Globally celebrated manga artist Acky Bright is back at Anime Expo 2025! Known for his signature “kawakakkoii” (cute and cool) style and kinetic live drawing sessions, Acky returns with an expanded lineup of events, exclusive art reveals, and high-profile collaborations that blur the lines between manga, music, and global pop culture.
A Tokyo-based illustrator with a bold, streetwise aesthetic, Acky is on a mission to reignite the emotional intensity of ‘90s shonen manga for a new generation. His unique style has landed him collaborations with powerhouses like Marvel, DC, BMW, Netflix, and McDonald’s, and now, he’s bringing that same energy to the AX stage.
Anime Expo 2025 Schedule
Panel: Acky Bright’s Visual Jukebox
Date/Time: July 5, 2025 | 11:30 AM – 12:20 PM
Location: Room 408 AB
Description: Acky Bright returns to Anime Expo for his third year with an all-new creative showcase. Enjoy a live drawing session, hear exclusive project announcements, and take part in raffles for signed merch and limited-edition collectibles.
Visual Design: J-POP SOUND CAPSULE @AX2025 – Anisong World Matsuri Returns!
In addition to his panel, Acky brings his signature visual style to Anime Expo’s major music festival, J-POP SOUND CAPSULE @AX2025 – Anisong World Matsuri Returns!, taking place July 3 at the Peacock Theater. Acky served as a key visual designer for the event, creating the character art, exclusive merchandise (including a limited-edition t-shirt), and animated stage visuals that define the entire look and feel of the performance. His vibrant designs unify the worlds of J-pop and anime into a singular, immersive experience.
“The passion I felt reading shonen manga in the ’90s — that energy saved me as a kid,” Acky says. “Now, I want to bring that feeling back. Not for fame or money, but to give people something meaningful through this medium.”
From manga and Western comics to apparel and live performance, Acky Bright continues to show that anime and manga aren’t just genres, they’re powerful, borderless languages of creativity. Join him at AX 2025 and be part of a movement that’s inspiring fans around the world.
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