CRUNCHYROLL PLANS ELECTRIFYING EXPERIENCE AT RECORD-BREAKING EVOLUTION CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES (EVO) 2023

Crunchyroll, the global leader in bringing the ultimate anime experience to fans in over 200 countries and territories, is excited to announce plans for the upcoming record-breaking Evolution Championship Series (Evo) in Las Vegas from August 4-6. This year, Crunchyroll joins forces with Evo to create an electrifying experience tailored to gaming attendees, immersing them in the vibrant world of anime and esports tournaments through hit series, DJ performances, games, special guest appearances, and more. This year Crunchyroll is bringing the newly released Street FighterTM: Duel. The game, available in select territories, lets players step into the ring to collect, level up and battle with over 40 fan-favorite fighters from across the Street FighterTM series. 

“We know fans of gaming and anime share a love of immersive storytelling, engaging characters, and expansive worlds. What better way to celebrate the similarities than to deliver an exciting experience at this vibrant event,” said Terry Li, SVP of Emerging Business and GM of Crunchyroll Games, Crunchyroll. “We’re proud to team up with Evo to create a truly memorable experience for fans attending the event.” 

At the heart of Crunchyroll’s presence at Evo is its interactive booth #K1, which serves as a hub for fans to engage with popular anime touchpoints, including anime, games, music, and merchandise. The Crunchyroll booth is designed to celebrate the captivating visuals and sounds from popular anime, transporting visitors into other worlds. The booth features: 

• Get hands on with Games – Don’t miss a chance to play Street Fighter: Duel and explore the Subscriber Super Arcade where Crunchyroll Subscribers have the chance to win amazing prizes all weekend long. 

• Free Live Performances – Crunchyroll has partnered with Evo to curate an exciting lineup of artists and DJs performing for FREE all weekend long – including K?D, Shihori, James Landino and more! Additional performers include Meirlin, Hyper Potions, VGR, and Kino performing anime and gaming themed sets during Evo. 

• Interactive Photo Ops – Immortalize your Evo experience with photo ops featuring characters from hit series, including SPY x FAMILY, Hell’s Paradise, The Ancient Magus’ Bride, and JUJUTSU KAISEN, alongside Crunchyroll’s all-new interactive, digital photo booth.

• FreeSwag! – The booth will also feature giveaways featuring the most popular anime streaming on Crunchyroll.

• Merchandise – awesome Crunchyroll merchandise available at Evo  for the first time!

• And much, much more!!! Stay tuned for more announcements unveiling details on game collaborations and events happening at the booth. 

Evo, the largest and longest-running fighting game tournament, is shattering records for this year’s event with an 81% increase in total competitors from 2022. Street Fighter 6 set an all-time Evo registration record of 7,061 competitors, surpassing 5,052 competitors in 2016 for Street Fighter V’s debut.  Guilty Gear -Strive-, MELTY BLOOD: TYPE LUMINA, and Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 — Evo 2023’s first-ever Throwback Tournament title — also set new all-time franchise registration records. Evo 2023 will welcome more than 20,000 ticketed competitors and spectators to its tournament convention and Arena Finals so far – a 33% increase from last year at this time.

“Crunchyroll fans will join Evo’s core audience in being thrilled by Evo’s largest event ever as we continue to evolve our gaming convention with expanded activities like the 10,000 square foot retro arcade, Industry and Community Showcases, artist alley, and new vendors and exhibitors alongside our internationally renowned, and once again record-breaking, tournaments,” said Rick Thiher, Evo’s GM. 

Evo will be held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Aug. 4-6, with the finals taking place in the Michelob ULTRA Arena, which has sold out all available seating.  Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 4-5 and 9 a.m. on Aug. 6. Tickets can be purchased at https://www .evo .gg/. The full schedule and visiting vendors and exhibitors will be announced this month.