For the second year in a row, the biggest anime convention in North America is going completely digital to ensure the safety of its attendees.
Register Now for Anime Expo Lite 2021
Anime Expo Lite 2021 has been confirmed for July 3-4 at 12-8pm PDT, and registration is now open.
A ticket to costs $5 (plus processing fees). All proceeds will be going towards the Hate Is a Virus commUNITY Action Fund, which aims to raise $1 million to give back to local and national community organizations.
Hate Is A Virus programs include mental health support and developing effective, community-based solutions for safety, representation, solidarity-building. The organization works to mobilize AAPI to participate in local and national campaigns, creating safe spaces for dialogue and education, and provides actionable steps and funding in partnership with trusted community leaders and organizations.
The two-day, live stream convention will will feature exclusive content from a number of industry partners. Here are all the confirmed partners (so far):
- Crunchyroll
- Bandai Namco Arts
- VIZ Media
- Bushiroad, Right Stuf Anime
- Sekai Project
- Wayforward
It's interesting to see Crunchyroll on the list, knowing that the streaming service is holding its own online anime event this August.
Bandai Namco Arts is a particularly exciting name on the list for some anime fans, as they're excited to see what else the company could have in store. One of Bandai's other subsidiaries, Bandai Namco Pictures, has teamed up with HTC to bring anime-centered experiences to VR.
The schedule of events for Anime Expo Lite 2021 has yet to be released at the time of writing. "Additional content, programming details, and participating brands will be announced in the coming weeks," the announcement reads.
Additionally, it looks like Anime Expo was scheduled to be a physical event this year. Last March, however, the organizers had to break the news on Twitter that those plans would were cancelled.
We will not have a physical event for #AX2021. #AnimeExpoLite will return on July 4th weekend.
— Anime Expo (@AnimeExpo) March 3, 2021
Read the update on our website → https://t.co/MQdTt7oUtT pic.twitter.com/FGvgZVzMhZ
What Is Anime Expo?
Organized by non-profit organization Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA), Anime Expo is a convention that aims to celebrate Asian and Japanese pop culture.
At Anime Expo, fans of all ages come together to share their love of anime, TV & film, fashion, video games, manga, dance, live concerts, collectibles, and merchandise.
Typically, Anime Expo is held every year at the Los Angeles Convention Center, but the continued uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 have forced the convention to go digital.
This is probably why the 2020 and 2021 editions of the convention are referred to as "Anime Expo Lite"—the experience is definitely still fun, but it pales in comparison to attending the convention in-person.
Don't Miss Anime Expo Lite 2021
If you want to make sure that you don't miss any Anime Expo Lite news or programming updates, you can sign up for the newsletter.
Anime Expo Lite was free in 2021, so some fans might be disappointed that the 2021 ticket has a price tag, but it's not an unreasonable amount to pay. After all, it looks like proceeds are going to a good cause.
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