Last year at the San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), Hiroyuki Takei and Stan Lee both made a surprise appearance at the Viz Media panel to promote the recently added Ultimo series to Shonen Jump. This year, both will be making a return appearance to Comic-Con. Stan Lee is already confirmed as a special guest to the convention, and there was a full page ad in the latest Shonen Jump issue.. Hiroyuki Takei is currently being brought as a panelist for Viz Media’s panel, however, an additional signings panel (like last year) is likely as well. Takei will most likely there to promote Ultimo volume 2, which is released in the USA on July 6th with Shaman King volume 29. There is a chance that Viz could license Takei’s new manga series “Jumbor” or the reprint editions for Shaman King (Kang Zeng Bang) for English release by Viz.

Stan Lee will be at the convention all weekend long. Takei will only be at the convention on July 23rd and July 24th. One of the days will be for the Viz Media panel, and the other day will most likely be for a signing event. It is unknown if Stan Lee will be at the same signing as Takei.

During the Anime Expo panel today, Viz Media promoted both Shaman King volume 29 and Ultimo volume 2. They did not mention Hiroyuki Takei will be at SDCC. However, Stan Lee will have a special Ultimo volume signing at the Barnes & Noble at The Grove at Farmers Market in Los Angeles. The signing starts at 7pm.

Viz will be at SDCC booth #2813 for the entire weekend. You can view a portion of the panel from last year on Viz’s website. Shaman King Nation will continue to follow this story and any news announced at the panel.

UPDATED on 7/9:

Viz has also sent out a press release detailing Stan Lee’s signings of Ultimo at Comic-Con with some new details. Viz’s Shonen Jump panel will be on Saturday July 24th from 10:30am to 11:30am in Room 9. The press release didn’t mention Hiroyuki Takei’s appearance. The signings will take place on July 24th at 1:15pm at Viz’s booth. Also, if you are one of the first 60 people to buy Ultimo volume 2 from Viz’s booth, you will receive a ticket to get it signed by Stan Lee (and Takei) on July 24th.