San Japan 2024 celebrated its 15th show in San Antonio with over 25,000 unique attendees. While the convention has a very local vibe, the event organizers were able to bring notable Japanese industry members including animators from studio TRIGGER including Chigusa Kiyota and Rino Kodama, voice actor Toshio Furukawa, voice actor MIKI shin-chiro, anime director Hiroshi Nagahama, Polygon Picture president Shuzo John Shiota, Studio 4C founder Eiko Tanaka, and musical band BURNOUT SYNDROME. Here are some key industry highlights over the Labor Day weekend.
Some key creative highlights include a live Delicious in Dungeon drawing from studio TRIGGER animators Chigusa Kiyota and Rhino Kodama. The two sketches featured Laios, Marcille, Chilchuk, Senshi, and Izumi at the San Antonio Zoo and Falin (Chimera) and live drawing by anime director Toshio Nagahama, who drew Detroit Metal City character Soichi Negishi.
Other industry studio insight opportunities include a public Q&A session with Studio 4C founder Eiko Tanaka and Polygon Picture president Shuzo John Shiota and the screening of Polygon Picture’s Kaina of the Great Snow Sea: Star Sage movie.
From the voice acting side, a joint panel with MIKI shin-ichiro, Toshio Furukawa, and Hiroshi Nagahama opened up the opportunity for the three to talk about their industry insights and a little bit about the upcoming Uzumaki anime series. Nagahama is serving as the director of the series with MIKI shin-ichiro as the voice of Shuichi Saito and Toshio Furukawa as the voice of Kirie’s father.
From the musical side, a live concert with an opening by Nicholas Leung, the English voice of Den Heng from Honkai Star Rails, brought fans of Haikyu!, Dr. STONE, Gintama, and more to jam out to some of BURNOUT SYNDROME hit anime theme songs.
San Japan will be returning for its 16th show on August 29-31, 2025 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio.
