Learn how to carve vegetables Japanese style, watch kittens live and meet horror manga artist Junji Ito at the first ever Virtual Crunchyroll Expo from September 4th – 6th. Registration is free and it promises to be the most exciting event in the 2020 anime calendar.
There is something for everyone – even those who are not familiar with anime. Recently announced is an exciting One Piece panel from Toei Animation and an appearance from character designer Miho Tanino (Tower of God).
There will also be a panel on anime and race with Japan’s first black studio owner Arthell Isom and journalist Roland Kelts.
Virtual Crunchyroll Expo will have a series of districts available for fans – The Theatre District will house panels, premieres and screenings, the Super Arcade will be the home of fan activations and activities (such as Onyx Equinox scavenger hunt, MAPPA gallery tour and Yuzu’s Cat Cafe) and the Anime Arts District will be home to the V-CRX artist alley and the Central Shopping District will house the exhibitor Hall.
The complete schedule for Virtual Crunchyroll Expo can be found here. Sessions will be available on demand for fans to watch at their convenience.
Visit Virtual Crunchyroll Expo website for more info and to register for a free pass here.
Here’s a roundup for some of the highlights (Times are in BST) –
Anime and race
Sat, SEP 5th 2020
1.15am -2:15 am
HIME STAGE
Anime and Race with ROLAND KELTS (JAPANAMERICA) and ARTHELL ISOM (D’ART SHTAJIO) in Tokyo
Anime and race might not be a topic for most Japanese, to whom the shows are targeted. Characters speak Japanese, behave like Japanese, sometimes attend Japanese schools and eat Japanese food. But to audiences outside Japan, the round-eyed, blond-haired, non-racial (or “stateless”) characters can look a lot like white people.
The question is more urgent with both Black Lives Matter and Hollywood’s habit of “whitewashing” hot topics. Casting white actors to play characters of color, like Scarlett Johansson as Major Kusanagi in Ghost in the Shell, can be a Major Fail.
Half-Japanese American author Roland Kelts, and anime artist and background designer Arthell Isom, co-founder of anime’s only Black-owned studio, break it down in this fascinating three-part panel:
- From the 60s to 80s, artists like Osamu Tezuka (Astro Boy) and the Yoshida Brothers (Speed Racer) wanted their works to go global. The global stereotype was Caucasian (think Disney & Hollywood).
- The 90s brought us baby steps with Blood, Afro Samurai, and Samurai Champloo.
- Today, D’ART Shtajio and other anime studios are proactively representing Black characters and Black culture, transforming anime and fandom.
Click here to download the interview with Arthell Isom and Roland Kelts Arthell_Isom_Q_A
Cosplaying while black
FRI, SEP 4, 2020
6pm
V-CRX ON DEMAND
Cosplaying While Black is a group that raises awareness of racism in the cosplay community. Enjoy a safe space for cosplayers of all races, backgrounds, and genders as we discuss the struggles of being a P.O.C. in this community.
Panelists will take turns sharing their experiences and giving advice on how to deal with certain issues that arise, including racist comments, blackface, and representation in the media.
Racism is a big issue in cosplay and we do our best to provide resources to help eliminate it.
Arthell Isom runs D’ART Shtajio with his brother Darnell in Tokyo
Black girl magic: anime edition
SUN, SEP 6, 2020
10:15 PM – 11:00 PM
CRUNCHYROLL STAGE
Join our discussion led by six Black women pioneering the anime fandom space. Our panelists talk about how anime has shaped their lives and motivated their careers. They also cover the rise of black women celebrities celebrating their love of anime, and how to combat gatekeeping so that no one dulls your magic!
Mini weebing 101
FRI, SEP 4, 2020
6pm
V-CRX ON DEMAND
Learn about anime and gaming from the perspective of a seven-year-old boy as he highlights some of your favorites like Naruto, Dr. STONE, Overwatch, and Fortnite.
Created for parents who want panels their kids can enjoy, this presentation will prove that kids have just as much knowledge as adults. He might be little, but he packs a big weeb punch!
Professional athletes of anime
FRI, SEP 4, 2020
10:45 PM – 11:45 PM
HIME STAGE
Anime isn’t just a form of art or entertainment. It becomes a part of who we are and how we express ourselves. Crunchyroll is bringing you the Professional Athletes of Anime Panel—a gathering of real life heroes with captivating strength and skills, who also wear their anime fandom with pride as they live out their dreams.
Join us to learn about the role anime has played in the lives of pro wrestling champion Miro, rising basketball star Cole Anthony, and Team USA Olympic Gold Medalist Aries Merritt.
The art of Japanese vegetable carving of anime figures
FRI, SEP 4, 2020
10:30 PM -11:15 PM
YUZU STAGE
Since ancient times, the Japanese have practiced a food technique called mukimono that turns vegetables into table decorations. Here you can observe traditional mukimono carving, and learn how you can turn veggies in your kitchen into anime characters! Let’s have fun!
Anime and drag with Rock M. Sakura
SAT, SEP 5, 2020
7:45pm – 8:30 PM
CRUNCHYROLL STAGE
The effervescent, gluestick-eating anime drag queen and star of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 12, sits down to answer questions and discuss her glitter-encrusted journey as an artist, drag queen, and who really is best girl.
Snacking through Japan with Bokksu
SAT, SEP 5, 2020
10:00 PM – 11:30 PM
HIME STAGE
Join Bokksu Founder Danny Taing as he takes a gourmet journey through Japan to interview five unique snack makers, ranging from a 5th generation Kyoto candymaker to a scrappy Tokyo entrepreneur who started his modern Japanese confectionary only ten years ago.
Produced with extra commentary from the founder exclusively for V-CRX, this documentary will transport you to watch them create delicious snacks like anpan red bean buns, listen to their family histories, and learn their perspectives on snack craftsmanship.
Crunchyroll Originals presents: Gibiate live drawing
SAT, SEP 5, 2020
4:15 PM – 5:00 PM
CRUNCHYROLL STAGE
Have you ever wanted to watch anime production in re:al-time? Come watch Director Masahiko Komino do a live sketch for GIBIATE.
Crunchyroll Originals Presents: Making of Onyx Equinox
FRI SEPT 4TH
8.00PM – 9.00PM
Join the creative staff behind the Crunchyroll Original series Onyx Equinox for a deep dive into the making of the show. Learn more about the production, mythology and more as you journey through Mesoamerica. With the show’s creator Sofia E.Alexander.
Drawing Crunchyroll-Hime! Watch and learn event
SAT, SEP 5, 2020
12:15 AM – 12:45AM
CRUNCHYROLL STAGE
Join us as we learn how to draw Crunchyroll-Hime! Follow along at home while our artists teach you using a step-by-step process. After you’re done, you can even share your own Crunchyroll-Hime with the class by using the hashtag #LetsDrawHime
Making your own visual novel
SUN, SEP 6, 2020
7:15 PM – 7:45 AM
YUZU STAGE
Visual novels are a medium that originated in Japan but have spread across the world, spawning successful franchises like Fate/Stay Night, Higurashi When they Cry, CLANNAD, and more. But what goes into making them? We’ll go over the basics of visual novel development and how you can start and finish a project.
In New Crunchyroll City Districts – City Arcade and Club Yuzu:
YUZU’S CAT CAFÉ
You can has kittens! Watch a 24/7 livestream of all the fur babies at The Kitten Academy. You could also donate to the org, or adopt a cat of your own.
ANIME RUNS DEEP:
A CELEBRITY FAN EXHIBIT
Take a look at some anime-inspired interpretations of celebrities—like Idris Elba, John Boyega, and LJ Collier—who are fans of the art form themselves.
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