Hajime Isayama, Creator of the Global Pop Culture Phenomenon 'Attack on Titan' to Make First US Appearance at Anime NYC
New York, NY (October 19, 2022) - Anime NYC Powered By Crunchyroll and Kodansha USA Publishing, LLC today announced Japanese manga creator mega star Hajime Isayama will meet fans and media for the first time in North America this November at the upcoming Anime NYC festival. Isayama's Attack on Titan is one of the most popular manga series of all time and has created a $500 million media empire spanning manga, anime, live-action movies, stage plays, video games, and merchandise.
Running November 18-20, 2022 in New York's Javits Center (655 W. 34th Street at 11th Avenue), Anime NYC brings over 50,000 passionate fans together with leading creators and companies from the heart of the Japanese entertainment world. Celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, in addition to Isayama, Anime NYC will play host to Japanese guests of honor including Shūkō Murase (Director, Gundam Hathaway), Setsuo Itō (Voice Actor, Mob Psycho 100), and Yoko Shimomura (Composer, FINAL FANTASY XV). Beyond Kodansha, major Japanese entertainment companies including Aniplex, Bandai, Crunchyroll, GKIDS, HIDIVE, Viz Media, and Yen Press will showcase what's currently hot from Japan to dedicated fans at the fete.
The 36-year-old Hajime Isayama launched his Attack on Titan in 2009, and it concluded after 34 volumes in 2021. A dark and gripping tale of humanity in a war with grotesque giants known as Titans, Attack on Titan has been praised by fans and critics alike for its combination of intense action and horror together with political intrigue and intricate world-building. The New York Times best-selling saga has sold over 100 million copies in print, and the series has won numerous awards across Japan and the US including the Kodansha Manga Award, Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize, and Harvey Award. The anime based on this smash manga success will continue its final season in 2023.
"This is it - Hajime Isayama in his first U.S. appearance, and it's going to be at Anime NYC," said Alvin Lu, President & CEO of Kodansha USA Publishing. "After more than ten years of publishing Attack on Titan, we are very, very excited to help host Isayama-sensei and to see him meet the fans that have loved and supported this amazing pop-culture phenomenon throughout the years. This will be an Anime NYC to remember."
“Attack on Titan changed the world,” said Anime NYC Event Director Peter Tatara. “It told a startling story unlike anything else in Japanese or American entertainment and led to a new generation falling in love with Japanese comics and dedicating their hearts to Isayama's incredible characters. We're now absolutely honored to play host to Hajime Isayama and give his American fans their very first opportunity to meet the legendary creator.”
Hajime Isayama will conduct a rare signing for fans on Friday, November 18 at Anime NYC, and he will then appear on Anime NYC's Main Stage on Saturday, November 19 for a talk about his masterpiece. Details on tickets for his signing and Main Stage session will be announced in early November. He will also be available for limited media interviews.
Kodansha will host a booth all three days of Anime NYC featuring a special Attack on Titan activation. Find them at Anime NYC at booth #1530.
Limited badges for Anime NYC are available at animenyc.com. To learn the latest about Hajime Isayama and upcoming Anime NYC guests, follow the event on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
