Anime Expo has long been the premier stage for the industry outside of Japan, and this year’s convention was no exception. Across four packed (and completely sold-out) days in Los Angeles, various anime studios, publishers, and creators unveiled new trailers, debuted highly anticipated first or second episodes, and announced everything from blockbuster sequels to ambitious original projects.
Whether it was Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 kicking off its next chapter, The Ghost in the Shell charting a bold new direction, or powerhouse studios pulling back the curtain on what’s next in their anime slate, there was no shortage of enticing reveals. If you couldn’t keep up with every panel, here’s a look at the biggest announcements from Anime Expo 2026.
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Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 was Anime Expo’s biggest event
Release date: Fall 2026
Where to watch: Netflix
Producers: CD Projekt Red and Studio Trigger
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is back with a whole new cast of characters just waiting to get lost in the unforgiving world of Night City. The first episode of Edgerunners 2 premiered during Anime Expo, so fans got to experience firsthand what’s in store for the next phase of one anime’s most heartbreaking stories, told this time through a very different lens. Early reviews suggest the new series is just as brutal as the last, offering interesting new perspectives on Night City. The series is set to release later this Fall.
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The Ghost in the Shell begins a new era
Release date: July 7, 2026
Where to watch: Prime Video
Producers: Science Saru, Bandai Namco Filmworks, Kodansha, and Production I.G.
Science Saru’s The Ghost in the Shell is one heck of a ride. Taking cues from the manga this go-around, series creators explained to Polygon at the event what drove them to elevate the franchise in a special way for a new audience, and early reviews already attest to its greatness. The mostly hand-drawn series is reported to be 10 episodes long, with the pilot already available to watch on Prime Video.
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Star Wars: Visions Presents — The Ninth Jedi graduates into its own series
Release date: August 5, 2026
Where to watch: Disney Plus and Hulu
Producers: Lucasfilm and Production I.G.
Arguably one of the best Star Wars: Visions episodes is finally getting the continuation it long deserved. Directing the new series is Shunsuke Tada with supervision from Kenji Kamiyama, the original creator of the series. Anime Expo attendees were lucky enough to see the first episode, teasing exciting new villains and swordplay. Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi premieres on August 5 on both Disney Plus and Hulu.
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Kagurabachi slashes onto the scene at Anime Expo
Release date: April 2027
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Producers: Cypic, Shochiku, and CyberAgent
It’s no surprise that one of the most exciting new anime slated to premiere on Crunchyroll next year stole the attention from most other announcements on Day 2 of Anime Expo. In celebration of its still ongoing world tour, Kagurabachi premiered 20 minutes of the first episode, which is set to release next year, wowing attendees with a flurry of stylistic katana action layered against a beautiful soundtrack. Get ready, Demon Slayer, because Kagurabachi might be next year’s anime to beat.
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The “Big Three” of modern fantasy all showed up
Release date: October 2027 (Frieren and Delicious in Dungeon), TBD (Witch Hat Atelier)
Where to watch: Crunchyroll (Frieren and Witch Hat Atelier), Netflix (Delicious in Dungeon)
Producers: Madhouse (Frieren), Bug Films (Witch Hat Atelier), Studio Trigger and Kadokawa (Delicious in Dungeon)
Anime Expo had some big surprises, but major reveals from the Big Three fantasy series weren’t shocking; it’s the long wait for their release that’s the killer. Fans got an early look at Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End season 3, continuing the quiet, emotionally resonant adventure that’s become one of the medium’s biggest critical darlings. Delicious in Dungeon’s long-awaited return was also confirmed for October 2027, bringing back Studio Trigger’s inventive blend of dungeon crawling, comedy, and heartfelt character drama. It was also revealed that Witch Hat Atelier season 2 is well underway, but an official debut date is still pending.
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Solo Leveling keeps getting bigger
Release date: 2027
Where to watch: Crunchyroll after global theatrical run
Producers: Crunchyroll, Aniplex, Netmarble, D&C Media, and Kakao Piccoma
It’s impossible to overstate just how massive Solo Leveling has become. Anime Expo proved the phenomenon isn’t slowing down, with the franchise confirming its next step after two hugely successful seasons. The series is heading to theaters first with a feature-length film titled Solo Leveling: Beyond the System. Produced by A-1 Pictures and directed by Tao Tajima, the upcoming project is slated for debut sometime in 2027.
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CloverWorks reminds everyone why it’s one of anime’s hottest studios with Grotesqqque
Release date: November 6, 2026 (Grotesqqque), January 2027 (The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn’t a Guy at All)
Where to watch: Crunchyroll after global theatrical run
Producers: CloverWorks and JOEN
Debuting its ambitious new original film Grotesqqque and rock-infused adaptation of The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn’t a Guy at All, CloverWorks showcased the incredible range that’s helped turn it into one of anime’s most reliable hitmakers. Paired with the studio’s already stacked portfolio of fan-favorite series continuations, like My Dress-Up Darling season 3, Bocchi the Rock! season 2, The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity season 2, CloverWorks has a lot of hype built around it and plenty of work on its hands.
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Steel Ball Run headlines Warner Bros.’ spate of upcoming projects
Release date: November 6, 2026 (Devil’s Crest), 2027 (Blade & Bastard)
Where to watch: Prime Video (Devil’s Crest), HIDIVE (Blade & Bastard)
Producers: Production I.G. (Devil’s Crest), Xingfu (Blade & Bastard)
Warner Bros. Japan used Anime Expo to celebrate 15 years of anime production, but the panel was just as focused on what comes next. New looks at upcoming projects, like Devil’s Crest and Blade & Bastard, were joined by major updates on JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run and the long-awaited new Fist of the North Star anime. Rather than hinging the presentation on a single announcement, Warner Bros. highlighted the breadth of its catalog. Devil’s Crest premieres on Prime Video in November, while Blade & Bastard is slated for release in 2027.
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WIT Studio looks toward anime’s future with LONA and new awards show
Release date: Spring 2027
Where to watch: TBA
Producers: WIT Studio
Although LONA (Laboratory of Optics and Neural Analysis) was announced several days before Anime Expo, the new series by Akiko Nogi slated for 2027 still dominated the WIT Studio panel as its next big series. Studio president George Wada also announced on stage at Anime Expo the Tokyo Anime Next festival, a new program intended “to judge, recognize, and give awards to anime in Japan, by the Japanese people,” he said. The festival is being organized alongside the Association of Japanese Animations (AJA) and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, with its inaugural event scheduled to take place in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro district from October 30 through November 2.
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Studio Trigger announces fourth collaboration between Hiroyuki Imaishi and Kazuki Nakashima
Release date: TBA
Where to watch: TBA
Producers: Studio Trigger
While Edgerunners 2 basked in the limelight, Studio Trigger also teased another project that marks the fourth collaboration between Hiroyuki Imaishi and Kazuki Nakashima, best known for Kill la Kill and Gurren Lagann. The duo has become synonymous with some of anime’s most bombastic and inventive original works, and their latest reunion immediately became one of Anime Expo’s most intriguing teases. While details remain scarce, the announcement alone was enough to excite fans eager to see what the pair will create next following 2019’s Promare.
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