Top 6 Highlights from Anime Expo 2026

Anime Expo 2026 has wrapped up, leaving us with a treasure trove of highlights from the four-day extravaganza. Among the standout panels, we saw the director of Mob Psycho 100 reflect on the anime’s phenomenal conclusion, the cast of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners pump up excitement for its second season, and a quirky moment where the creator of Danganronpa 2×2 encouraged fans to dive into Grand Theft Auto 6 while they await its release.

When it comes to trailers, there was an overwhelming amount to take in. Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is set to return in September, we got a sneak peek at Witch Hat Atelier’s second season, and a fresh trailer for Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi was unveiled. However, these weren’t exactly surprises, as we’ve known about their production for some time.

Let’s dive into the six biggest reveals that truly caught us off guard. Buckle up, because the summer lineup is looking intense!

First up, let’s address the elephant in the room: Solo Leveling. This series has sparked plenty of debate among anime fans, but it’s officially getting a theatrical film titled Solo Leveling: Beyond the System. This film will continue the story from where season two left off, although a release date is still under wraps. We did get a teaser trailer, and while the stunning visuals could easily be mistaken for live-action or CGI, A-1 Pictures has a knack for delivering jaw-dropping animation, so who knows? The film will be co-produced by several notable companies.

Switching gears to A-1 Pictures, we learned a lot about Atlus’ upcoming Persona 4 remake, Persona 4 Revival. New costumes and merchandise were showcased, and it was announced that Abby Trott, who voiced Tae Takemi in Persona 5 Royal, will lend her voice to Rise Kujikawa in this remake.

In a major announcement, MAPPA, the studio behind hits like Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man, will handle the animation for Persona 4 Revival. This isn’t the first time Atlus has collaborated with a prominent studio for Persona 4; the original game featured cutscenes from both Studio Hibari and A-1 Pictures, while Persona 4 Golden had an opening animated by Madhouse. So, it’s no surprise they’re going all out for this remake.

Netflix has been on a roll with its anime offerings, but for my money, the crown jewel has been Studio Trigger’s Delicious in Dungeon (Dungeon Meshi). It’s hard to believe that the first season premiered two and a half years ago, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Well, the wait just got a bit longer, as Season 2 of Delicious in Dungeon has been confirmed for October 2027. It’s a long stretch, especially after such a lengthy wait already, but high-quality animation takes time.

An anime adaptation of Sumiko Arai’s 2022 manga was announced last year, but details have been scarce until now, with a January 2027 release date and a new trailer finally dropping. The manga’s immense popularity likely fueled the excitement at Anime Expo 2026, especially with the teaser trailer featuring Nirvana’s “Breed.” It’s not uncommon for anime to incorporate Western songs, but this choice was a pleasant surprise. Given that the manga references many licensed tracks, fans can expect CloverWorks’ adaptation to stay true to the source material.

It’s been nearly a year since Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle hit theaters on July 18, 2025, and it still hasn’t made its way to Blu-ray. This is unusual for anime films, but considering it raked in nearly $800 million at the box office, it’s understandable. It was the seventh highest-grossing film of 2025, surpassing major titles like Superman and How to Train Your Dragon.

Good news for fans: the Blu-ray and DVD release of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle is set for July 29, although it will initially be a Japan-exclusive. No need to worry about hefty import fees, as it will be available for streaming a day earlier on July 28, exclusively on Crunchyroll.

Lastly, if you haven’t heard of Fate Rewinder, get ready for a treat when it drops next year. Fūta Kimura’s time-traveling action-comedy manga is a real gem, and with the legendary studio Bones—known for Mob Psycho 100 and Fullmetal Alchemist—on board, expectations are high.

This is the first substantial update on Fate Rewinder since its vague announcement in late 2025. The wait was worth it, as Anime Expo 2026 unveiled a trailer and confirmed an April 2027 release date. With the manga’s quality and the studio’s reputation, Fate Rewinder is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated releases of 2027.