Bleach LA Artist Collective Gallery

 

The Bleach LA Artist Collective has come and gone from Little Tokyo's JACCC Plaza. It was there just over AX weekend. It featured multiple artists showing off their love for Bleach. Sadly, none of the original pieces were available for order, but just like at the pop-up gallery you can still order prints at the above link. Gotta say, didn't expect to see artist Tokidoki in the mix.

Tokidoki

 

 

What's It Like At The Ryoko Kui Exhibition & "Delicious in Dungeon" Exhibition?

By Jonathan Bilski

 

Oy, why didn't they make a deal with a neighboring restaurant? To say you come out hungry from the dungeon is an understatement. Sure, you're walking distance from the Arts District and Little Tokyo cuisine. Wurstküche nearby makes sense, because it has some random sausage meats to try. Ever try rattlesnake? It, still would have been nice if a deal was struck with any of the restaurants nearby for a special meal or treat for visiting. Guess, you'll just have to eat with your eyes and there was a feast for them.

On the last Sunday of AX, we ventured to the special exhibit featuring the work of artist Ryoko Kui. It's not only Delicious in Dungeon, with a recently announced new season coming out Oct 2027. The Dungeon is definitely the draw, but the first section is all about the artist and her earlier works. It shows precursors to D in D.

 

Much of it is short stories and taking the time to think about what problems might occur dealing with leaving in a world with races out of fairy tales and mythology.

 

What you could also see is that Ryoko Kui is a stellar artist and able to achieve both cutesy and shock from her pages. She can do it all. The first section covers her career in manga and even Delicious in Dungeon. I didn't even know the manga of D in D is over already.

 

 

Loved seeing the art from ending theme up close. 

 

Easily the silliest photo spot in the place

 

Then, a whole other section is devoted to the only anime that is both a adventure and something that easily could air on Food Network. Because, each monster cooked up in the anime is brilliantly plated and explained how to be cooked up like a recipe. And, in this dungeon there was no exception. Food from the show was ready for photos. Wipe the drool of your face.

The food looked good enough to eat in many cases. I was told the replicas of the dishes were made the same way storefront fakes were normally made in Japan. You'll probably have a meal you wish was real from the selection inside. Maybe, not the bug money. Sadly, the best you can do is take a really nice photo of it or with it here. Oh, and maybe somethings want to make a meal out of you for other good photos.
 

The gift shop at the end had plenty of goodies. We just heard even more special merch came in as of writing this; that you won't find anywhere else.

We traversed the dungeon and suggest you too. A perfect hour or so near Little Tokyo...once you have lunch or dinner nearby.

 

 

Ryoko Kui Exhibition & "Delicious in Dungeon" Exhibition

July 2 – 26, 2026 

Open daily from 12:00 PM–7:00 PM

Art Share L.A. 801 E 4th Place, Los Angeles, CA 90013

General Admission: $20

Exhibition-Exclusive Plate (Add-On) : $25 (Limited)

 

 

There's are plenty of pay lots nearby, but give yourself time to find one and possibly stay/walk to, to grab food after. 

Akira Then & Now: Akira 4K Theatrical Re-Release: Sept 4

 

Akira, the legendary animated film will be back in theaters, now in 4K, this September. Just a week or two ago, I spotted someone discussing when Akira was promoted back in NY in 1988. Showing off some huge posters for it on New York City streets. As you can read below, it was for the American promotion of the film from Streamline Pictures. Who, I think gave it, it's first English dub. How weird it must have been to see posters for it with no info. Remember, anime wasn't mainstream back then and Akira is one of the reasons it is now. And, now in 2026, I'm replicating those photos with posters of the new 4K release floating around LA.

We'll remind you when Akira is out in theaters. You don't want to miss how messed-up it gets on the big screen, now in 4k.

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Anime Expo 2026: Booths

 

Turbo Granny Cat statue promoting DanDaDan. New season next year.

 By Jonathan Bilski

Can love change a girl into a monster? What about a booth promoting it? Kaiju Girl Caramelise, airing now on Cruncyroll, was one of the many booths promoting new series that took steps a bit further. Instead of just being a normal backdrop photo-op, the staff would add a big ol' tail and horns to your head. Just like the protagonist from the new series. See, when she gets a bit anxious from lovely dovey stuff she turns into a kaiju. Great concept for a booth to promote the show. Heck, you got me showing it off here.

 Here's many of the booths that caught my eye at AX this year. 

The SEGA/Atlus booth had big lines, but was giving away great promo good and had fun photo-ops throughout the con.

 

This was just outside of the main hall, a nice reminder of Persona 4 Revival.

MEGA64 might have not had a panel at the convention, it was actually at the Alamo Drafthouse this year, but it's booth kept it's weird energy. 

It was not the Paul Giamatti Fan Club booth so many were hoping for.
 

No idea what Brown Dust II is? Neither did many other people, but the came out in droves for the free bags and the utterly insane boat booth. The font ripping of Final Fantasy, chef's kiss.

 

The gashapon booth was always busy with it's return to West Hall. The capsule toy collection always makes you want to stop and grab a neat little desk toy.

 

 

It had some competition this year from SEGA's brand of Gacha next to it with hanging balls.

 

Love and Deepspace has gotten so big it's a main hall booth this year. It's got a very stong fan base of ladies.
 

 

 

On love and troubling behavior involving it. There was a cute button masher promoting Needy Girl Overdose. A pretty messed-up anime on idol worship.

 

Two competing Japanese airline booths? They should have been next to each other like the capsule toy booths.

 

Not sure what to make of the Living in a World without Magic booth. Looks like it was a short online that got a lot of views and the people behind it want to make it a feature length film.

 A cute Junes cafe from the Persona series featuring tasty drinks.

 

Many booths were promoting through epic signage, backdrops and places to take photos.

 

The haptics booth Feel Tech was probably the strangest as they're trying to sell feeling characters? Specifically hololive characters through what seemed a tiny ball you pick up. Haptics current tech is to feel physically something programmed to touch you... not emotionally. But, it can help with emotion/ the moment in tone with a concert or let's say movie/performance. 

Think of it more like stereo sound. Something to enhance entertainment and make you feel as though the action is happening around you. I haven't seen anything with haptics that your imagining like a danger room or virtual reality setting where you can feel something on you. 

Haptics tech is more than just ball that passes on feelings of touch. However, in this case, it's still just a ball that lights up and you can feel movement in tandem with characters on screen. It's still so new, but they're trying to promote it.

 

We have a date for new episodes!