In a first, the Vidya Gaem Awards attended Anime Expo back in July. Here’s a summary of what they noticed.
A special thanks go out to our volunteer, Akane, for making the trek!
Anime Expo, an annual celebration of all things anime and manga, made a strong pivot toward video games this year, signaling the convergence of the anime and gaming worlds. One of the standout experiences was the hands-on gameplay demos, which featured a robust lineup including titles such as “Samba De Amigo,” “Colorful Stage,” “Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections,” “Zenless Zone Zero,” “Granblue Fantasy Re:Link,” and “Fate/Samurai Remnant.” The latter game by Koei Tecmo particularly impressed with its nuanced combat system featuring a character named Iori, who wields twin blades and has multiple stances, offering a rich, tactical fighting experience.
AX didn’t shy away from immersive gaming setups either. For instance, to play “Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections,” attendees had to wait in line to enter a ramen stall-like setting. The demo featured a lean but carefully chosen roster from both the Naruto and Boruto universes, allowing players to get a good feel for the game. Notably, the game diverges from its predecessors by offering multiple jutsu options for each character, leading to more diversified fighting styles.
Panels also played a significant role in the gaming focus. Pictured above is the Geek Boat World Tour by Studio TRIGGER.
High-profile Japanese developers, such as Atlus, held sessions discussing various IPs. The company celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Shin Megami Tensei series and also had a dedicated panel for “Persona 3,” simultaneously capturing the mainline fandom, as well as the enthusiasm of the spinoff.
The event also hosted a candid panel from an acclaimed visual novel publisher, which tackled the tough topics of delays, translation challenges, and why certain titles don’t receive updates or bug fixes. This behind-the-scenes look offered fans a greater understanding of the hurdles developers face, making the panel particularly engaging.
Gacha gamers weren’t left out; the “Fate GO 6th Anniversary” panel revealed upcoming plans and updates for the immensely popular mobile game. Another intriguing moment came during a panel featuring Yoko Taro, who had to replace his iconic Emil mask from the Nier series with a rather expensive leprechaun mask, adding a bit of unexpected humor to the proceedings.
Live music was part of the expo too. Concerts ranged from Neon District, headlined by DJ Diesel aka Shaquille O’Neal, to a band performing various songs for the Shin Megami Tensei 30th anniversary. The eclectic mix of artists proved the expo’s commitment to bridging the gap between anime and gaming through music as well.
Exclusive merchandise was yet another draw. Booths ranged from offering exclusive Disgaea products, where fans could even pose with a life-sized Prinny, to Atlus’s booth filled with Persona series merchandise. For mobile game aficionados, there was a Genshin Impact booth offering stickers and Paimon balloons, along with Cygames selling goods for “Shadowverse” and “Uma Musume.”
Overall, this year’s Anime Expo felt like a marriage between two closely related worlds: anime and video games. The blend of hands-on demos, comprehensive panels, live concerts, and exclusive merch offered something for everyone, enriching the experience beyond the traditional boundaries of an anime-focused event.
So — whats the takeaway? The boundaries between anime and video games are more porous than ever, with both industries leaning into their shared fan base to offer a more comprehensive and immersive experience, any if this year is any indicator, that trend is likely to continue in the years to come. The event successfully created a space where fans of both anime and gaming could come together and celebrate the ever-growing synergies between the two realms. From gameplay demos and developer panels to unique merchandise and musical performances, Anime Expo demonstrated that the future is bright for this cross-pollination of culture and entertainment. With such a rich and diverse offering, attendees were given not just a glimpse into what’s currently captivating the world of anime and gaming, but also what to look forward to in the landscape ahead.
