Since its inception in 1992, Anime Expo has become one of the most popular conventions in the world, with hundreds of thousands of fans pouring into Los Angeles each year for the event. This year was no different, and from July 2-5, the anime industry once again used the convention as one of its biggest stages for trailers, release dates, renewals, and major franchise updates.
Anime Expo 2026’s biggest announcements range from new anime series to high-profile trailers, and with so many reveals packed into four days, fans had plenty to keep track of.
The Apothecary Diaries Drops Movie Trailer & Release Date
Toho Animation hosted a variety of panels at Anime Expo 2026, including a The Apothecary Diaries-focused event on Friday night in Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater. During this event, the studio had two major reveals regarding The Apothecary Diaries‘ upcoming film — a new teaser trailer and its Japanese release date of December 11, 2026.
According to the trailer, The Apothecary Diaries movie will revolve around Maomao and Jinshi’s trip to the southern lands, where they’ll seek to return the remains of a concubine who passed away in the Imperial Palace. Along the way, the duo uncovers a mystery that includes pirates, hidden treasure, and a bit of romance, making this one of the most exciting announcements from Anime Expo this year.
Black Clover Season 2 Trailer 3 Officially Debuts
Anime Expo 2026 hosted several exclusive previews, including the first episode of Black Clover‘s long-awaited return from hiatus. However, in addition to showing the first episode of Black Clover Season 2, the popular shonen anime also released an official trailer for the upcoming season, giving fans around the world a glimpse of the series’ new-and-improved animation.
Black Clover‘s animation never looked bad compared to its competition, but it’s clear that the franchise’s hiatus has given Studio Pierrot the time it needed to come back with a vengeance. Asta, Noelle, and the rest of the Black Bulls look better than ever, so all eyes will be on the series when it returns in October 2026.
Delicious in Dungeon Season 2 Announces Release Date
Two years have passed since the conclusion of Delicious in Dungeon Season 1. Now, fans of the fantasy cooking anime finally have more content to look forward to, as TRIGGER announced the release date for Delicious in Dungeon Season 2 at the studio’s Anime Expo 2026 panel.
Although the release of Delicious in Dungeon‘s sophomore effort is still over a year away (October 2027), it’s still great news for fans of the franchise.
Crunchyroll Reveals Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Streaming Arrival
Demon Slayer‘s popularity has made it a mainstay at major conventions, and Anime Expo 2026 was no different. The series hosted its own Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle panel at this year’s event, during which it confirmed the Crunchyroll streaming date for the film.
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle will release on July 28, finally bringing the series to a streaming home almost a year after its North American release in September 2025. Thankfully, the next Demon Slayer film, Infinity Castle Part 2, is slated for release in 2027, and fans can now watch the first installment of the trilogy to entertain themselves while awaiting its release.
Mashle: Magic and Muscles Drops Season 3 Trailer and Release Date
Aniplex’s industry panel has become an Anime Expo staple, with this year’s event serving as the launch pad for Mashle: Magic and Muscles Season 3’s press tour. During the panel, Aniplex not only confirmed the series would return for a January 2027 premiere but also released a trailer featuring the franchise’s titular protagonist.
By the time Mashle returns, the series will have gone three years between seasons, so it’s safe to say fans are more than ready for the next chapter of Mash Burnedead’s story. Based on the trailer, it seems as though the A-1 Pictures-animated project will be more than worth the wait.
Solo Leveling: Beyond the System’s Announcement Changed the Anime Landscape
In one of the most surprising reveals of Anime Expo 2026, the Solo Leveling franchise announced that its next installment would not be a new anime season, but rather a feature-length film. Titled Solo Leveling: Beyond the System, this movie may very well be the most notable announcement from the entire convention, and it could have major ramifications for the anime industry.
Although Solo Leveling is the most popular anime in Crunchyroll history, it remains an unproven commodity when it comes to the box office. Should Sung Jinwoo’s theatrical debut even come close to rivaling the success of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, then the anime industry’s relationship with Hollywood will be stronger than ever before, and if the trailer’s response at Crunchyroll’s panel from Anime Expo 2026 is any indication, it stands a great chance of doing exactly that.
Sonic the Hedgehog: Memories and Beyond Is an Animated Short Set for the Fall
Sonic the Hedgehog wasn’t on many fans’ Anime Expo bingo cards, yet that didn’t stop Sega from announcing its newest plan for the franchise at this year’s convention. As it prepares for the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 4, the company now has a new anime short film in the works featuring Sonic and the gang.
Sonic the Hedgehog: Memories and Beyond is a 10-minute animated short, and while its premise is currently a mystery, the sneak peek shown at Anime Expo 2026 featured gorgeous action. The franchise is more primed for an anime return than it has been in years, so hopefully Sega’s announcement is a sign of more things to come.
Star Wars: Visions Presents — The Ninth Jedi Trailer Gives Extended Look at New Jedi
Star Wars: Visions has quietly become one of the most interesting animated projects under the Star Wars banner, and Anime Expo 2026 gave fans their best look yet at the anthology’s next chapter, Star Wars: Visions Presents — The Ninth Jedi. During the convention, Lucasfilm debuted a new trailer for Star Wars’ newest project, confirming that the experimental anime anthology is officially on its way back.
The trailer showcased another look at The Ninth Jedi, this time providing more details than ever about its story. With the series set for a worldwide release on August 5 via Disney+, the official Star Wars anime project — animated by Production I.G. — is preparing to make waves.
Steel Ball Run Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Returns This September
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure is among the most popular anime franchises in the world, but it has historically struggled to consistently release episodes regardless of which studio was adapting the series. This makes Warner Bros. Japan’s announcement at Anime Expo 2026 especially important, as it confirmed that STEEL BALL RUN Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure would return on September 25 with 11 more weekly episodes.
STEEL BALL RUN has been universally well-received, even if its initial anime release was bungled by Netflix. Now, the series has a chance to regain its momentum during one of the most stacked years for anime in recent memory.
Witch Hat Atelier Season 2 Debuts Ultra Teaser Trailer
Witch Hat Atelier has arguably been the breakout anime of 2026, due in no small part to the stellar work done by the staff at BUG FILMS. Coco and Qifrey’s journey may just now be getting started, but as evidenced by the turnout at Witch Hat Atelier’s Anime Expo panel, there is already a lot of interest in the young witch.
During the Witch Hat Atelier panel, it was revealed that Season 2 of the series is in production. Additionally, the studio also released a teaser trailer for the anime’s sophomore effort, giving fans something to theorize about until the formal announcement of Witch Hat Atelier Season 2’s release date.
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