Anime Expo 2024: Kodansha Meets Fans with "Kodansha House" in Los Angeles
The heart of the anime world will beat in Los Angeles this July. Anime Expo (AX) and Kodansha, one of Japan's most established publishers, have signed a major partnership that will excite fans. As part of the convention taking place between July 4-7, 2024, a special pop-up area called Kodansha House will be set up right near the Los Angeles Convention Center. This initiative is seen as part of the publisher's strategy to strengthen its presence in North America and build a more intimate connection with its readers.
Kodansha House promises to offer much more than just a booth. Located at 800 W Olympic Blvd, this special venue will give visitors the chance to step into the worlds of legendary series such as Attack on Titan, Blue Lock, Ghost in the Shell, and Sailor Moon. The venue will feature special manga exhibitions, interactive photo areas, and exclusive limited-edition merchandise. It is also intended to be a hub where fans can learn more about their favorite series and socialize with other members of the community.
Founded in 1909, Kodansha has a massive influence on the industry as one of Japan's largest publishers. The company, which is the force behind works like Hajime Isayama's global phenomenon Attack on Titan and the most popular sports manga of recent times, Blue Lock, has also increased its global reach with its digital platform K Manga. Anime Expo, meanwhile, maintains its title as North America's largest anime event, welcoming over 100,000 unique visitors each year. The coming together of these two giants is proof of how seriously the growth of the manga industry in the Western market is being taken.
Special event spaces like these allow fans to not only consume content but also feel like a part of the stories they love. Kodansha House will be the perfect stop for those who want to escape the heavy crowds of the convention center for a while without compromising their passion for manga. If your path takes you to Los Angeles this July, we recommend you do not miss this unique experience. It is expected that other major publishers will emerge with similar "house" concepts in the coming years, and that physical events will become even more valuable in an increasingly digitized world.
