Anime Expo 2026: The Biggest Announcements and What They Mean — Jul 17, 2026 | AnimeDives

Anime Expo 2026: The Biggest Announcements and What They Mean

Anime Expo 2026 wrapped its four-day run on July 5 in Los Angeles, and the reveal slate was one of the densest in the convention's history. Crunchyroll headlined with more than ten new announcements, and panels from Aniplex, Warner Bros. Japan, Netflix, VIZ, and Kodansha filled out the calendar for the rest of 2026 and into 2027.

The headline reveals

The biggest surprises came from franchises fans have tracked for years. Here's what actually moved the needle at AX2026:

Announcement	Studio / Publisher	What it is
Solo Leveling: Beyond the System	A-1 Pictures	First theatrical film, post-Season 2
STEEL BALL RUN	(TBA)	Long-awaited JoJo part 7 adaptation
Witch Hat Atelier Season 2	(TBA)	Sequel to 2026's breakout fantasy debut
Ghost of Tsushima: Legends	(TBA)	Anime adaptation of the multiplayer mode
Black Clover Season 2	Studio Pierrot	Final-saga anime return
Kagurabachi	(TBA)	Hit Jump manga finally gets animated

What Solo Leveling's movie tells us

Solo Leveling: Beyond the System is the franchise's first feature film, animated by A-1 Pictures and continuing after Season 2. The teaser visual and concept video confirm the studio is treating the property as a theatrical franchise, not just a TV hit. For a series that defined the post-2023 isekai-action wave, a movie debut signals confidence in the brand's global pull.

The 2026-2027 pipeline

AX2026 wasn't just about what's coming this year. The expo confirmed a slate stretching into 2027, including adaptations, original anime projects, and theatrical releases. Crunchyroll's dominance at the show — ten-plus announcements — reinforces how much of the Western licensing calendar runs through a single Sony-owned service.

Why this matters for viewers

The takeaway for fans is simple: the second half of 2026 and all of 2027 are already crowded. If you're behind on Witch Hat Atelier (our 2026">best fantasy anime of 2026 covers why it broke out), Kagurabachi, or Black Clover (see the 2026-anime-complete-preview">Fall 2026 complete preview), the anime is about to make catching up urgent. The convention floor has effectively become the launchpad for the next two years of anime.