Blue Lock and Witch Hat Atelier Creators Coming to Kodansha House for Anime Expo 2026
Kodansha is hosting a massive event for manga fans as part of Anime Expo 2026, which will take place in Los Angeles this summer. Opening its doors from July 2 to July 12, Kodansha House will welcome three of the most popular names in modern manga: Blue Lock writer Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrator Yusuke Nomura, along with the award-winning creator of Witch Hat Atelier (Tongari Bōshi no Atelier), Kamome Shirahama. This special event will offer fans the opportunity to meet the minds behind their favorite works and get a behind-the-scenes look at the series.
Bringing a fresh and aggressive breath of air to the sports manga genre, Blue Lock managed to turn the momentum it gained during the 2022 World Cup period into a global phenomenon. Muneyuki Kaneshiro's chaotic and competitive storytelling combined with Yusuke Nomura's dynamic, sharp illustrations pushed the series to over 30 million copies sold as of 2024. Published in Weekly Shōnen Magazine since 2018, the series rewrites the rules of the genre not just as a sports manga, but as a psychological battle that pushes characters to their limits.
On the other hand, Kamome Shirahama, creator of Witch Hat Atelier, which is considered one of the modern masterpieces of the fantasy genre, is known for her enchanting art style and detailed world-building. Having won internationally prestigious awards such as the Eisner and Harvey, Shirahama also has a global reputation for the variant covers she has prepared for publishing giants like Marvel and DC. Fans are hoping to hear new details about the artist's vision ahead of the highly anticipated anime adaptation of the series, which is being produced by Bug Films.
Bringing together a creative lineup of this caliber once again proves Kodansha's influence in the global market and the power of manga culture on the international stage. The panels and autograph sessions to be held during Anime Expo are of great importance not only for physical attendees but for the entire world, with new projects to be announced via social media. In particular, possible updates regarding Blue Lock's ongoing anime projects and the production process of Witch Hat Atelier have already become a major topic of curiosity within the community.
