Anime Expo has announced a new name for their Guest of Honor category today.

Director Takayuki Hirao will appear at the convention for a special screening of Pompo the Cinephile, which will take place on Saturday, July 1 at 1:30pm inside Room 403. Released in 2021, Pompo the Cinephile is Hirao’s adaptation of Shogo Sugitani’s manga of the same name. The screening will also feature a Q&A session with Hirao, who is also known for their work on God Eater, Magical Sisters Yoyo and Nene, and Gyo. Hirao joins visual artist Yoshitaka Amano (Final Fantasy, Speed Racer) and character designer Yusuke Kozaki (Pokémon, Fire Emblem) as Guests of Honor for the Los Angeles-based anime convention.

Badges for Anime Expo 2023 are on sale to the general public right now here. Anime Expo will take place from July 1 through July 4 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Check out our review and photos from last year’s event here. Catch previous news updates on Anime Expo 2023 here.

Director Takayuki Hirao is coming to #AX2023 as a Guest of Honor! Takayuki Hirao is the director of the movies "Pompo the Cinephile" and "The Garden of Sinners," the TV anime "GOD EATER" and more!
Register Now: https://t.co/4xnjv9nETq pic.twitter.com/O40FdvgsO0
— Anime Expo (@AnimeExpo) May 17, 2023