Convention - Anime Expo 2025: One Punch Man, Dandadan, and Witch Watch Dominate the Skyline

By Mulder, Los Angeles, Convention Center, 05 july 2025

Anime Expo 2025 lit up Los Angeles like never before, and nothing symbolized its explosive energy quite like the massive banner of Saitama, aka One Punch Man, dominating the skyline outside the Los Angeles Convention Center. Fans entering the main plaza were greeted by the unmistakable glare of the bald-headed hero as he delivered a straight punch through the very fabric of the building’s glassy exterior. Promoting One Punch Man Season 3, the giant key visual presented by Bandai Namco served not just as an advertisement but as a towering beacon of anticipation. Many attendees paused mid-step to snap photos in awe, as if Saitama himself had declared Anime Expo his personal battleground. The image wasn’t just eye-catching—it was a powerful signal that one of anime’s most beloved action-comedies was finally back in the spotlight after years of silence. With One Punch Man trending across Twitter and Reddit during the convention’s opening days, the fervor around this series shows no signs of waning, and the placement of this banner at the crown of AX was a perfect tribute to that enduring passion.

Right around the corner, another blast of raw anime adrenaline was plastered across the west wing of the convention center, and this time it came from Dandadan. The bold red logo, designed to resemble a retro pulp sci-fi comic, drew curious eyes toward the chaotic collage of supernatural madness bursting from the scene. With wild-eyed expressions and cosmic energy radiating from every pixel, this promo announced that Dandadan would be dropping new episodes every Tuesday, signaling a full-scale streaming blitz across Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Netflix via ADN and Aniplex. What really struck many long-time AX attendees was just how strikingly kinetic the mural was. The art style had a raw, unfiltered intensity that matched the manga’s offbeat pace. Con-goers who weren’t previously familiar with the title found themselves pulled in by the sheer spectacle, and the adjacent merch booths near the display quickly sold out of Dandadan-themed gear by Saturday afternoon. It’s this kind of spontaneous discovery and viral word-of-mouth—supercharged by these enormous visual statements—that gives Anime Expo its irreplaceable charm.

But it wasn’t all cosmic chaos and earth-shattering punches. On the more whimsical side of the expo’s exterior decor, fans found the enchanting pastel palette of Witch Watch gracing one of the venue’s eastern towers. This charming slice-of-life supernatural series, brought to streaming platforms like Hulu, Netflix, ADN, and Aniplus, teased new episodes every Sunday, and the artwork felt tailor-made for summer afternoons. Featuring magical girl Morihito Otogi and her eccentric companions mid-spell, the visual offered a refreshing tonal shift from the high-octane drama nearby. The light-hearted banner brought smiles to many attendees—particularly younger fans and cosplay enthusiasts dressed in whimsical costumes. Several artists in Artist Alley even mentioned being inspired by the color palette and composition of the mural, using it as a reference for commissions. The success of Witch Watch’s outdoor presence proves that amidst the monster battles and time-warping aliens, there’s still room for a little magic and heart.

These massive banners—each practically a cathedral-sized love letter to their respective series—weren’t just outdoor advertising. They were declarations of intent. They told passersby and fans alike that anime is not only thriving but evolving into a spectacle culture, where stories, characters, and worlds expand beyond the screen and into the skyline. While panels, premieres, and cosplay competitions raged indoors, the real battleground for attention was fought on the facades of steel and glass, and the victors were the ones bold enough to punch the sky. From One Punch Man’s iconic stare to the chaotic brilliance of Dandadan, and the whimsical charm of Witch Watch, Anime Expo 2025 proved that before fans even step through the doors, the adventure has already begun

Photos : Nickolas Logan / Mulderville