VIZ Media took center stage at Anime Expo 2025, delivering a packed schedule of exclusive panels, merchandise drops, and sneak peeks that thrilled fans from July 2 to 5. From limited-edition merch to big anime announcements, here’s a quick rundown of what went down.
Shonen Jump Pop-Up Shop: Merch Mania (July 2–5)
Located just steps from the LA Convention Center, the Shonen Jump Pop-Up Shop became a hotspot for fans hunting rare collectibles and exclusive gear. Highlights included:
- Early access to limited-edition Dandadan and Kagurabachi merch, available two weeks before online release.
- Exclusive apparel from BIOWORLD, including Hunter x Hunter and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure basketball jerseys.
- New Bandai Figuarts figures featuring characters from Naruto, Kaiju No. 8, and One Piece.
- The debut of the Dan Da Dan Funko POP! collection, revealed July 3 and immediately available for pre-order.
- VIP priority entry for Shonen Jump members and immersive fan activities, including themed photo ops and trading card game demos with free giveaways.
Making Manga Panel: Behind the Scenes (July 4)
Aspiring creators packed the room for VIZ Media’s Making Manga panel, where editors shared how manga goes from idea to print. Key takeaways:
- Step-by-step look at the editorial process for manga one-shots.
- Insider tips on pitching to VIZ, including what helps submissions stand out.
- Details on opportunities through VIZ Originals and One-Shots programs.
- A focus on supporting diverse creators and international publishing.
- A lively Q&A and giveaways left attendees inspired to bring their stories to life.
BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War Panel (July 4)
A can’t-miss event for BLEACH fans featured exclusive video interviews with production staff and a surprise message from creator Tite Kubo. The panel teased the next chapter with a new visual confirming BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Calamity will air in 2026, sending fans into a frenzy.
Roosters, Samurai, and Mayhem! (July 5)
The final day brought a flood of announcements and sneak peeks:
- Rooster Fighter anime premiered its first episode preview and unveiled a fresh key visual. The show is slated for Spring 2026, with Mitsuaki Kanuka and Tomohiro Ohno leading the voice cast.
- George Wada of WIT Studio revealed the English dub cast for Yaiba: Samurai Legend, streaming on Netflix and Hulu starting August 15, with more episodes in November.
- Black Torch anime adaptation revealed main cast and character art, promising a thrilling ninja-mononoke adventure.
- RWBY expanded globally, now fully streaming on Hulu, with Volume 10 in development and new releases on Apple EST for the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
What’s Next for VIZ Media?
Anime Expo 2025 proved VIZ Media remains at the forefront of anime and manga culture, combining fan-focused experiences with major content reveals. With BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War, Rooster Fighter, and Yaiba on the horizon, plus ongoing support for creators and global streaming expansion, the future looks bright for anime fans worldwide.
Stay tuned for more updates as VIZ continues to push the boundaries of anime fandom and storytelling.
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