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With E3 wrapped and Gamescom Asia still months away, the gaming world is pivoting its attention to a different kind of hype: Anime Expo 2025. Set for July 4–7 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Anime Expo 2025 will be one of the largest hybrid fandom events of the year.
Anime Expo 2025: Where Otaku Meets Joystick
This year’s expo has a record 40+ game-related panels, with major players like Capcom, Bandai Namco, miHoYo, and Nintendo all scheduled to appear. The lines between anime and games are blurring faster than ever, as crossover events, character reveals, and exclusive mobile games dominate headlines. Here’s what you need to know.
Confirmed activations:
Bandai Namco will debut a Dragon Ball: Legacy of Zeno game trailer, promising RPG+arena hybrid gameplay.
miHoYo is teasing a major expansion for Honkai Star Rail featuring a crossover with Chainsaw Man.
Nintendo will host a cosplay showcase and a sneak peek at Fire Emblem: Echoes of Lumina, rumored to feature animated cutscenes directed by Studio Trigger.
Otaku-Gamer Crossover Explodes on Social
The hashtag #AX2025Gaming began trending after streamers and cosplay influencers previewed early badge kits that include limited codes for:
- Genshin Impact AX-exclusive weapons
- Roblox: Demon Slayer Trials, a new AX-themed game mode
- Persona 6 visual teaser artwork
TikTok creators have already started rolling out side-by-side animations comparing in-game skins to real-world cosplays. One clip featuring a Chainsaw Man x Star Rail look-alike hit 1.2M views in 24 hours.
Mobile Gaming Surges with Anime Collabs
This week alone, three major mobile game/anime crossovers went live:
- Tower of Fantasy x One Piece launched a timed Sea King raid
- AFK Arena added Trigun Reborn guest heroes
- Cookie Run: Kingdom kicked off its My Hero Academia sweet escape event
This blend of anime license and gacha economics is fueling massive downloads. App Store rankings jumped immediately—miHoYo and Level Infinite saw 8–15% download spikes according to SensorTower.
Splitgate 2 Panel Dropped After SGF Controversy
Following last week’s political mishap at Summer Game Fest, the developers of Splitgate 2 quietly canceled their AX appearance, citing “community trust repair.” AX organizers confirmed the slot has been filled by a Bleach: Soulrift Online PvP showcase.
What to Watch for at AX
- Capcom Day 1 Reveal: New Monster Hunter: Wilds anime-style cinematic rumored
- Indie Row: Expect Ink & Ember and Hydrosync to appear in the Crunchyroll-sponsored indie arcade
- Late-Night LAN: Switch 2 + cosplay crossover tournaments set for July 6, including Mario Kart World brackets
