VIZ Media came to Anime Expo 2026 with something to prove—and they delivered. From the world premiere of Black Torch to the launch of Acky Bright’s GalaXic Baseball League and immersive pop-ups celebrating Studio Ghibli and Shonen Jump, the publisher’s showcase at booth #1914 was one of the biggest in convention history.
Black Torch Makes Its Anime Premiere
VIZ Media and Crunchyroll hosted the world premiere of Black Torch, giving fans an exclusive first look at Episode 1 during a special Anime Expo panel featuring English voice actors AJ Beckles (Jiro) and Keith Silverstein (Rago). The supernatural action series follows teenage shinobi Jiro Azuma and the powerful mononoke Rago as an uneasy alliance thrusts them into a hidden war between humans and spirits.
The series is now streaming exclusively on Crunchyroll.
Synopsis: When the reluctant shinobi and soft-hearted teenage animal whisperer Jiro meets the mononoke cat Rago, the worlds of humans and spectral beings collide. Japan’s undercover spy agency is eager to contain the damage, but Rago’s power isn’t easily contained.
VIZ Spotlights the Future of Manga
Aspiring manga creators packed VIZ Media’s “Making Manga” panel, where VIZ editors pulled back the curtain on the creative journey from pitch to publication. The session featured Antoniette Sluytman, creator of the VIZ One Shot Deepseeker, who shared insights into developing original manga.
Anime Expo also marked the launch of GalaXic Baseball League, a new original sci-fi manga from internationally acclaimed artist Acky Bright, developed with editorial guidance from former Weekly Shonen Jump Editor-in-Chief Hisashi Sasaki. The series imagines a universe where Major League Baseball superstars must compete in an intergalactic tournament to save Earth. The manga is available now on the VIZ Manga app.
Fan Experiences Throughout Anime Expo
Shonen Jump Pop-Up Shop Returns
Back by popular demand, the official Shonen Jump Pop-Up Shop returned to Los Angeles with exclusive imported merchandise and fan-favorite collectibles.
First-Ever Official Studio Ghibli Pop-Up Opens in the U.S.
Fans stepped into the worlds of My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Howl’s Moving Castle, and more at the first official Studio Ghibli retail pop-up in the United States.
BLEACH Comes to Life Through Immersive Artist Gallery
VIZ also celebrated the legacy of BLEACH with a first-of-its-kind artist gallery featuring more than 20 internationally renowned artists reimagining Ichigo, Rukia, and the Soul Society through original artwork, exclusive collectibles, and one-of-a-kind installations.
VIZ Media’s Anime Expo 2026 showcase was a masterclass in fan engagement—world premieres, manga launches, artist collaborations, and retail pop-ups that turned the convention center into a celebration of anime culture.
Source: VIZ
