The provider of all things anime brought all sorts of things anime to the San Diego fan event, from a panel and footage from the soon to be released feature to 2 music-filled nights with the ‘Dragon Ball Z Concert Experience’ and a ‘Manga, Webcomics, and Anime’ panel featuring industry insiders discussing the explosion in popularity and emergence as major forces in entertainment.
Anime powerhouse Crunchyroll wrapped up a full program of fan-focused events at San Diego’s Comic-Con 2022 – things kicked off on Friday, July 22. Here are some of the highlights:
Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO panel:
Sharing stories and insights from the film, panelists included:
- Special guest of honor from Japan, Toshio Furukawa (Japanese voice actor for Piccolo)
- Christopher R. Sabat (English voice actor for Piccolo and Vegeta) and producer
- Norihiro Hayashida (Producer)
Crunchyroll's Lauren Moore moderated the panel. Interpretations by Mikey McNamara.
Attendees got a first look at the first 20 minutes of the movie and a newly released trailer. The film hits theaters on August 19.
Here’s the trailer:
Crunchyroll Concert Series
Night 1 – Friday, July 22
- Opening Act: Crunchyroll Hime Dance Party with DJ Jun Inagawa
- Headliner: ATARASHII GAKKO! The pop group represents a new generation of Japanese youth (seishun in their native language), embracing personal expression and pushing against traditional boundaries a little at a time.
Night 2 – Saturday, July 23
- Opening Act: Crunchyroll Hime “Animata” Dance Party with Azuria Sky
- Headliner: Dragon Ball Z Concert Experience - the immersive multimedia, one-of-a-kind curated concert experience combined the senses and sounds of the popular anime series with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, conductor Nicholas Buc, and special guest vocalist Hiroki Takahashi.
- Over 9000+ attended, nearly reaching venue capacity
Manga, Webcomics, and Anime: The New Formats and Fandoms Dominating Entertainment Panel
Saturday, July 23
A look at the manga, webcomics, and anime’s mainstream success and its recent dominance on screens and bookshelves, with growing fandoms and popularity, especially for titles like Attack on Titan, All of Us Are Dead, and Demonslayer. Panelists discussed what is drawing readers and viewers to this entertainment, driving box office success, and investment from big names in entertainment.
- David Lee (VP, content, WEBTOON)
- Mitchel Berger (senior VP, global commerce, Crunchyroll)
- Michael Gombos (senior director of licensed publishing, Dark Horse)
Borys Kit (The Hollywood Reporter) moderated the panel.
Exhibit Hall
Crunchyroll and Toei Animation produced a one-of-a-kind experience at the Crunchyroll Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO-themed booth, which included a replica of Piccolo's House as shown in the film.
Source: Crunchyroll
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
