AFEELA x Anime: Itasha-Wrapped AFEELA 1 Debuts in San Diego at Crunchyroll Anime FanFest | SDCC 2025 Recap

Sony Honda Mobility unveiled a unique version of the AFEELA 1 at the Crunchyroll Anime FanFest 2025, introducing San Diego to a revolutionary new way to experience anime entertainment. Leaning into anime culture, the AFEELA 1 stood out with a stunning Itasha wrap featuring characters from The Brilliant Healer’s New Life in the Shadows anime series which is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

Attendees got up close and personal with the AFEELA 1, sharing photos and videos to their socials and enjoyed exclusive AFEELA mystery boxes filled with an array of themed merchandise. AFEELA technical specialists were also on site to educate attendees about how the AFEELA 1 will have in-cabin Crunchyroll streaming capabilities, a first-of-its-kind integration bringing anime directly into the driving experience.

As if the car weren’t enough, the AFEELA team also built a Japanese inspired konbini (convenience store) around the AFEELA 1, featuring an assortment of snacks as props ranging from cereal boxes to cups of noodles. The backdrop of the booth also took cues from an authentic konbini, creating a market experience that felt immersive for attendees.

A Festival for Fans

Crunchyroll Anime FanFest 2025 served as an extension of the San Diego Comic-Con action, drawing fans from the San Diego Convention Center to the iconic Rady Shell venue at Jacobs Park. The Crunchyroll team curated an experience including anime and anime-inspired music for a two-day festival including musical artists like ALI, SPYAIR, Denzel Curry and more.

The festival took place from 1pm – 10pm on Friday and Saturday featuring food and beverage, exclusive merchandise, a VIP area for premium Crunchyroll members and even fireworks.

What’s Next for AFEELA?

Coming soon: AFEELA Pop-Up in San Diego
If you didn’t get a chance to see AFEELA at Crunchyroll Anime FanFest, you’ll have another opportunity! Starting in September, AFEELA will launch a 30-day pop-up experience at Palm Plaza in University Town Center, La Jolla, CA. This immersive showcase will let visitors explore the AFEELA 1 up close and experience exclusive content and demonstrations.

About AFEELA
“AFEELA” represents the fusion of intelligence and emotion in motion. It’s mobility that senses you—and that you can feel. At its core, AFEELA brings to life a next-generation driving experience built on advanced sensing, interactive technology, and human-centered design. The AFEELA 1 will be the brand’s first production model, launching in California by the end of 2025.

About Sony Honda Mobility of America Inc.
Sony Honda Mobility of America Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Sony Honda Mobility Inc.—a 2022 joint venture between Sony Group Corporation and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Our mission is to redefine mobility as a living, connected experience by blending Sony’s innovation in entertainment and sensing with Honda’s world-class automotive engineering. Learn more about us at shm-afeela.com and follow us on Instagram, YouTube, X, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

About Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is the global anime brand that fuels fans’ love of anime. With the ambition to make anime an even bigger part of pop culture, Crunchyroll offers fans the ultimate anime experience and destination centered around a premium streaming service. Crunchyroll has the largest dedicated anime library, an immersive world of events, exciting theatrical releases, unique games, must-have merchandise, timely news, and more. Anime is for everyone and is accessible to stream across territories through Crunchyroll—whether on the go on mobile, through gaming consoles and big-screen devices at home, or on desktops anywhere.

Crunchyroll, LLC is an independently operated joint venture between U.S.-based Sony Pictures Entertainment and Japan’s Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., both subsidiaries of Tokyo-based Sony Group.