Firmly planted at Anime Expo this weekend, VIZ Media (booth #1914) delivered one of its biggest AX showcases to date.
VIZ Media Headlines Anime Expo 2026 with Blockbuster Showcases
The Japanese pop culture powerhouse headlined the world premiere of BLACK TORCH, the launch of GalaXic Baseball League, a new original sci-fi manga from acclaimed artist Acky Bright, and held numerous fan experiences celebrating some of Japan’s most beloved franchises.
VIZ brought together fans, creators, and industry partners through exclusive premieres and creator programming throughout Anime Expo. Retail activations and immersive exhibits included:
- The debut of the first-ever official Studio Ghibli Pop-Up Shop in the United States
- The return of the fan-favorite Shonen Jump Pop-Up Shop
- A one-of-a-kind BLEACH Artist Gallery
Black Torch Supernatural Action Series Makes World Premiere
VIZ Media and Crunchyroll hosted the world premiere of BLACK TORCH, giving fans an exclusive first look at Episode one during a special Anime Expo panel featuring English voice actors AJ Beckles (Jiro) and Keith Silverstein (Rago).
Black Torch Key Visual
Based on Tsuyoshi Takaki’s hit manga (published by VIZ Media), 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.
Series 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.”
Black Torch is now streaming exclusively on Crunchyroll. View the official trailer.
Acky Bright and Shonen Jump Legends Debut “GalaXic Baseball League”
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 also featured Antoniette Sluytman, creator of the VIZ One Shot Deepseeker, who shared insights into developing original manga.
AX also marked the launch of Acky Bright’s GalaXic Baseball League, a new original sci-fi manga from the internationally acclaimed artist, developed with editorial guidance from former Weekly Shonen Jump Editor-in-Chief Hisashi Sasaki.
GalaXic Baseball League Vol 1
The manga series imagines a universe where Major League Baseball superstars – including Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Fernando Tatís Jr., Jazz Chisholm Jr., Kyle Schwarber and Paul Skenes – must compete in an intergalactic baseball tournament to save Earth.
You can read the work now on Viz Manga and watch the series’ Vol 1 official trailer.
Immersive Fan Experiences & Art Installations Across Los Angeles
Back by popular demand, the official Shonen Jump Pop-Up Shop returned to Los Angeles with exclusive imported merchandise and fan-favorite collectibles from manga series like Naruto, Dragon Ball, One Piece, Sakamoto Days, Ichi the Witch, and more!
Looking to explore the retail side of VIZ’s massive weekend announcements? Skip the long convention lines and read our step-by-step Shonen Jump Shop LA Guide to map out your trip to Torrance!
First-Ever Official Studio Ghibli Pop-Up Shop Opens in the U.S
The official Donguri Republic destination based in Torrance, California, will allow fans to step 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.
Read our Studio Ghibli Pop-Up Shop Guide.
BLEACH Comes to Life Through Immersive Artist Gallery
VIZ 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.
Timed to Anime Expo and the upcoming premiere of BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Calamity, the BLEACH LA: The Artist Collective Artist Gallery transformed Los Angeles’ Japanese American Cultural & Community Center into an immersive celebration of one of anime’s most influential franchises.
Open July 1st – July 5th, 2026, the exhibition will include:
- Original artwork inspired by BLEACH characters, scenes, and themes
- Artist-created reinterpretations and original concepts inspired by the world of BLEACH
- Exclusive art prints and merchandise
- A digital gallery experience and online store
The virtual gallery tour and online shop is available through Bleach LA’s website.
Follow VIZ Media for all the latest manga and anime news on X, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.
🏮 Read More In Asian Spaces
Discover more exclusive interviews, reviews, and news hubs across the In Asian Spaces universe:
- Manga Creator Spotlights: Want a closer look at the groundbreaking sports crossover hitting digital shelves? Read our dedicated feature on MLB Legends Enter the Multiverse: Acky Bright and VIZ Media Unveil “GalaXic Baseball League” Manga.
- Nostalgia Hub: Dive into our deep-dive thoughts on a legendary creator’s newest dark fantasy anime streaming run: Reliving the Inuyasha Nostalgia: MAO Episode 1 Review — A Darker Taisho Era Mystery.
- Action & Comedy Alerts: Looking for more high-octane adaptations making their way to your television screens soon? Check out our breakdown of the Rooster Fighter Anime Premiere Dates: When to Watch on Toonami, Hulu, and Disney+.
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