Japanese anime and manga are more mainstream in the United States now than ever before. One Punch Man, Naruto, My Hero Academia, and so many others are gaining a devoted fan base. Thankfully, San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) is hosting a whole slew of anime-related panels to accommodate fans of the genre.
Now, you may already have a jam-packed schedule, but we promise there is something for everyone each day of the convention. So, here’s a list of anime/manga panels you don’t want to miss.
Viz Media Industry Panel
- Where: Room 7AB
- Date: Thursday, July 19, 2018
- Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Viz Media, home to acclaimed shows like My Hero Academia, One-Punch Man, and Sailor Moon, will dominate the anime track at San Diego Comic-Con, so fans might as well indulge. Their industry panel is a favorite among anime fans for being fun, informative, and full of giveaways and prizes. If you want the latest scoop on what’s new at Viz Media, then don’t miss this panel.
Shonen Jump Panel
- Where: Room 6DE
- Date: Sunday, July 22, 2018
- Time: 11:15 p.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Shōnen Jump magazine is popular in America now that Viz Media publishes it weekly. The magazine includes a broad spectrum of manga including My Hero Academia, One Piece, Dragon Ball Super, and Tokyo Ghoul to name a few. Creator Kohei Horikoshi (My Hero Academia) and Team Jump will chat about their love of manga and favorite Jump series. They’ll also be giving away some awesome prizes.
My Hero Academia Panel
- Where: Room 6A
- Date: Thursday, July 21, 2018
- Time: 11:15 p.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Rounding out the Viz Media panels is My Hero Academia featuring creator Kohei Horikoshi. The story follows Izuku Midoriya as he navigates life at U. A. High School — a training school for the next generation of superheroes. Panel guests include voice actors Justin Briner (Deku) and Christopher Sabat (All Might) who will join Kohei Horikoshi as he performs a special live drawing of one of the characters. If you’re a fan, you’re not going to want to miss this.
Manga Intro for Comic Fans
- Where: Room 28DE
- Date: Thursday, July 21, 2018
- Time: 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Are you an avid comic book reader who’s also interested in learning about manga? Want to know which titles are the best for a beginner? Then look no further because Comixology is here to help! Moderators Matt Kolowski and Kiersten Wing chat with long-time manga readers and experts about their favorites and recommendations. If you’re a comic reader, maybe you can suggest some comic titles and help panelists bridge the gap between comic book and manga readers.
Manga Publishing Industry Roundtable
- Where: Room 29AB
- Date: Thursday, July 19, 2018
- Time: 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Manga readership in the U.S. continues to soar as more books become available in comic shops, bookstores, and through digital formats. Additionally, a heightened interest in anime has driven viewers to the shelves to buy their favorite titles. This panel is the perfect place to learn about manga publishing and trends from top professionals in the industry. Want to publish manga? Then, this panel is where it’s at!
Funimation Industry Panel
- Where: Room 29AB
- Date: Thursday, July 19, 2018
- Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Fans dedicated to anime will get the latest news, info, and announcements from the largest anime distributor in North America, Funimation Films. Learn the inner workings of the company, how they acquired beloved titles like Akira and Dragon Ball Z, and their plans for the future.
Crunchyroll Industry Panel
- Where: Room 7AB
- Date: Saturday, July 21, 2018
- Time: 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
In February 2017, Crunchyroll passed one million paid subscribers, which makes sense when you consider the variety of content streamed on the site — including anime, Asian dramas, manga, and more. Also, you may find select Crunchyroll titles distributed through its partner company Funimation. To hear about all the latest and greatest anime releases, come to this panel where attendees will receive a special gift. (Let’s hope it’s a new season of Yuri on Ice.)
