Otakon 2013

Aniplex of America

EJ Rivera hosted the Aniplex of America panel at Otakon on Saturday morning to a modest crowd. Rivera started the panel by taking a video of the audience. He then showed a sizzle reel of various Aniplex USA titles such as Sword Art Online, Magi, Blue Exorcist, Gurren Lagann, Fate/Zero, and more. Attendees received raffle tickets at the beginning of the panel, and the company raffled off prizes such as a Madoka Magica and Silver Spoon poster at the end of the panel. Rivera then talked about Aniplex's website where fans can find news, announcements, and additional info about titles. Additionally, AniplexChannel.com hosts Aniplex USA titles via Hulu. The company also has a Facebook and Twitter account and a YouTube channel.

Rivera then reviewed the events the company is hosting throughout the weekend. Sword Art Online character designer Shingo Adachi is at the convention, as is sub character designer Tetsuya Kawakami. The two guests have a number of events including autograph sessions, a panel, and Aniplex USA is hosting a Sword Art Online dub screening. Aniplex USA also has Oreimo guests at Otakon: director Hiroyuki Kanbe and the original author Tsukasa Fushimi. Kanbe is hosting a panel at Otakon.

Next Rivera discussed the series that Aniplex USA is streaming now, and each title was prefaced with a trailer. Rivera started off with Valvrave the Liberator, which is streaming on Crunchyroll, Hulu, and the Aniplex Channel. The new season will start in October. T.M. Revolution, who sang the show's opening theme song, is performing at the convention later today. Next up was Servant × Service, which is also streaming on Crunchyroll, Hulu, and the Aniplex Channel. New episodes are available on Crunchyroll on Thursdays. Rivera then talked about il sole penetra le illusioni ~ Day Break Illusion, which is streaming on Crunchyroll, Hulu, and the Aniplex Channel. New episodes are available on Crunchyroll on Saturdays. Rivera then showed a trailer for Silver Spoon. Silver Spoon is streaming on Crunchyroll, Hulu, and the Aniplex Channel, and new episodes are streaming on Crunchyroll on Thursdays. Finally, Monogatari Series Second Season is now streaming on Daisuki. New episodes are available on Saturdays.

Next Rivera talked about titles that are available on home video, and each title was also prefaced by a trailer. First is the recent release of the first two Madoka Magica films, which are available now on Blu-ray Disc. Next Rivera talked about Gurren Lagann. Aniplex is releasing the series in a limited-edition box set on DVD, as well as an import of the Japanese Blu-ray Disc box set. Both sets are available now. Blue Exorcist is getting Blu-ray Disc box sets, with volume 2 shipping on September 10. The series is also available now in a complete collection on DVD. The Blue Exorcist film will screen in several cities across America with an English dub on August 17. Those who attend the film screening will get a free poster. Rivera then showed a trailer for Blast of Tempest, and the first season of that series is now available on DVD. Aniplex will release show's second season in January. Sword Art Online is getting released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc in four volumes, the first of which will ship next week. The first volume is however available now at Otakon. Rivera showed a preview of the “Sword Art Offline” shorts that will be available with the home video release.

Rivera then talked about upcoming shows, with each title being prefaced by a trailer. The Oreimo 2 OVAs will be streaming on Crunchyroll on August 17 at 9:00 p.m. PT. These OVAs contain episodes 14-16. Additionally, Fate/Zero is being re-released in a new set on DVD and Blu-ray Disc with an English dub.

Rivera then announced that Aniplex of America is releasing the third Madoka Magica film to theaters in the U.S.

Next, he announced that Aniplex of America has acquired the Kill la Kill television anime series. The series will air in Japan in fall 2013, and reunites the director and scriptwriter of Gurren Lagann.

Rivera lastly announced that in Japan only, there is “something new” that will be coming for Sword Art Online called “Sword Art Online: Extra Edition-“ on December 31.

Rivera then launched into a Q&A session, and then gave out raffle prizes to the audience members.