Crunchyroll took the stage at Anime Expo 2026 with a slate of major announcements spanning theatrical films, highly anticipated new series, and expanded fan experiences. Highlights from the annual Crunchyroll Showcase at the Peacock Theater included the reveal of Solo Leveling: Beyond the System, a character first-look at the upcoming Ghost of Tsushima Legends anime, and multiple world premiere debuts.

Hosted by Tim Lyu and Lauren Moore, the showcase delivered new trailers, surprise appearances, and first-look reveals for fans in attendance and around the world. 

• Solo Leveling: Beyond the System – In a moment that drew one of the panel’s biggest reactions, Aleks Le, the English voice of Sung Jinwoo, took the stage to make a special announcement to reveal that the story is far from over. Fans at Anime Expo were the first in the world to learn that Solo Leveling: Beyond the System is now in production. The all-new anime theatrical feature film will be a direct continuation of the series, picking up following the events of Season 2. Fans were also treated to a teaser key visual and a new promotional concept video. Solo Leveling: Beyond the System is animated by acclaimed A-1 Pictures (Sword Art Online). The film is produced by Aniplex, Netmarble, D&C MEDIA, Kakao Piccoma, and Crunchyroll. More details to be announced at a later date.

• Ghost of Tsushima Legends – Crunchyroll debuted a first-look at the characters for the upcoming Ghost of Tsushima Legends anime, offering fans another early glimpse at the highly anticipated series. Last year, Crunchyroll, in partnership with Aniplex, Sony Music, and PlayStation Productions, announced the anime adaptation of the beloved action-adventure game. The series follows one of the last remaining samurai as he defends his homeland of Tsushima against the Mongol Empire. Director Takanobu Mizuno will lead the adaptation, with HAYATE Inc. overseeing production, Satoshi Maejima (NITRO PLUS) and Gen Urobuchi (NITRO PLUS) writing the script, with Gen Urobuchi also handling story composition, Takashi Okazaki providing character designs, and KAMIKAZE DOUGA producing the animation. The series aims to translate the game’s signature samurai aesthetic into a visually compelling, cinematic experience. Additional production details and a premiere date will be announced at a later time. 

• The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn’t a Guy At All – In one of the showcase’s biggest surprises, Crunchyroll aired a special video message to audiences at Anime Expo from Dave Grohl, who revealed that Nirvana’s “Breed” will serve as the opening theme for the upcoming anime adaptation of The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn’t a Guy At All set to launch in early 2027. The series follows fashionable and upbeat high schooler, Aya, who loves listening to rock, but no one else seems to share her interest…until she meets a cool, stylish employee at a CD shop. Dressed in black from head to toe, he has this air of mystery about him, and his taste in music is impeccable. Aya falls hard for him, not knowing her crush is actually her female classmate Mitsuki! Additional details on the series will be announced at a later time. 

• Kagurabachi – Following the recent announcement that the highly- anticipated anime adaptation, Kagurabachi, is coming to Crunchyroll next year, fans attending the Showcase were treated to an exclusive Q&A with Chihiro Rokuhira’s Japanese voice actor, Taihi Kimura, and Kyle Cardine, Editor-in-Chief of Crunchyroll News. Unveiled exclusively for the panel audience, attendees received a special first look at Chihiro’s provisional character design sheet.

NEW SERIES AND RETURNING FAVORITES

• Here U Are – The anime adaptation of the beloved manhwa will make its way to Crunchyroll. The series follows Yang Yu, a university upperclassman who’s loved by everyone, and Huan Li, a quiet, antisocial new student. The two of them get off on the wrong foot, but despite clashing and repelling one another at times, they are still drawn to each other.

• Fate Rewinder – Launching on Crunchyroll April 2027 this new sci-fi mystery thriller follows heroes equipped with the “Retry Eye,” an ocular implanted device granting the power to rewind time. The series centers around new Rewinder, Chrono, who must master his ability to save those who have died tragically.

• The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 5 – Naofumi’s journey continues into perilous new waves of danger where he and his companions face threats that may implicate the other Cardinal Heroes. The series will make its way to Crunchyroll next year. Get a sneak peek at the upcoming season and catch up on the previous seasons, now streaming on Crunchyroll.

• Dengeki Daisy – Crunchyroll revealed the world-wide premiere trailer of Dengeki Daisy. This new romantic comedy tells the journey of an orphan whose encounter with a mysterious hacker embroils her in espionage! 

• Aoashi Season 2 – Ashito’s journey continues October 2026 on Crunchyroll. Following his devastating junior high tournament loss and recruitment of J-League’s top managers, Ashito returns to pursue his dream of becoming one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Get ready for Season 2 by catching up on Season 1, streaming on Crunchyroll. 

• Gacha Girls Corps – Coming to Crunchyroll January 2027, Gacha Girls Corps follows mobile game addict, Heihachi, who gets dragged into another world after making an unusual in-game pull. Attacked by monsters, he does what he knows best, roll gacha, summoning a powerful knight named Norl who may be his only hope.

• Magical Buffs – The Support Caster is Stronger Than He Realized! – After being expelled from his guild for overshadowing its leader, skilled support mage, Wim Strauss, gets a second chance when his childhood friend invites him to join her A-rank guild, Nachtibelle. The new fantasy series comes to Crunchyroll January 2027.

• The Vermilion Mask – Crunchyroll gives fans another look into The Vermilion Mask, coming to the platform October 2026. The series follows Peru, a pupil of the legendary mask maker Gaston Roux, becomes controlled by the “Mask of the Warrior God,” and unintentionally kills his friends, and even his own master. In order to prevent this type of tragedy from reoccurring, Peru swears to destroy all of Gaston’s masks that are spread around the world. Confronting the sins that he has committed, he embarks on his voyage. 

• Overgeared – Coming this year to Crunchyroll, Overgeared follows Grid, an unlucky low-level player in the popular VR game, “Satisfy,” who can’t seem to catch a break, that is, until he gets an opportunity for the S-Rank Quest that changes his life. finds a powerful item that earns him a rare legendary class title: “Pagma’s Successor” and becomes a skilled blacksmith capable of forging unique weapons and equipping the game’s most powerful gear. He sets his sights on fame and fortune, but as his newfound abilities begin stirring up trouble in Satisfy, Grid learns that life as a legend may be more than he bargained for.

PLATFORM & FAN EXPERIENCES

AKIRA – The landmark 1989 cyberpunk anime classic is returning to theatres on September 4, 2026 in the United States and Canada, now in 4K and IMAX. 

Crunchyroll Manga – Launched in October 2025, Crunchyroll Manga features over 400 titles from Japanese publishers including Shueisha, Square Enix, VIZ Media, Yen Press, and more. Major additions now include Kodansha US Publishing titles such as Attack on Titan, Fire Force, and Fairy Tail. During the showcase, the Black Torch manga was announced that it will be available to read on July 13, giving fans the opportunity to seamlessly switch between the anime with one click on Crunchyroll as it begins streaming new episodes on July 4. 

• More New Arrivals: Villainess Level 99; Red Cat Ramen; Ron Kamonohashi: Deranged Detective; Forget That Night, Your Majesty; Eko Eko Azarak Reborn; Grendizer U: The Inception; Three Exorcism Siblings; and Unemployed Killers Support Group. 
• New Chapters This Month: Do Women Need Sex Entertainment?; Farewell, My Odin; Sanda; The Elegant Courtly; Life of the Tea Witch; The Raven Dark Hero; Toxic Super Beasts; Working for God in a Godless World; and Yan.