Crunchyroll Reveals SXSW 2026 of Anime Panels, ‘Sekiro’ Sneak Peek

Crunchyroll is bringing anime to Austin.

The anime giant on Tuesday unveiled its lineup for SXSW 2026, taking place in the Texas town next month. 

The schedule includes panels on topics revolving around how anime became so big around the world, including design, fandom and how to immerse your brand in the anime community, featuring experts and leaders from the worlds of entertainment, tech, sports and culture.

In addition, there will be an interactive activation focusing on the hit series Sentenced to Be a Hero, and an exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming series Sekiro: No Defeat, featuring a Q&A with the director and music composer.

“SXSW has always been a vital convergence point for the forces shaping modern culture across tech, music, film, television, gaming and art; it’s where the most important pop culture conversations come together,” said Mitchel Berger, executive vp global commerce at Crunchyroll. “With anime undeniably having a major cultural moment right now, it feels especially meaningful for Crunchyroll to fuel the conversation around anime, its creators and its passionate fandom on the ground in Austin.” 

Crunchyroll is North America’s leading distributor of anime films as well as a global licensing and merchandising operation, an anime fandom events business and an emerging hub for music and games. It’s an independently operated joint venture between U.S.-based Sony Pictures Entertainment and Japan’s Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.

See below for Crunchyroll’s SXSW lineup and official descriptions (all times CT)*:

Sentenced to Be a Hero: Teoritta Doll Activation

Public activation
March 14-18
Omni Hotel Lobby Atrium

Sentenced to Be a Hero is a dark fantasy where condemned criminals are forced into service as Heroes, fighting a demon king’s army in a relentless war with no escape. At the center of this world is Teoritta, a goddess who fights alongside the Heroes, offering guidance, judgment, and moments of quiet humanity amid the conflict. To celebrate the series’ debut on Crunchyroll, SXSW will host an industry-first Teoritta Doll installation that brings the anime’s story into the real world. The Teoritta Doll leverages cutting-edge animatronics technology to deliver lifelike expressions and interactive responses when guests gently pat her head. Designed as a story-driven experience, the installation offers fans a rare in-person encounter with the emotional core of the series and invites new audiences to step directly into Teoritta’s world. No badge required. (Watch a new promo for the series below.)

Toys and Games of Today and the Future of Play

Panel
10 a.m. March 15
Marriott Downtown Austin

For generations, play has shaped how we imagine, connect, and create. Today it spans toys, gaming, anime, sports, and emerging tech, blending physical and digital worlds into shared experiences. As new technologies, platforms, and global fandoms accelerate, play is being redefined in real time.  Play is no longer confined to a toy aisle, a console, or a screen; it now unfolds across worlds, driven by creativity, community, and connection.  Join industry innovators exploring how breakthrough technologies, powerhouse partnerships, and mixed-world experiences are shaping the future of play, creativity, and culture.

How Anime Became a Worldwide Cultural Force

Panel
2:30 p.m. March 16
Omni Hotel

Anime isn’t niche; it’s the fastest-growing global fandom in entertainment. Among Gen Z, 54% say they “like” or “love” it, placing anime’s cultural relevance alongside major sports and global icons. Its emotional power runs deep: 48% of fans have had a crush on a character, showing anime’s ability to build emotional worlds and deep connections. For Gen Z, it’s identity and community; for Gen X, nostalgia. With leaders from Crunchyroll, Twitch, and anime community voice Lena Lemon joining us, this panel explores anime’s rise and future.

Crafting Sekiro: No Defeat: Hand-Drawn Animation & Original Score

Sneak peek first look
4 p.m. March 16
Omni Hotel 

FromSoftware’s Sekiro is being reimagined as a hand-drawn anime built with an analog-first (hand drawn) philosophy,  prioritizing craftsmanship, motion, and texture over shortcuts. Join director Kenichi Kutsuna, composer Shuta Hasunuma, and Crunchyroll’s Associate Creative Director and Host Lauren Moore, for a behind-the-scenes look at how Studio Qzil.la is bringing Sengoku Japan to life: from research and concept, to action choreography, background art and sound.

The Anime Advantage: Brand Strategy Meets Cultural Power

Panel
2:30 p.m. March 17
Austin Marriott Downtown

Anime is no longer a niche! It’s one of today’s most powerful tools for extending franchises, reimagining IP, and reaching global audiences. This panel explores how talent, brands, and creators are using anime as both a narrative and business engine to fuel next-gen storytelling. For musicians, athletes, game studios, and fashion labels, anime offers a dynamic, fan-forward way to build immersive worlds, show up meaningfully in pop culture, and engage loyal audiences that drive long-term brand equity.

Designing for Fandom: Where Brand Meets Belonging

Panel
2:30 p.m. March 18
Austin Marriott Downtown

Fandoms aren’t audiences; they’re communities. And communities thrive on meaning, identity, and emotion. This panel explores how brands use design to speak the language of fans and build deep cultural connections. From anime to gaming to pop culture collabs, motion mnemonics, and type systems inspired by subculture, we’ll unpack how visual identity becomes a tool for trust, transformation, and belonging. When done right, design doesn’t just sell, it unites.

*Details subject to change