Anime Central proudly welcomes the Global Anime Challenge 2.0 guests of honor; director Keisuke Shinohara, director Yusuke Yamamoto, director Ayumi Moriyama and director Takushi Koide.
The Global Anime Challenge (GAC) is an international initiative designed to foster cross-cultural exchange and support emerging and mid-career talent shaping the future of anime.
The first Global Anime Challenge was introduced at Anime Central 2025, featuring an outstanding lineup that included Keiichiro Saito (Bocchi the Rock!, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End), Takafumi Nakame (producer known for collaborations with Makoto Shinkai and Mamoru Hosoda), Mana Kudo (animator, Kinema Citrus), and Kaoru Tanimoto (animator and calligraphy designer). Their presence highlighted the depth and diversity of modern anime production, from direction and producing to animation crafting.
Building on that success, Global Anime Challenge 2.0 expands the program with four directors whose work spans viral music-driven openings, award-winning romantic comedy series, long-running global franchise, and bold original projects. Together, they represent the evolving creative landscape of Japanese animation and the voices shaping what comes next.
Global Anime Challenge Collaboration Merch
What happens when Global Anime Challenge (GAC) participants go out to see the world? While directors Keisuke Shinohara and Ayumi Moriyama return from internships in Europe, Director Takushi Koide (Goodbye, Lara) launches his international journey at ACEN. From Paris to Ireland—and now Chicago—GAC participants share stories, insights, and surprises from their experiences abroad. There will be live-drawings, behind-the-scenes of the Anime Central 2026 Official GAC Illustration, and many prize giveaways from the GAC guests!
2026 GAC Shirt Design
KOVAL Collaboration
Panel Information for the Global Anime Challenge
Global Anime Challenge (GAC): Globe-Trotting Anime Creators by Keisuke Shinohara, Takushi Koide & Ayumi Moriyama
What happens when Global Anime Challenge (GAC) participants go out to see the world? While directors Keisuke Shinohara and Ayumi Moriyama return from internships in Europe, Director Takushi Koide (Goodbye, Lara) launches his international journey at ACEN. From Paris to Ireland—and now Chicago—GAC participants share stories, insights, and surprises from their experiences abroad. There will be live-drawings, behind-the-scenes of the Anime Central 2026 Official GAC Illustration, and many prize giveaways from the GAC guests!
Saturday 5/16
10:00a - 12:00p
Live Events 3 (Convention Center)
International Guests of Honor
Anime Central is proud to reveal Director Keisuke Shinohara, Director Yusuke Yamamoto, Director Ayumi Moriyama and Director Takushi Koide as guests of honor from Global Anime Challenge. The guests will share their creative experiences and future visions at ACen, so be sure to check out the Global Anime Challenge panel.
About Keisuke Shinohara
Keisuke Shinohara is the director behind the beloved romantic comedy My Dress-Up Darling, a breakout hit praised for its warmth, charm, and expressive character work. After beginning his career in production and episode direction, Shinohara rose to prominence with BLACKFOX and A3!, before achieving widespread recognition with My Dress-Up Darling, which earned multiple awards and nominations. He returned as director for My Dress-Up Darling Season 2, continuing to refine a style rooted in emotional clarity and strong communication.
About Ayumi Moriyama
Ayumi Moriyama is an episode director whose career has been closely tied to the Pokémon series at OLM. Beginning as an animator, she progressed through key animation into storyboarding and episode direction, contributing to Sun & Moon, Journeys, and Pokémon Horizons. She was part of the team behind the final story arc of Ash Ketchum’s 26-year journey, a historic moment in anime. Her most recent work is as Assistant Director on the TV anime Let’s Play (Fall 2025), an adaptation of a popular American Webtoon, reflecting her interest in global storytelling and cross-cultural production.
About Takushi Koide
Takushi Koide is an animator and director at Kinema Citrus, known for his visually powerful and emotionally resonant work. He served as Assistant Director on Revue Starlight and directed the opening animation and a key episode of Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun. In 2025, Koide made his directorial debut with Goodbye, Lara, an original animated film and the first entirely original project announced by Kinema Citrus. Notably, Goodbye, Lara was first revealed at Anime Central, making Koide-san’s return in 2026 especially meaningful.
About Anime Central
Anime Central (ACen) is the largest anime, manga and Japanese popular culture convention in Chicago and the Midwest. Anime Central 2026 will take place from May 15-17 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare and Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.
