Ten events to catch at Anime Expo 2019
Anime Expo arrives this week, and it means cosplayers are working endlessly on their attire, and exhibitors are double checking their inventory. Aside from the new friends and memories being made, there's a plethora of things to do and see. Here are 10 events that will surely leave con-goers thrilled during the four day convention. Tickets for Anime Expo are still on sale to the general public here. The convention takes place from July 4 through July 7 inside the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California.
Thursday, July 4
So You Want To Be An Anime Voice Actor?
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Live Programming 1 - LACC Petree Hall
Do you have dreams of becoming a voice actor in anime? Well, this panel will feature some of the biggest names in the industry to give some tips for making that dream become a reality. Voice actors slated to appear on the panel are Xander Mobus (Mob Psycho 100), Cassandra Lee Morris (Sword Art Online), Michael Sinterniklaas, Kyle McCarley (Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans), Lisa Ortiz (Queen's Blade), Jamie Marchi (Fairy Tail), and Cherami Leigh (Sailor Moon Crystal).
VJ Got Us Fallin' In Love: Incorporating Anime Into Live Visuals
5:30pm - 6:30pm
Live Programming 4 - LACC 411
Over the years, a growing number of visual jockeys have been invading the con scene. This special panel discusses what it takes to become a VJ in today's market. Long Beach audio/visual group Averted Vision will be present to answer some burning questions.
Cosplay Wrestling Federation: AXtreme Rules (18 +)
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Live Programming 2 - JW Marriott Platinum Ballroom
Cosplay Wrestling Federation returns to Anime Expo with AXtreme Rules. Established in 2013, this federation has been featured at numerous conventions across the country, including MAGFest and Sakura-Con. Some of the wrestlers stepping foot in the ring that evening include Spicy Burrito, Skeletor, and Mario. The event, which is for attendees ages 18 and over, will be livestreamed on CWF's Twitch channel.
Friday, July 5
Fashion Show
12:30pm - 3:00pm
Live Programming 1 - LACC Petree Hall
This year's fashion show will feature popular brands h.NAOTO, Acryl CANDY, Metamorphose, and amnesiA¶mnesiA. If that's not enough, HYPLAND will showcase items from their BLEACH collaboration, and Hot Topic will debut a new collection. Michelle Nguyen Bradley (Hyper RPG's Rat Queens) will be the event's MC. Fans will have the chance to shop for items at The Annex @ Kentia Hall.
POC in Cosplay
4:30pm - 5:30pm
Live Programming 5 - LACC 404AB
Cosplayers Little Sprite Cosplay and Kiss A Frog Cosplay discuss the trials and tribulations of cosplaying as a person of color. From cultural appropriation to make up, nothing is off limits in this informative discussion.
Saturday, June 6
*New Game Premiere* by Former-CTO of Square Enix
11:30am - 12:30pm
Live Programming 3 - LACC 408 AB
Former Square Enix CTO Yoshihisa Hashimoto arrives to showcase the brand new game Technologia School of Magic. Produced through his company Life Is Tech, this RPG teaches players all about tech coding with the help of popular Disney characters. The game is set to launch sometime in the future.
Masquerade
8:00pm - 11:00pm
Main Events - LACC Hall B
For years, the Anime Expo Masquerade brought the best of cosplay and live performance. This year's event will choose World Cosplay Summit U.S. teams for both 2019 and 2020. To witness the action live, you'll need a ticket for this event along with a Saturday or four day badge. Tickets can be bought here.
Preview Screening & Panel: 'ZombieCON' the Movie
9:30pm - 11:30pm
Video 1 - JW Marriott Diamond Ballroom (A-D)
Forthcoming indie film ZombieCON will hold a special preview screening for Anime Expo attendees. The horror flick, which was produced by Big Squid Productions, revolves around cosplayers traversing a zombie infested Los Angeles. Several stars from the movie, including Melissa Jane Rodriguez and Punkie Johnson, will be on hand to discuss it following the screening.
Sunday, July 7
Making Doki Doki Literature Club
10:00am - 11:30am
Live Programming 2 - JW Marriott Platinum Ballroom
Released in 2017, Doki Doki Literature Club! quickly became one of the most talked about indie games of the year. While it looks like a typical cute visual novel, it manages to surprise players with its compelling storyline. Game creator Dan Salvato will be on hand to discuss everything about creating this praised game. If you haven't played this game, you can get it for free here.
Yoshihiro Ike: Anime Soundtrack World
12:30pm - 2:30pm
(Main Events - Hall B)
Since 1995, composer Yoshihiro Ike has been delivering beloved musical compositions for AIBOU: Tokyo Detective Duo, Kuroko's Basketball, and Tiger & Bunny. At Anime Expo, he's bringing his music to life with Yoshihiro Ike: Anime Soundtrack World, which features 50 musicians from Los Angeles and Nashville. For this live musical performance, you'll need a Sunday or Four Day badge and a separate ticket, which you can buy here.