Day 2 of Anime Expo 2017 got off to a fun start.  With the panels we were set to cover not due to start until later in the day, it gave the KKS team time to explore the wonderful things Anime Expo has to offer. This began at the main entrance to the expo hall where multitudes of cosplayers gathered for photo-ops with photographers. Cool cosplays included YoRHa No.2 Type B (2B) of the smash hit video game NieR: Automata and Mei from Overwatch, Blizzard’s team-based online first person shooter game.

After getting some great photos of cosplayers (view them exclusively on our Facebook page), the team headed down to Artist Alley, located just below the exhibit hall and food court. Artist Alley is a fan favorite area as it has so much great fan art on offer. It really is a place for the fans, by the fans, as artists cater to the needs of the expo goers.

After exploring the wonderful world of art, we headed over to the Entertainment Hall, a place gamers could call “home” for the weekend. From the huge Blizzard Booth welcoming visitors as they enter the hall to the rows of consoles and arcade games where they could play to their heart’s content, it’s no wonder gamers spent almost all day in this part of Anime Expo! The Entertainment Hall also offers cosplayers and photographers alike photo ops in some of the coolest sets! A favorite amongst the cosplayers was the classroom set decorated with desks and a chalkboard.

After our team had finished checking out all the latest Blizzard merchandise, we headed out to attend panels hosted at the J.W. Mariott, an opulent hotel located a 10-minute walk from LACC. First panel of the day was a Voice Actor’s Panel during which several lucky fans were able to show off their voice acting skills, some of which had the audience erupt in laughter.  The fun experience allowed fans to see just how much work goes into the dubs of some of our favorite anime.

Ending the day on a great note, the last panel we attended was the FLCL 2 & 3, primarily known as Fooly Cooly, with guests Production I.G.’s Maki Terashima-Furuta and Toonami’s Jason DeMarco. The space was filled to capacity, a reflection of the fact that many fans have been waiting years for the anime to make a return, which it is scheduled to do in 2018.  Fans were excited to hear that the tracks for the acclaimed anime series will be produced by Japanese alternative rock band, The Pillows. Make sure to stay tuned for the release of FLCL 2 & 3 in 2018!