The U.S. editors of Weekly Shonen Jump will be making announcements, discussing SJ manga, and probably making fun of each other. And they'll be asking you what you think about various SJ topics. It'll all be recorded for the famous SJ Podcast! Plus, trivia and cool prizes!
Thursday July 21, 2016 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 5AB
UDON is celebrating another groundbreaking year of publishing the best of video games, anime, and manga from Japan and around the world. Come meet the artists and editors as they discuss this year's breakout hits and announce upcoming titles, including some big surprises you will definitely want to be the first to hear about! Plus: attendees will have a chance to win some of UDON's hottest new releases!
Thursday July 21, 2016 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 8
Come party with VIZ Media! And by party, we mean sit in a chair and listen to thrilling tales of upcoming releases and other Earth-shattering announcements from North America's largest distributor of manga and anime! VIZ Media has brought you thousands of your favorite titles, including huge hits like Naruto, Death Note, Sailor Moon, Ranma 1⁄2, Tokyo Ghoul, One-Punch Man and more! Warning: panel may include trivia, prizes, yelling, and probably some clapping.
Thursday July 21, 2016 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
UPDATED: Wed, Jul 13, 04:50PM It's one thing to cosplay at a con and draw fan art, but how can you turn your passion for manga, anime, and cosplay into a real career? Get the real deal on what it takes to make the leap from fan to pro from people who know what it takes to succeed, as well as the common pitfalls to avoid. Lillian Diaz-Pryzbyl (head of comics, Sparkler Monthly), Christopher Butcher (director, Toronto Comic Arts Festival), Mark DeVera (publishing sales manager, VIZ Media), Misaki C. Kido (marketing director, Kodansha Advanced Media), Mari Morimoto (translator, Naruto), Marlene First (editor, VIZ Media), Maria Victoria Robado (artist/letterer/ colorist, Jem) and possibly a surprise guest or two talk about how they turned their passion for manga, anime, and cosplay into a career and what they look for when they're hiring artists, writers, and editors. Discussion will be followed by a Q&A session moderated by Deb Aoki (Publishers Weekly,Anime News Network).
Thursday July 21, 2016 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
After a disastrous crash and recession in the late '00s, translated Japanese entertainment has come back, not as the bubble of the mid-'00s, but as a steady seller for the companies who survived the burst bubble. And more Japanese companies are becoming directly. But is everything as rosy as it seems? And what is it like to work in the industry? Panel moderator, former Animerica editor Julie Davis and an expert panel of freelancers and industry insiders talk about the craft of translated entertainment, share stories, and take audience questions. Panelists include Mari Morimoto (Naruto), Michael Gombos (director, international publishing and licensing, Dark Horse), Lillian Diaz-Przybyl (Princess Jellyfish), Stephen Paul (One Piece), and Mark Simmons (Gundam: The Official Guide).
Harmony Gold USA presents the latest developments in the Robotech universe, from awesome new products to the live-action film in the works at Sony Pictures with the producers of 300 and the director of Furious 7.
Thursday July 21, 2016 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
UPDATED: Wed, Jul 13, 04:51PM After a few years of fading fortunes, manga publishing is catching its second wind. More manga and light novels are hitting the shelves in bookstores and comic shops, and more titles than ever are available in digital formats the same day/date as in Japan. So have things truly turned around for Japanese comics in North America? Get a taste of what's hot, what's not, and what's next for manga in North America and Japan from top publishing pros, including Kurt Hassler (publisher and managing director, Yen Press), Michael Gombos (director of international publishing and licensing, Dark Horse Comics), Ben Applegate (associate director, publisher services, Penguin Random House), Erik Ko (chief of operations, Udon Entertainment), Stu Levy (TOKYOPOP) and possibly a surprise guest or two! Moderated by Deb Aoki (Publishers Weekly, Anime News Network).
Howl's Moving Castle is another visually spectacular tale of imagination from Hayao Miyazaki. Join Her Universe and Hot Topic for Studio Ghibli trivia, prizes, and a special screening of the enchanting film. Hosted by Her Universe founder Ashley Eckstein.
UPDATED: Fri, Jul 15, 05:11PM The story of Aang and Korra has ended in one form but continues in graphic novels and through the fans. Moderated by Avatar_Mom, the panel showcases fan talent and conversations with a panel of professionals from the series. Giancarlo Volpe (director, Avatar the Last Airbender, producer,Green Lantern the Animated Series), Aaron Ehasz (head writer, Avatar the Last Airbender), Alyana Moneda (costume artist) and Jack DeSena (voice actor, Sokka) share stories and marvel with the fandom. The panel also hosts a cosplay contest open to all levels of skill. Hopefuls must be in the panel room to be considered.
Saturday July 23, 2016 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 25ABC
Jessica Tseang (The Comic Book Girl/Girl on Geek) leads a spirited debate between a panel of experts: those who swear by manga, and those who are devoted to comics. Which is easier to get started? Are the characters more diverse in comics? Does plot really mean anything? Which sell more? Who has a better fandom? The questions can go on forever, but in the end: Which is better?
Saturday July 23, 2016 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 29AB
Meet Rafael Albuquerque (American Vampire, Blue Beetle), Jody Houser (Orphan Black), Rhianna Pratchett (Mirror's Edge), and most of the talent behind the Attack on Titan Anthology, the ambitious collaboration between the biggest manga hit of the decade and an all-star roster of comics creators, including Scott Snyder, Gail Simone, Phil Jimenez, Michael Avon Oeming, Faith Erin Hicks, and others. New art from the anthology will be revealed, along with a look at new comics from one of America's biggest manga publishers, and lots of free books and exclusive promo items.
Saturday July 23, 2016 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 8
The creative team behind VIZ Media's Pokémon Adventures manga, Hidenori Kusaka (writer) and Satoshi Yamamoto (artist), will lead this special panel presentation. Attendees will be treated to a sneak peek into this duo's unique working relationship and some insight into the process behind the creation of the bestselling manga based on the blockbuster Pokémon video games. Attendees will receive a limited-edition poster.
With more than 20 years of experience Japanese comicker Tsutomu Nihei has radically changed the perspective of manga globally. With his unique artistic designs and expansive worlds seen in works such as Biomega and Knights of Sidonia, he has redefined Japanese science fiction. To honor the rerelease of his groundbreaking work Blame!Nihei will sit down with his publishers Vertical and Kodansha for an interview, followed by a Q&A session with his many international fans.
Just getting into comics but not sure where to start? Some of the industry's biggest professionals draw on their vast comic knowledge and personally recommend series just right for you! David Steinberger (comiXology co-founder & CEO), G. Willow Wilson (Ms. Marvel), Calvin Reid (Publishers Weekly), Frank J. Barbiere (Avengers World, The Revisionist), and Deb Aoki (Publishers Weekly, Manga Comics Manga) become your guides through the awesome world of comics!
Saturday July 23, 2016 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
Visit the legendary manga publisher and media brand TOKYOPOP as they discuss their new titles and latest company updates. Featuring founder Stu Levy and the team.
Saturday July 23, 2016 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
UPDATED: Wed, Jul 13, 04:52PM There's a lot of manga available in English now, but what's really worth reading? A panel of opinionated bloggers, retailers, librarians, manga mavens, and comics curmudgeons spotlight the best new manga that hit the shelves in the past year. See them rave about their favorite continuing series. Watch them rant about the excruciatingly mediocre manga that they were forced to read (so you won't have to)! Find out what David Brothers (branding manager,Image Comics), Christopher Butcher (The Beguiling, Toronto Comic Arts Festival), Eva Volin (Alameda Free Library, NoFlyingNoTights), Brigid Alverson (Comic Book Resources, Robot 6) and Deb Aoki (MangaComicsManga,Anime News Network) loved and loathed to read in the past year, hear about their picks for the most anticipated upcoming releases for the fall and beyond, and discover their favorite underappreciated manga gems that are worth picking up.
Saturday July 23, 2016 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
VIZ Media is releasing the 200-episode classic Sailor Moon series for the first time on Blu-ray, with an all-new completely uncut and uncensored English dub. Members of the VIZ Animation team describe all the ins and outs of the production of this legendary anime series as well as news about the all new series Sailor Moon Crystal!
eigoMANGA's team of manga artists and animators will teach kids of all ages tutorials on manga illustrations and storytelling. Join this workshop with seasoned manga artist Mino Miyabi (The Voice of Innocence, 5D), and Austin Osueke (Vanguard Princess,Rumble Pak).
Sunday July 24, 2016 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 30CDE
