Anime fans, the Virtual Crunchyroll Expo date is inching closer! Don’t miss out on one of the biggest English anime events of the year.
V-CRX Returns for Its Second Year
Virtual Crunchyroll Expo (V-CRX) 2021 is set for this August 5-7. Registration is open and completely free! The announcement says that anime fans will be transported to “New Crunchy City,” where there will be guest panels, exclusive world premieres, and merchandise for sale.
If you’re a cosplayer, artist, or even just someone with really good ideas, V-CRX 2021 is calling for you, too! Crunchyroll is now taking entries for the fan-chosen programming, cosplay contest, and artist showcase at V-CRX 2021.
Fan Programming
Crunchyroll Expo was created for anime fans, which is why the event organizers are allowing fan programming. You have until June 11 to pitch “programming, content, entertainment, and other great concepts” to Crunchyroll to include in V-CRX 2021.
We have room for many fan submitted ideas and productions, but space is limited so not all entries will be accepted. We recommend that you apply soon, and give us your very best reasons for why we should choose your ideas to share with the fans at Virtual Crunchyroll Expo 2021.
Crunchyroll-Hime’s Cosplay Cup
Crunchyroll-Hime’s Cosplay Cup is a cosplay competition open to cosplayers of all skill levels. That said, no more than 30 entries will be selected to compete in the show.
To enter, you must have a V-CRX 2021 badge and reside in a country that has access to the Crunchyroll streaming service (though physical prizes can only be shipped to the US and Canada). All competitors accepted into the show will need to submit tax paperwork ahead of the competition.
Additionally, you can participate in the competition as an individual or as a group with up to five members. Entries must be submitted before June 6 at 11:59pm PDT. Selected participants will be notified by June 13.
There are three categories or “pillars” of cosplay-related skills that all entrants will be judged upon: construction, performance, and innovation. Each of the three entry levels—beginner, intermediate, and advanced—has a prize for the best in each pillar.
The special prizes are the ones everyone wants to win, though. This year, those are Best Individual, Best Group, Crunchyroll-Hime’s Rising Star, and Best In Show. The combined value of the pillar prizes and special prizes is over $10,000.
Lots of rules and regulations for this one, so we recommend thoroughly reading everything on the competition’s section of the V-CRX site.
Anime Arts District
The Anime Arts District is just Crunchyroll’s version of your typical convention’s “artist alley.” It’s where a selection of talented artists get to display and sell their artwork related to anime and otaku culture.
Submissions for the Anime Arts District close on May 7, and selected artists will be notified by May 28.
What Is the Crunchyroll Expo?
The Crunchyroll Expo is Crunchyroll’s annual flagship convention for fans of all things anime. Before the pandemic, it was a three-day anime convention held every year in August or September (whenever the Labor Day weekend rolls by) at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California.
Both the 2020 and 2021 editions of CRX have been entirely virtual, as the event organizers look out for the health and safety of its attendees.
Register for Virtual Crunchyroll Expo 2021 Now!
To stay updated on the latest V-CRX 2021 announcements, you can sign up for the newsletter.
Register for V-CRX 2021 before April 30 and you’ll receive exclusive backgrounds for desktops, mobile, and Zoom. You’ll also qualify for all of Crunchyroll’s “future exclusive digital pre-show prize packs.”