Aniplex of America marked a major milestone at Anime Expo 2025, commemorating its 20th anniversary with a series of panels, exhibits, guest appearances, and fan-focused events that highlighted the company’s impact on anime fandom in North America. The celebration served as both a retrospective of the distributor’s legacy and a preview of projects on the horizon.

A centerpiece of the festivities was the “Aniplex of America 20th Anniversary Industry Panel,” where company representatives revisited some of the most influential titles in the publisher’s catalog. The event opened with a video montage showcasing anime that helped define Aniplex’s presence in the U.S. market over the past two decades, prompting enthusiastic reactions from attendees as iconic series appeared on screen.

Panelists reflected on the company’s early years, discussing titles such as Gurren Lagann and the original Fullmetal Alchemist, both of which played significant roles in introducing Aniplex releases to Western audiences. The conversation then shifted to the 2010s, highlighting the growing popularity of franchises like Sword Art Online and the importance of television blocks such as Toonami in expanding anime’s reach.

The event also explored the evolution of the Fate franchise. Members of Aniplex’s localization team shared insights into their experiences working on the series and discussed the enduring appeal of Fate/Grand Order, one of the company’s most successful global properties.

Several acclaimed titles from the 2010s received recognition during the presentation, including Your Lie in April, Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, Blue Exorcist, and Puella Magi Madoka Magica. Clips and trailers from these productions underscored the breadth of genres and storytelling styles that have become associated with the Aniplex brand.

No retrospective would have been complete without Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, one of Aniplex’s most successful modern franchises. The audience was treated to a special promotional presentation celebrating the series’ achievements across television, film, and live concert events. Attendees were also reminded of the upcoming release of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle, scheduled to premiere in North America later in 2025.

Beyond looking back, the panel also spotlighted current and upcoming releases. Among the titles highlighted was Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus, the latest installment in the long-running Rascal Does Not Dream franchise. The series received significant attention during the presentation as Aniplex continued to build anticipation ahead of its release. The title would also receive additional spotlight later during the Anime Expo 2025 CloverWorks panel, where attendees were treated to a U.S. premiere screening.

Aniplex also promoted Virgin Punk Clockwork Girl, one of the company’s newer original projects. The title was presented as part of the publisher’s upcoming lineup, signaling Aniplex’s continued investment in original anime productions alongside established franchises.

Fans of action series were given updates on WIND BREAKER Season 2, which remains one of Aniplex’s key television properties. New promotional materials and footage were showcased during the panel as the company emphasized its commitment to supporting recent breakout hits.

The presentation additionally featured updates on several recently announced projects, including Mono, the adaptation of Afro’s manga about a group of photography enthusiasts, and the SK8 the Infinity OVA project. Both titles were included as part of Aniplex’s efforts to maintain momentum across multiple genres, from slice-of-life series to sports and action-oriented productions.

Another project receiving attention was the ongoing expansion of the Lycoris Recoil franchise. The panel highlighted the short-animation series connected to the popular original anime, demonstrating Aniplex’s continued support for one of its most successful recent properties.

The anniversary celebration extended beyond the panel room. Throughout Anime Expo, Aniplex hosted additional programming, including game-focused presentations, anniversary events for Fate/Grand Order and Demon Slayer, a large exhibition booth featuring franchise displays and interactive experiences, and appearances from creators, producers, and voice actors connected to some of the company’s most recognizable properties.

As Aniplex of America enters its third decade, the anniversary festivities demonstrated how the company has grown from a niche distributor into one of the most influential names in anime localization and promotion. By celebrating landmark series while introducing the next generation of titles, the company emphasized both its history and its ambitions for the future.