 2017, we are working with security teams and local law enforcement, including K9 teams and traffic control officers, to maintain the safety of our event. Additionally, as previously announced, we are utilizing RFID badges for AX this year and will have security checks at each entrance. We encourage attendees to check our mobile app and maps to get familiarized with the various designated entrances.”
Thankfully, AX came and went without incident. Although the seriousness of this threat wasn’t felt among con goers; With public shootings happening all over the country on a daily basis, ‘indirect’ threats such as these, should NOT be taken with grain of salt. Though it may be a slight inconvenience, security checks at AX do their job by preventing such incidents to ever happen. If you would like to read more details on this situation please read Anime News Network’s article here.
Moving on to more lighter but heated topics:
Los Angeles suffered a huge heat wave during day 2 & day 3 of Anime Expo with temperatures reaching up to 108°. Although the convention center had functioning air conditioning, outside the heat was unbearable. Mailing AX badges eliminated “LineCon” or the long tedious, on-site registration line. Attendees were still not happy about waiting in line to get inside the convention center due to bag checks. Attendees also took to social to suggest that Anime Expo should cap their tickets due to overcrowding.
Do agree that Anime Expo should cap their badges? leave a comment below, we’d love to hear your opinions.
Be as it may, the heatwave was no match for hard working, determined cosplayers, whom in the middle of the scorching sun, went all out in their cosplays. Check these awesome cosplays:
Photo credit: Mystic Taku
Photo credit: Mystic Taku
Best cosplay of AX 2018?
We interviewed some of these wonderful cosplayers and this is what they had to say, about why they attended Anime Expo 2018 and how we dealt with the heat weave:
Before I jump on to a different topic, a HUGE shoutout to these guys at Alove yogurt, who, in the middle of the scorching sun, passed out these delicious yogurts to con goers
Thanks guys! (Peach Flavor was the best!)
In addition to the 110K attendees, over 150 guests and industry made appearances including, Go Nagai, Hiromi Wakabayashi, Mari Okada, Sean Danconia, Santa Inoue, and SUSHIO. Booths also held guest appearances as with, Project Sekai who had Nekopara’s creator, Sayori in attendance for fan autographs.
Since taking photos of Sayori was prohibited, here’s her signature dedicated to me, Krystal.
The Exhibit & Entertainment Halls also featured more than 524 Exhibitors (74 Exhibitors more than AX 2017) Among them was AnimePls, a new Anime brand that is dedicated to bringing you exclusive merchandise from various anime series including: Hatsune Miku, Attack On Titan, Yugioh, My Hero Academia & Aggretsuko! Check their booth from AX 2018.
Check them out at: Animepls.com
AnimePls has licensed all these series, so far!
Near the end of Anime Expo; Funimation and LootCrate collaborated on an AX Afterparty held at the Globe Theater in Downtown Los Angeles during the night of Day 3.
FunimationXSonicBoomBoxXLootCrate AX After Party!
Attendees able to receive a free goodie bag which contained Loot Crate exclusives
There were so many things that went down at this year’s anime. From newly produced anime series to exclusive Anime Expo events and merchandise. If you missed out this year, don’t worry, Anime Expo will be back in 2019! Tickets are now on sale! For now enjoy our entire Anime Expo 2018 photoset:
Day -1 of Anime Expo 2018
Day -1 of Anime Expo 2018
Day -1 of Anime Expo 2018
Day -1 of Anime Expo 2018
Day -1 of Anime Expo 2018
Day -1 of Anime Expo 2018
Day -1 of Anime Expo 2018
Day -1 of Anime Expo 2018
Day -1 of Anime Expo 2018
Day 1 of Anime BrExpo 2018
The Entertainment Hall
The Entertainment Hall – OVERWATCH booth
FATE: Grand Order VR booth
FATE: Grand Order VR booth
Feel like playing Kingdom Hearts III?
Feel like playing Kingdom Hearts III?
Brought to you by, Arby’s
Brought to you by, Arby’s
Brought to you by, Arby’s
Filming for our AX video
Brought to you by, Arby’s
My assistant, Vincent
My assistant, Vincent
Back to you, buddy.
BTS – Deku Inter.
Mystic Taku as Casual Deku
BTS – Deku Inter.
Interviewing Aggretsuko
Why would you toss fapping paper away?
Not really that packed…
…or maybe…
………
……..
FunimationXSonicBoomBoxXLootCrate AX After Party!
SWAG BAGS!
Me in my Astolfo Cosplay. Check out my cosplay page here: Facebook.com/ThaTrapArtist
Me in my Astolfo Cosplay. Check out my cosplay page here: Facebook.com/ThaTrapArtist
Me in my Astolfo Cosplay. Check out my cosplay page here: Facebook.com/ThaTrapArtist
Me in my Astolfo Cosplay. Check out my cosplay page here: Facebook.com/ThaTrapArtist
How did Disney celebrate? By making ‘The Big Donut’ come to life!
CR&A Custom, Inc, Disney & Randy’s Donuts all collaborated in making ‘The Big Donut’ a reality. The fantastic graphic was made and printed by CR&A Custom, Inc and was displayed at famous Randy’s Donuts in Inglewood, California near LAX.
‘The Big Donut’ came to life!
During this ‘event’ Disney also celebrated of the one-year anniversary of Zootopia & had a FACEBOOK LIVE Q&A with Nate Torrance (Clawhauser) and Oscar®-winning director Rich Moore at Randy’s!
Although we did not personally cover the Q&A session, we did decide to go down there and cover this fantastic anniversary. Naturally, I cosplayed none other than…
JUDY HOPPS!
Huge Zootopia donut, LIVE Q&A; What else was there, you ask? How about:
The Big Donut’s Donut!
The donut reads “The Big Donut”
There were two different types: Glaced & Sprinkled
For those who don’t know, “The Big Donut” was actually inspired by Randy’s Donuts. Over the past decades, Randy’s Donuts has been known as a famous landmark & film location. its known to have been featured (On location/cameo) in various famous scenes from several successful Hollywood movies/TV Shows such as:
Californication, Iron Man 2, Mars Attacks!, Earth Girls Are Easy & Zootopia
The ‘The Big Donut’ banner is, unfortunately, no longer up for display. We unsure if they will ever put it back up, however If you didn’t get a chance to see it, take a look here:
Maybe when ZOOTOPIA 2 comes out, it’ll go back up again…
Check out our awesome video on this fantastic event!
Next time you’re in Cali or live nearby, hop on by Randy’s Donuts, you won’t be disappointed. …er squished by a huge donut.
Have you heard of BROKEN SPIRITS? A new SyFy film produced by voice actor, Stephen Weese! Featuring voice actor stars:
Vic Mignogna, Richard Epcar, Spike Spencer and Cristina Vee!
This film came to our attention in March of this year, during our interview with Cristina Vee, since then, we’ve interviewed film producer, Stephen Weese, where he gave us some insight on the film and its wonderful cast! Check out the interview:
RED CARPET PREMIERE!
BROKEN SPIRITS, will have a red carpet premiere at Anime Los Angeles 2017 at the Ontario Convention Center!
Red carpet (2pm)
Full feature screening (2:30-4pm)
Q&A with cast members including Richard Epcar and Cristina Vee (4-5)
Special giveaway of unique items and props (4pm)
ALA special event Broken Spirits poster and signing (5-6pm)
For the 27th time, Anime Expo came back with full force from July 4th – July 8th drawing fans from 70 different countries. This year over 110,000 people attended Anime Expo, thats 2,342 
