Otakon Bookworm Panel: High-Fives, Winter Battles & Romance Teases

Otakon 2026 saved one of its liveliest industry rooms for Ascendance of a Bookworm: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke. Producer Goshi Yoshida barreled out from backstage, looped the hall, and high-fived fans down the center aisle—an entrance that set the tone for a panel built on pure series love rather than stiff talking points.

Voice actress Yuka Iguchi (Rozemyne) described recording the book-obsessed noble as one of the cutest gigs of her career, while praising the veteran ensemble around her—including Kazuhiko Inoue as Sylvester—and the little pre- and post-session rituals that keep the booth humming. Director Yoshiaki Iwasaki said the cast is so locked into their roles that he barely needs to course-correct; original creator Miya Kazuki sits in on sessions, which keeps everyone honest when the light novels leave visual scale to interpretation.

Staff then rolled a special promo cut from upcoming episodes: Sylvester and Rozemyne coordinating, her magic stepping up, and a clash with the Lord of Winter—visualized as a massive white tiger. Iguchi flagged combat prep as some of her favorite material to record, and the team teased more multi-character spotlighting plus romance that may finally move past purely familial or platonic warmth. Nearly everyone on the production has read the novels cover to cover.

The room closed on a fun Ascendance of a Bookworm × Witch Hat Atelier collab reel—no brand-new animation, but a sharp edit underscoring how both series treat writing as magic, a nod made possible because the two authors are real-life friends. After a record-breaking con weekend, the takeaway was clear: this season is aiming louder, wider, and more heartfelt than the book-printing days that started it all.

Official: Official site · X