Crunchyroll Expo

Anime convention in San Jose, California

Crunchyroll Expo

The Crunchyroll Store at Crunchyroll Expo 2017

Status| On Hiatus
Genre| Anime[1]
Venue| San Jose McEnery Convention Center
Location(s)| San Jose, California
Coordinates| 37°19′43″N 121°53′20″W﻿ / ﻿37.32861°N 121.88889°W﻿ / 37.32861; -121.88889
Country| United States
Inaugurated| August 25, 2017; 7 years ago (2017-08-25)
Attendance| 16,000 (est.) total in 2017[2]
Organized by| Crunchyroll
LeftField Media[3]
Website| crunchyrollexpo.com

Crunchyroll Expo (CRX) was an annual three-day anime convention held during August/September at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California over Labor Day weekend.[4] The convention was organized by anime licensor Crunchyroll and LeftField Media.[3]

## Programming

[edit]

The convention typically offered an Artists Alley, Dealers Room, a Masquerade, panels, and video games.[4][5]

## History

[edit]

Crunchyroll Expo was first held in 2017 at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, California.[1][6] LeftField Media was brought in to help run the convention.[6][7] Crunchyroll Expo received most of its ticket sales in the days before the event.[8] MAGWest was held the same weekend, and the conventions partnered to allow attendees to participate in limited events at the other.[5][9] The convention had staffing and badge check issues, along with autograph ticket confusion.[5] They also had no video rooms.[9]

Crunchyroll Expo for 2018 moved to the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. They were the same weekend as SacAnime.[4] Crunchyroll partnered with ReedPop to organize Crunchyroll Expo starting in 2020.[10][11] Crunchyroll Expo 2020 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[12][13][14] An online event named Virtual Crunchyroll Expo was instead held from September 4–6, 2020.[15] The pandemic also resulted in the 2021 convention's cancellation, and it was again replaced with an online event.[16][17]

Crunchyroll Expo 2022 was a hybrid convention, with both physical and online events. The convention featured a new music festival, the Crunchy City Music Fest.[18][19][20] Crunchyroll Expo had an attendance cap, and admission was sold out.[3][20] The convention also had mask and vaccination requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with increased security.[3][19][20] LeftField Media also returned to run the convention.[3] Crunchyroll Expo did not occur in 2023, in order for Crunchyroll to prioritize other events worldwide.[21]

### Event history

[edit]

Dates | Location | Atten. | Guests

|
|
|

August 25–27, 2017 | Santa Clara Convention Center
Santa Clara, California| 16,000 (est.) total
35,000 turnstile[2]| Yoshitaka Amano, Ray Chase, SungWon Cho, Caitlin Glass, Roland Kelts, Mega64, Max Mittelman, Octopimp, Chris Parson, Monica Rial, Adam Savage, Hiroshi Shimizu,[2] The Fairly OddParents creator Butch Hartman, voice actors Shun Horie and Hiromi Igarashi, figure skater Johnny Weir, manga artist Kore Yamazaki, and author Keiichi Sigsawa.[22][23]
September 1–3, 2018 | San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California| 45,000 turnstile (est.)[24]| Yoshitoshi ABe, Justin Briner, Mica Burton, Clifford Chapin, Luci Christian, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Yuichi Fukushima, Kun Gao, Ryo Horikawa, Atsuko Ishizuka, MeltingMirror, Atsushi Nishigori, Sean Schemmel, Stephanie Sheh, Michael Sinterniklaas, Masayoshi Tanaka, TeddyLoid, Mike Toole, and Andrew Upton.[24]
August 30 – September 1, 2019 | San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California| | Yuu Asakawa, Kira Buckland, Flow, DJ HeavyGrinder, Ryo Horikawa, Xanthe Huynh, Junji Ito, Sunao Katabuchi, Mike McFarland, Toshio Nakatani, None Like Joshua, Brina Palencia, Tara Sands, Eric Stuart, Yuzuru Tachikawa, TeddyLoid, Kimura U,[25] 22/7 voice actors Sally Amaki, Kanae Shirosawa, and Ruri Umino;[26] Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma writer Yūto Tsukuda and artist Shun Saeki;[27] and staff members of Zombie Land Saga, including voice actors Kaede Hondo and Asami Tano, composer Yasuharu Takanashi, and MAPPA CEO Manabu Ohtsuka.[28] Rock band Flow, whose songs have been featured in various anime as opening themes, held a concert on August 30.[29]
September 4–6, 2020[14] | Online convention| | Shusuke Katagiri, Myth & Roid, Rian Tachibana, and Matt Schley.[30][31][32]
August 5–7, 2021[16][17] | Online convention| |
August 5–7, 2022 | San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California| | Chinatsu Akasaki, Watson Amelia, Kosuke Arai, Aru.rinh, Atarashii Gakko!, Hakos Baelz, Dominique "King Vader" Barrett, Mario Bueno, Burnout Syndromes, Rosalie Chiang, Shoya Chiba, Jade Dennis, Chris "Papa Bear" English, Cheyenne Ewulu, Ricco Fajardo, Shawn Gann, Cris George, Gawr Gura, Kwok-Wai Hanson, Hiromitsu Iijima, Ninomae Ina'nis, Jacki Jing, Okitsugu Kado, Tasuku Kaito, Reagan Kathryn, Takanashi Kiara, Makoto Kimura, Baku Kinoshita, Akari Kito, Chiaki Kobayashi, Yurika Kubo, Chris Lam, James Landino, Lex Lang, Linda Le, Tim Lyu, Madkid, Maridah, Eric Maruscak, Adam McArthur, Masahiko Minami, Rei Miyasaka, Amador Molina, Lauren Moore, Shihori Nakane, Nerds Know, Kureiji Ollie, Yuki Ono, OTAKUpassport, Manabu Otsuka, Kevin Penkin, Zeno Robinson, Kate Sánchez, Brandon C. Schindewolf, Sevenn, Megan Shipman, SiM, Suncake, Risa Taneda, Kaiji Tang, Kentaro Tone, Shimba Tsuchiya, Yuichiro Umehara, Kazuki Ura, Natalie Van Sistine, Tony Weaver, Jr. Michael Weidner, Anne Yatco, Miki Yoshikawa, and Young Bombs.[33]

## Virtual Crunchyroll Expo

[edit]

Due to the cancellation of Crunchyroll Expo 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, an online event named Virtual Crunchyroll Expo was held from September 4–6, 2020.[13][15] The event featured many Japanese guests including Junji Ito, Soma Saito, Rie Takahashi, Mayumi Tanaka, and pro wrestler Miro.[34][35] It also included a artists alley, cosplay event, and exhibitor hall.[35][36][37] Virtual Crunchyroll Expo 2021 was held from August 5–7, 2021 and also had a significant Japanese guest list.[16][38]

## Crunchyroll Expo Australia

[edit]

Crunchyroll Expo Australia was a two-day convention held during September at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in Melbourne, Australia.[39][40] The convention in 2022 had issues with long entrance lines outside of the convention center. Attendees had waits of up to five hours in bad weather due to the convention center reaching capacity. Crunchyroll after the convention made refunds available for those who could not enter the event.[41]

### Event history

[edit]

Dates | Location | Atten. | Guests

|
|
|

September 17–18, 2022 | Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Melbourne, Australia| | Asca, Hakos Baelz, Mori Calliope, Ricco Fajardo, DJ Kazu, Kirilee, André Knite, Adam McArthur, Lisa Ortiz, Olivia Swasey, Kaiji Tang, Vye, and Anne Yatco.[42]

## See also

[edit]

* San Francisco Bay Area portal

* Crunchyroll
* FanimeCon
* SiliCon

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Ressler, Karen (February 9, 2017). "Crunchyroll Announces Its Own Convention After Surpassing 1 Million Paid Subscribers". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
2. ^ a b c "Crunchyroll Expo 2017 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
3. ^ a b c d e Salkowitz, Rob (August 10, 2022). "Crunchyroll Expo Offers Lots of Fun for Anime Fans and Missed Opportunities for Publishers". ICv2. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
4. ^ a b c Delahanty, Patrick; Chmakova, Svetlana. "Crunchyroll Expo 2018 Report". AnimeCons TV. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
5. ^ a b c Delahanty, Patrick. "Crunchyroll Expo 2017 Report". AnimeCons TV. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
6. ^ a b "New Anime Event Planned for 2017: Crunchyroll Expo | Exhibit City News". Exhibit City News. February 15, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
7. ^ Kelts, Roland (July 23, 2017). "Crunchyroll takes anime to a live level". The Japan Times. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
8. ^ Orsini, Lauren (September 6, 2017). "The Making Of Crunchyroll Expo, A Corporate Con With An Anime Fan Heart". Forbes. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
9. ^ a b Bertschy, Zac; Chapman, Jacob. "ANNCast - Kleckstarter". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
10. ^ McMillan, Graeme (November 20, 2019). "Reedpop Partners With WarnerMedia for Crunchyroll Expo Events". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
11. ^ Milton Griepp, Milton (November 21, 2019). "ReedPOP Gets Crunchyroll Expo". ICv2. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
12. ^ Luster, Joseph (June 3, 2020). "Crunchyroll Expo 2020 Canceled, 2021 Dates Planned for August 6-8". Crunchyroll. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
13. ^ a b Mateo, Alex (June 4, 2020). "Crunchyroll Expo 2020 Canceled Due to COVID-19". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
14. ^ a b "Crunchyroll Expo 2020 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
15. ^ a b Sherman, Jennifer (June 18, 2020). "Crunchyroll Expo 2020 Moves Online". Anime News Network.
16. ^ a b c Mateo, Alex (March 12, 2021). "Crunchyroll Expo Goes Virtual for Its 2021 Event". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
17. ^ a b "Crunchyroll Expo 2021 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
18. ^ "Crunchyroll Expo Unveils First-Ever New Crunchy City Music Fest Featuring J-Pop Powerhouse Atarashii Gakko". Anime News Network. June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
19. ^ a b Zhu, Stephanie (August 9, 2022). "Anime fans pack sold-out Crunchyroll Expo 2022 in Bay Area after 2-year hiatus". Datebook - San Francisco Arts & Entertainment Guide. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
20. ^ a b c Hidalgo, Jason (July 19, 2022). "Cosplay after COVID: Safety a key focus as Crunchyroll Expo 2022 returns in person | Technobubble". Reno Gazette Journal. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
21. ^ Mateo, Alex (February 9, 2023). "Crunchyroll Expo 'Hits Pause' On This Year's Event". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
22. ^ Sherman, Jennifer (August 9, 2017). "Crunchyroll Expo Hosts Kino's Journey Author Keiichi Sigsawa". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 18, 2019. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
23. ^ Truong, Keira (August 22, 2017). "More Crunchyroll Expo guests revealed, programming schedule posted". Nerd Reactor. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
24. ^ a b "Crunchyroll Expo 2018 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
25. ^ "Crunchyroll Expo 2019 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
26. ^ Sherman, Jennifer (August 2, 2019). "Crunchyroll Expo Hosts 22/7 Voice Actresses Sally Amaki, Kanae Shirosawa, Ruri Umino". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 3, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
27. ^ "The Creators of Food Wars! are Coming to Crunchyroll Expo 2019!". Crunchyroll. July 26, 2019. Archived from the original on August 18, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
28. ^ Mateo, Alex (August 16, 2019). "Crunchyroll Expo Hosts Zombie Land Saga Anime's Cast, Staff". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 17, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
29. ^ "FLOW to Perform in Concert at Crunchyroll Expo 2019! | 10 Days of Announcements". Crunchyroll. June 29, 2019. Archived from the original on August 18, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
30. ^ "Crunchyroll Expo Adds The God of High School, Dr. Stone, Onyx Equinox, Noblesse Guests, & More". CBR. August 21, 2020. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
31. ^ "Virtual Crunchyroll Expo Announces Final Wave of Guests!". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
32. ^ "411MANIA". Miro Set To Appear At Virtual Crunchyroll Expo. Archived from the original on August 28, 2020. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
33. ^ "Crunchyroll Expo 2022 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
34. ^ Sherman, Jennifer (August 27, 2020). "Virtual Crunchyroll Expo Event to Host Junji Ito, One Piece Cast, The Rising of the Shield Hero Staff". Anime News Network.
35. ^ a b Collins, Hannah (August 28, 2020). "Crunchyroll Expo Adds Junji Ito, One Piece, The Rising of the Shield Hero Panels To Line-Up". Comic Book Resources.
36. ^ Adams, Tim (July 23, 2020). "Crunchyroll Expo Announces First Wave of Guests, Panels & Programming". Comic Book Resources.
37. ^ Hazra, Adriana (July 26, 2020). "Virtual Crunchyroll Expo Event Reveals 1st Set of Guests". Anime News Network.
38. ^ Mateo, Alex (August 4, 2021). "Crunchyroll Expo Virtual Event Hosts Cast, Staff from Re:ZERO, Battle Game in 5 Seconds, In the Land of Leadale Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
39. ^ Hazra, Adriana (March 30, 2022). "Crunchyroll Expo Expands to Australia With Event in Melbourne". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
40. ^ Harripersad, Ridge (April 2, 2022). "Crunchyroll Expo Reveal Debut In Australia September 2022". Comics Gaming Magazine Online. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
41. ^ David Smith (September 17, 2022). "Crunchyroll Expo Australia Grapples With Capacity Crowds, Long Queue Times On Day One". Kotaku. Archived from the original on September 17, 2022.
42. ^ "Crunchyroll Expo Australia 2022 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved October 17, 2022.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Crunchyroll Expo.

* Official website