The “Charpy Impact Tester” exhibition from Grand Blue Dreaming 2, which was initially showcased at AnimeJapan 2025 at Tokyo Big Sight, is making its way across the Pacific to Anime Expo 2025! Fans attending Anime Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center will have the opportunity to experience this unique display.
Presented by NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan, in collaboration with Tokyo Japanese Lifestyle and Creative Minds, this special exhibition will be located at Booth SH-1927 in the Exhibition Hall during Anime Expo 2025 in Los Angeles.
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Grand Blue Dreaming is the world’s most unhinged college diving comedy, an over-the-top series known for its exaggerated humor, chaotic characters, and outrageous take on college life. Sports anime meets absolute chaos is the best way to describe it. It has been adapted into both a TV anime and a live-action film, becoming a longtime fan favorite among students and comedy lovers alike.
What is the Charpy Tester?
At the exhibition, the Charpy Impact Tester is a real-life testing machine that measures the energy required to break an object. In a memorable scene from the anime, Iori Kitahara (a college student) and Associate Professor Ushironomiya (who constantly looks down on students) use this pendulum-style machine in a bizarre showdown, competing to see who can position themselves just close enough to avoid getting hit in the crotch.
At Anime Expo, fans can test their own courage with this machine and receive a special participation certificate. Swing by Booth SH-1927 in the South Hall to try it for yourself—and maybe win a prize!
How do I sign up?
All participants must sign a waiver to acknowledge that the test is done at their own risk. Upon signing, you’ll be entered into a prize drawing for the chance to win:
One (1) shikishi autographed by the main cast of Grand Blue Dreaming 2:
- Yuma Uchida (Iori Kitahara)
- Ryohei Kimura (Kohei Imamura)
- Hiroki Yasumoto (Shinji Tokita)
- Katsuyuki Konishi (Ryujiro Kotobuki)
- Chika Anzai (Chisa Kotegawa)
- Maaya Uchida (Nanaka Kotegawa)
- Toa Yukinari (Azusa Hamaoka)
- Kana Asumi (Aina Yoshihara)
- Three (3) shikishi autographed by Yuma Uchida, voice of Iori Kitahara
What happens to the Charpy Impact Tester after AX?
But that’s not all, keeping with Grand Blue Dreaming’s college theme, after Anime Expo, the Charpy Impact Tester machine will be given away to a college or university anime/manga club in the United States! If multiple clubs apply, the winner will be selected by random drawing, which can be entered here.
To qualify, clubs must:
- Be based in the United States
- Be able to pick up the machine in the Greater Los Angeles area
- Have a secure space to display it on campus
Anime Expo 2025 will held in Los Angeles from July 3, 2025 through July 6, 2025.
