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Anime Expo – SPINOFF CONVENTION COMING THIS NOVEMBER

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During the closing ceremonies, the SJPA thanked all attendees for coming to Anime Expo 2022 and introduced the very first ‘anime expo ontario’ in California.

Introduced as “anime expo” (all lower case letters), a smaller-scale spinoff convention that will allow fans an additional opportunity to celebrate Japanese pop culture this November in Ontario, California.

Smaller-Scale “anime expo” Focused on Exhibit Hall and Artist Alley to
be Hosted at Ontario Convention Center November 12-13, 2022

The event, which will be focused primarily on the exhibit hall and artist alley experience, will take place November 12-13, 2022 at the Ontario Convention Center; ticket sales will be announced in the upcoming months.

“Seeing our Anime Expo family once per year simply isn’t enough, which is why we’re incredibly excited to bring the brand-new ‘anime expo’ event to Ontario, California,[. . .]Anime Expo 2022 was a success, and we look forward to carrying that positive momentum into this smaller-scale show that provides a unique, more intimate opportunity for fans of Japanese pop culture to come together a second time this year.”

– Ray Chiang, CEO of SPJA

The first in-person Anime Expo since 2019 welcomed fans back to the Los Angeles Convention Center with over 1,000 hours of programming, including Japanese musical guests SG5 and Travis Japan, renowned DJs Steve Aoki and TeddyLoid, and Guests of Honor including Studio MAPPA CEO Manabu Otsuka and JUJUTSU KAISEN Script Writer Hiroshi Seko, as well as Ranking of Kings Director Yosuke Hatta and Animation Producer Maiko Okada of WIT Studio; Mika Akitaka, the creator of Anime Expo’s iconic mascot, MAX, also joined in the festivities in honor of the event’s 31st year.

Anime Expo will once again return in-person to the Los Angeles Convention Center next year from July 1-4. Ticket sales for Anime Expo 2023 will be announced in fall 2022. Ray added,

“After three long years away from the Los Angeles Convention Center, it was incredibly important to all of us at SPJA that our community be welcomed home with a truly unforgettable convention experience and, thanks to all the participants–including exhibitors (small and big alike), artists, industry and sponsors–and the incredibly hard work and dedication shown by each and every volunteer and staff member, we’re proud to say that this year’s show not only met, but exceeded our expectations. We can’t wait to show you what we have in store for next year!”

– Ray Chiang, CEO of SPJA
Los Angeles Convention Center two days before day zero

Anime Expo celebrated its 31st annual convention by returning to the Los Angeles Convention Center live and in-person, bringing together fans and industry professionals for the largest celebration of Japanese pop culture in North America. Hosted by The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA), the sold-out four-day convention saw attendees from over 70 countries descend upon the city of Los Angeles to generate an estimated positive economic impact of over $100 Million for local hotels and businesses. Anime Expo fans that were unable to attend Anime Expo 2022 also had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of AX virtually through Anime Expo Lite through Twitch and YouTube.

For more updates on anime expo Ontario, visit the official Anime Expo website.

Arson Incident at Anime Los Angeles | Suspect in Custody

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Anime conventions are no stranger to unexpected events, but early Sunday morning at approximately 1:30 AM, attendees of Anime Los Angeles, along with other guests at the Folk Inn Hotel in Ontario, CA, were startled awake by what was initially believed to be an active shooter situation.

However, it was later confirmed that the disturbance was not due to an active shooter but rather a deliberate act of arson, destroying seven vehicles.

Both the Folk Inn Hotel and its neighboring Azure Hotel & Suites were evacuated. According to eyewitness Nora Moto, who was staying at the Azure Hotel, hotel staff and residents knocked on doors, urging people to evacuate immediately. “People were panicking because they thought it was an active shooter,” Moto told The Kitsune Network. “The fire burst the tires, and people thought someone was shooting up the place.”

The false reports of an active shooter caused further panic, leading guests in the Azure Hotel lobby to flee into the streets. Some rushed toward the nearby Gateway Hotel, adjacent to the Ontario Convention Center, in an effort to escape what they believed was a life-threatening situation.

Suspect Arrested in Connection with the Fire

After the fire was extinguished, law enforcement detained a person of interest. According to a police officer at the scene, a witness saw an individual pouring gasoline on a vehicle before setting it on fire. The flames quickly spread to adjacent cars. The suspect then fled the scene in an unidentified vehicle, but not before a witness recorded the license plate number.

According to ABC 7 news:

“surveillance video[…]showed a man walk up to the main vehicle, pour two cans of gasoline all over it and then he flicked a match on it. The manager said the match didn’t start the fire, so the man in the video then pulled out his lighter to set the vehicle ablaze.”

The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Matt Masumi Toyotome, an Anime Los Angeles attendee, was later arrested at his Riverside home without incident. He is currently being held at the West Valley Detention Center on suspicion of arson, with bail set at $250,000.

Motive: A Years-Long Obsession

Sources indicate that Toyotome deliberately targeted a 2015 Subaru Outback belonging to fellow convention attendee Julia Moreno Jenkins, with whom he had been obsessed for years.

Jenkins’ Facebook profile photo

A friend of the victim, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that Toyotome had been harassing Jenkins for over three years. The two initially met while collaborating on a fan-made YouTube series called Armored Rangers, a project created by a group of Power Rangers fans.

During the production, Toyotome became infatuated with Jenkins, despite the fact that she had been in a long-term relationship since 2013. After the series ended, the group went their separate ways, but Jenkins remained active in the YouTube community and gained notable recognition within the Power Rangers fandom.

Escalating Harassment and a Disturbing Attack

Over time, Toyotome’s obsession escalated into jealousy and harassment. He allegedly repeatedly visited Jenkins’ home uninvited, left unsolicited gifts, and followed her at conventions.

While the specific trigger for the arson remains unclear, speculation suggests that Toyotome’s advances were firmly rejected by Jenkins during Anime Los Angeles 2019, potentially leading to the attack.

What’s left of Jenkins’ 2015 Subaru Outback; Although an eyewitness did see Matt pour gasoline to the car, Matt possibly bought gasoline from the adjacent, Quick Gasoline gas station.

Other Victims of the Fire

Jenkins was not the only victim of this incident. Several of the destroyed vehicles belonged to other Anime Los Angeles attendees, including Sabrina Snowdon, whose 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport was completely burned.

Photo provided to us by Sabrina

VIDEO FOOTAGE:

“I only had liability insurance, so my insurance will not cover me and I got it for $27,000. It was a really good working 2015 Subaru Outback. [. . .]I appreciate everyone who has helped be here for me during this ordeal, and thank you all for encouraging me to go through with starting a go fund me. I can’t say thank you enough for the cosplay community being so supportive and helpful to me in just every way.”

– Julia Jenkins via Go-FundMe

This shocking event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked obsession and harassment within fan communities.

Photos from the night after the fire

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