In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Japan Expo is coming strong this year, bringing tons of events to its massive exhibition area in Paris, France, from 4th to 7th July.
Created in 2000, Japan Expo carries on with its original ambition since its first edition, of bringing together Japan enthusiasts, pop culture fans, and curious minds.
The exhibition area of this year edition includes four halls and 16 stages with a total of 140 000 square meters. A cinema room is also added, featuring premieres and new anime on a large screen.
Highlighted events include the stage event of EVANGELION, featuring a 10-minute extract of the upcoming EVANGELION:3.0+1.0 movie, which is set to be released in 2020. Yoko Takahashi (高橋 洋子), the singer of Zankoku no Tenshi no These (残酷な天使のテーゼ) will also perform the opening theme of NEON GENESIS EVANGELION in the event on 6th July.
The live-action movie Tokyo Ghoul S will unveil an exclusive screening at Japan Expo with the actors Masataka Kubota (窪田正孝) , Shota Matsuda, and Maika Yamamoto. Based on Sui Ishida’s (石田スイ) Tokyo Ghoul (東京喰種) manga, it is a sequel to the 2017 adaptation film.
Kubota reprises his role as Ken Kaneki (金木研), while Yamamoto is newly cast as the main heroine Touka Kirishima (霧嶋 董香). The sequel’s main antagonist Shu Tsukiyama (月山 習) will be played Matsuda (松田 翔太).The all-star cast will be joining the premiere event in Japan Expo on 7th July.
Fans of X Japan will be happy to know that the leader of the legendary rock group, Yoshiki, will have an autograph signing and live performance in Japan Expo on 5th July. As an acclaimed solo pianist and composer for films, television, and anime, Yoshiki is currently composing soundtracks for the new xXx 4 film and for the animated feature film “Spycies”. He is also finalising X Japan’s first new studio album in over 22 years.
Other not-to-be-missed programmes include Panel and Live Drawing by Captain Harlock’s mangaka Leiji Matsumoto; Panel and Live Drawing by Mazinger Z’s mangaka Gô NAGAI; Esprit Japon by Japanese singer Ai Otsuka, miwa, Mika Kobayashi and Kamu; Premiere Screening of Hiroyuki Imaishi’s new film, Promare; and conference by FINAL FANTASY XIV Online director Naoki Yoshida.
▲ Japan Expo will have a premiere screening of Hiroyuki Imaishi’s new film, Promare
Japan Expo
Date: 4th – 7th June
Venue: Parc des Expositions de Villepinte
QooApp Booth: Video Games Area, Hall 6, #E661