Anime Expo Lite 2020 digital event set for July 3 to 4, key artwork features The World Ends with You

Following the cancellation of Anime Expo 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation has announced Anime Expo Lite, a two-day live stream event set for July 3 and 4.

Anime Expo Lite will feature content from Bushiroad, Crunchyroll, Pony Canyon, VIZ Media, and more industry partners. More information will be announced in the coming weeks. Planned festivities include:

• Special guests, including artist/character designer Yoshitaka Amano.
• Panel discussions with industry leaders.
• Industry announcements.
• Live content.
• Exclusive content from Japan.
• Q&As.
• Giveaways.

“We are excited to be able to parlay the traditional Anime Expo into a virtual experience,” said The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation CEO Ray Chiang in a statement. “Since 2017, AX has been live-streaming select panels as well as from the convention floor, so it is a natural transition for us to produce a virtual event. As everything in 2020 is different, we see a unique opportunity to be able to share our passion for Japanese pop culture not only with those that would have attended AX but now with any anime fan no matter where they live. With our Anime Expo Lite line-up, we know fans will find plenty of events and special guests to entertain and keep them engaged.”

The key artwork for Anime Expo Lite is a collaboration with Square Enix‘s The World Ends with You.