Opening ceremonies started out with the announcement of a second Anime Expo location next year, on the opposite side of the U.S. AXNY will be held in Times Square, New York, over Labor Day Weekend in 2002. AXNY is planned as a one-off convention, and is not meant to become a yearly recurring event.

AX2001 also saw the appearance of a virtual host and announcer in "Max," a computer generated reproduction of Akitaka Mika's AX Girl illustration, and brought to life by an exo-suit worn by a live person. While not quite as convincing or smooth as the CG actors in the FINAL FANTASY movie, the live-animated Max was a fairly impressive feat nevertheless, and proved to be an entertaining and amusing companion for the live host on-stage.

John Taylor from the City of Hope asked for a moment of silence for Aaron McPeak, a former vidtech staffer who was being treated at the City of Hope for Hodgkin's Disease but unfortunately passed away earlier this year. Mr. Taylor dedicated the proceeds from last year's and this year's charity auction to the memory of Aaron.

After that, the Guests of Honor were introduced to the audience one by one. Mr. Ishiguro wasn't able to make it to Anime Expo in time for opening ceremonies due to a deadline on an upcoming project, and sent a video in his place, showing the damage caused by a fire earlier this year that burned a large portion of Artland Studio and many treasured items. Ishiguro then showed the rebuilt Artland studio, and apologized that he wasn't able to be present at the opening ceremonies. In what would become a running joke that would last throughout the entire convention, Ishiguro held up a "translate" sign every few sentences to inform the interpreter at Anime Expo that it was time to translate what he had just spoken in Japanese.

It was also announced that due to some last-minute work on the COWBOY BEBOP movie, reunion Guest of Honor Kawamoto Toshihiro would not be arriving at AX until Friday. Despite the last-minute schedule change, everyone seemed pleased that Mr. Kawamoto would still be able to attend.

Last but not least, the ever-talented Kamiya Akira brought several voice actors on stage (including the voices behind Isamu Dyson of Macross Plus and Utena from the eponymous show) to demonstrate a live voice dubbing performance. Mr. Kamiya always seems to enjoy himself thoroughly at Anime Expo as much as his fans enjoy his antics and performances (especially at the karaoke session).