Otaku Magazine Celebrates 10 Years With Offer

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Greetings Fellow OTAKU!

It's hard for me to believe, but for 10 years running, Otaku USA Magazine has been THE source for anime, manga, gaming, j-pop, cosplay, rubber monsters, and other fantastical things from Japan: the land of the rising FUN!

That's right! Otaku USA is officially polishing off our 10th year of publication! Can you believe it all started waaaaaaay back when our first issue hit the stands with an August 2007 cover date?

I'll tell you more about how we got started, but first, to help us celebrate, we're offering fans of Anime Expo a super-special — super cheap — subscription offer: 1 year, for only $14.

That's $21 OFF the single-copy cost. And 30% off our regular subscription rate.

OTAKU USA Magazine
Anime Expo Special Offer
1 Year, $14 Bucks

How We Started

In early 2005, I quit my job at Viz Media, where I had been an assistant editor at Animerica magazine. I spent about a year afterward living in Tokyo, working on book projects, but eventually I needed another regular gig.

In the summer of 2006, I saw an ad looking for an editor for a new "Anime/ Manga/Gaming" magazine, which sounded like something I could do, so I sent over my résumé and crossed my fingers. Once it was clear I got the job, it was knuckle-down time, and the fun really started — we had to make a new magazine from scratch. We've been going strong ever since!

Our Name

The word "otaku" was kind of disreputable in Japan, where it had negative connotations, but lots of American fans were increasingly comfortable using it as sort of a badge of honor; labeling themselves as passionate fans of Japanese pop culture. Most "normal" people didn't know what the word "otaku" meant at all, and that was fine. I didn't want to make an anime-manga magazine for casual viewers.

Our writers lived and breathed in the deep end, and we wanted to reach readers who were down there with us. So I decided to name the magazine Otaku USA. The publisher was okay with that and generally accepted all my editorial decisions from that point on.

Our Readers

One of the most rewarding aspects of working on the magazine is hearing from our readers. We get letters all the time from people that say that they don't have any other friends who like anime and manga where they live so Otaku USA is their only connection to fandom. We've gotten letters from people in prison and people deployed as soldiers overseas who say the magazine helps get their minds off their problems. There was even an Otaku USA wedding... two people met at the bookstore over an issue of Otaku USA and wound up falling in love. They took a photo at their wedding where everyone has an issue of our magazine in their hands.

That's why here at Otaku USA Magazine, we are celebrating 10 glorious years by offering our Anime Expo friends our incredible magazine all year long for a super-discounted price.

THANK YOU FOR 10 YEARS OF OTAKU USA!
Patrick Macias, Editor

OTAKU USA Magazine
Anime Expo Special Offer
1 Year, $14 Bucks

Anime Expo Announces Record Attendance For AX 2013

Source: Anime Expo News Release

LOS ANGELES, CA, July 11th, 2013 – Anime Expo celebrated its twenty-second year with a record 61,000 unique attendees, and turnstile attendance of over 161,000 for the annual Japanese pop culture convention, held July 4th - 7th, 2013 in Los Angeles.

This year's highlights included a packed show at Club Nokia for the legendary Japanese rock band PORNOGRAFFITTI, an appearance by George Wada, producer of the wildly popular series “Attack on Titan”, fashion shows from a number of popular Gal brands from Shibuya, and Anime Expo's first “Shinjuku Masquerade Ball”.

Anime Expo also introduce its Cosplay Participation Area for the first time, offering cosplay photo sets featuring a classroom scene, Sakura grove, a futuristic spaceship interior, and more. Cosplayers eagerly descended on the photo environments, which were part of the larger “Entertainment Hall”, which also featured cosplay meet-ups. Table Top and eGaming, and an arcade.

The convention also played host to the North American premieres of “Garden of Words”, “Ghost in the Shell ARISE”, “Kick-Heart!!”, and “Star Blazers 2199”.

The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation would like to thank all of our attendees, Guests of Honor, industry guests and partners, and sponsors for making Anime Expo 2013 possible. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Los Angeles for Anime Expo 2014, to be held July 3rd – 6th, 2014.

About Anime Expo
Hosted annually in Los Angeles, Anime Expo is North America's largest celebration of Japanese culture. Anime Expo 2014 will be held July 3 - 6, 2014 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. To register, or for more information, please visit the Anime Expo website.

About the SPJA
The SPJA ("Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation") is a non-profit organization whose mission is to popularize and educate the American public about Japanese entertainment culture, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. For more information, please visit the SPJA website.

Gaijinpot At Anime Expo

My good friends at Gaijinpot announced at Facebook that they will be having a booth at the upcoming Anime Expo in Los Angeles:

GaijinPot will be at the Anime Expo Los Angeles Convention Centre from July 4 ~ 7 to answer all your questions about working and living in Japan.  

GaijinPot.com is the largest English language job board and lifestyle website for foreigners in Japan. Come see us at booth #1524 to learn more about: 

• How can I get a job in Japan? 

• Do I need a degree to work in Japan? 

• Is English spoken there? 

• How much Japanese do I need to know? 

• What kind of visa do I need? 

• Are there other jobs besides English teaching?  

• How much will I make and is it expensive to live there? 

We are here to answer all your questions about working and living in Japan so come visit us at booth #1524!  

 For more information check us out at http://s.gaijinpot.com/gp-anime 

Why do I hold Gaijinpot to such high regard?  They did this nice write-up on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan back on December 16, 2010. They interviewed me while I was in Japan and included this photo with their article:

Anime Expo Reveals 2013 Program Guide Cover Art

Source: Anime Expo News Release

Anime Expo proudly reveals the cover to our 2013 program guide! Max, the official mascot of Anime Expo, is depicted in a boldly energetic piece illustrated by our artists in Japan and evokes the exciting experience awaiting attendees at our annual convention.

Our current Guest of Honor lineup for AX 2013 includes:

Voice Actors Eric Vale, Kyle Hebert, Christopher Sabat, and Johnny Yong Bosch with his band Eyeshine, Screenwriter Mari Okada, and Japanese electro/club scene DJ Ram Rider. We also welcome as industry guests J-Pop group Starmarie. Be sure to follow us on our social media channels, because we have more guest announcements on the way!

Anime Expo will be held July 4-7 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

For more on the 2013 Anime Expo, go here.

ANIME EXPO 2012 PRESENTS THE PREMIERE OF THE “MUVLUV” SERIES FIRST TV ANIME

Source:  Anime Expo News Release

LOS ANGELES (June 30, 2012) Anime Expo 2012 (AX) -- North America’s largest anime, manga and Japanese pop culture celebration -- will present the highly-anticipated premiere of Total Eclipse” on July 1 -- the same day the anime debuts on TV in Japan. Kouki Yoshimune, the anime’s executive producer will appear in a special panel discussion in conjunction with the screening. In addition vocalists featured on the show, Minami Kuribayashi and ayami, will perform in live concert at Anime Expo when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012.

"The stars were truly in alignment to allow Anime Expo to give our attendees the chance to see the first episode of “MuvLuv” on the very same day fans in Japan will view it,” said Marc Perez, CEO of the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation, the non-profit that produces Anime Expo.

“Total Eclipse” will be produced by Kouki Yoshimune whose previous productions include “MuvLuv” Series. Based on the popular “MuvLuv” PC Game and visual novel, the anime’s main story takes place in Alaska and its main character, Yuuya Bridges, is Japanese-American.  The simultaneous Japanese and American debuts echo the global essence of the anime’s narrative.

Minami Kuribayashi has performed songs for many anime series, including “Carnival Phantasm,” “Infinite Stratos,” “Katanagatari,” “Medaka Box,” “Mobile Suit Gundam AGE,” and “Rumbling Hearts.” The singer ayami performed on the opening theme song “Freedom” for “Battle Spirits: Heroes” as a vocalist with the musical group RAMM.

The “Total Eclipse” production team joins the previously announced Anime Expo 2012 line-up that includes composer joins the previously announced Anime Expo 2012 line-up that includes composer Yuki Kajiura/”FictionJunction;” anime-inspired heavy metal band ANIMETAL USA; Culture Japan’s Danny Choo; Fate/Zero” creative team Hikaru Konda, Ei Aoki and Rikiya Koyama; Madhouse creative team Morio Asaka, Kunihiko Hamada and Takuya Tsunoki;, animation director Tatsuo Sato; voice actors Ryo Horikawa, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Jamie Marchi, Monica Rial, and Steve Blum; Japanese pop star LiSA, Lolita fashion designer Cyril Lumboy, Lolita model Misako Aoki; Tokyo-based Gallery of Fantastic Art and popular cosplayer Jessica Nigri.

About Anime Expo

Now in its 21st year, Anime Expo is North America's largest celebration of anime, manga and Japanese pop culture. Anime Expo gives fans the rare opportunity to meet and hear from some of the most famous anime, manga, musical, game and fashion artists from Japan. AX 2012 will feature an exciting schedule of exclusive screenings; artists' panels; live concerts; cosplay, dance parties, karaoke and video competitions; non-stop video gaming and unsurpassed shopping from more than 300 vendors. AX 2012 takes place June 29 – July 2, 2012 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. To register or for more information, please visit www.anime-expo.org. Connect with Anime Expo on Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube.

About the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation

The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to popularize and educate the American public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property, Anime Expo®. For more information, please visit www.spja.org.

ANIME EXPO 2012 WELCOMES THE MADHOUSE CREATIVE TEAM OF “CHIHAYAFURU” -- ASAKA MORIO, KUNIHIKO HAMADA, AND TAKUYA TSUNOKI – AS OFFICIAL GUESTS OF HONOR

Source: Anime Expo News Release

LOS ANGELES (June 14, 2012) – Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture celebration, today announced three members of Madhouse studio’s “CHIHAYAFURU” creative team – Director Asaka Morio, Animation Director Kunihiko Hamada and Animation Producer Takuya Tsunoki – as Official Guests of Honor when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012. 

Asaka Morio joined Madhouse’s creative department after graduating from Osaka Designer’s College.  Morio made his debut as an episode director on the television series “YAWARA! A FASHIONABLE JUDO GIRL!.”  He is the director of “CARD CAPTOR SAKURA,” the highly regarded TV anime series adapted from CLAMP’s popular manga series of the same name.  He has also worked on “POPS”, “MERMAID SCAR”, “GALAXY ANGEL”, “CHOBITS”, “GUNSLIGER GIRL”, “CLAMP IN WONDERLAND”, and “NANA”.  Morio’s most recent directorial work is the critically acclaimed karuta-action series “CHIHAYAFURU”.

During his long tenure at Madhouse, Kunihiko Hamada has contributed to many popular animation series.  He teamed up with Director Morio Asaka on the animation adaption of “CARD CAPTOR SAKURA” (Animation Director), and “NANA” (Character Design & Chief Animation Director).  His other works as Chief Animation Director include, “ULTIMATE SURVIVOR KAIJI,” “MORYO NO HAKO,” “SUMMER WARS.”  Most recently, he joined forces with Morio again to adapt “CHIHAYAFURU” into animation.

Takuya Tsunoki began his career in animation at Madhouse.  As a young producer, he is with the studio today to help it create the future of animation.  Tsunoki has been involved in projects such as “NANA,” “KAIJI ULTIMATE SURVIVOR” and “CASSHERN SINS.”  He is making his debut as a production producer on the critically acclaimed “CHIHAYAFURU.”  Tsunoki is currently preparing an upcoming TV series with the Madhouse production team.

The Madhouse team joins the previously announced Anime Expo 2012 line-up that includes composer Yuki Kajiura/”FictionJunction;” anime-inspired heavy metal band ANIMETAL USA; Culture Japan’s Danny Choo; Fate/Zero” creative team Hikaru Konda, Ei Aoki and Rikiya Koyama; animation director Tatsuo Sato; voice actors Ryo Horikawa, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Jamie Marchi, Monica Rial, Steve Blum, Joel McDonald and Ian Sinclair; Japanese pop star LiSA, Lolita fashion designer Cyril Lumboy, Lolita model Misako Aoki; Tokyo-based Gallery of Fantastic Art and popular cosplayer Jessica Nigri.

About Anime Expo

Now in its 21st year, Anime Expo is North America’s larges celebration of anime, manga and Japanese pop culture. Anime Expo gives fans the rare opportunity to meet and hear from some of the most famous anime, manga, musical, game, and fashion artitsts from Japan. AX 2012 will feature and exciting schedule of exclusive screenings; artists’ panels; live concerts; cosplay; dance parties, karaoke, and video competitions; non-stop video gaming and unsurpassed shopping from more than 3,000 vendors. AX 2012 takes place June 29-July 2, 2012 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. To register or for more information, please visit www.anime-expo.org. Connect with Anime Expo on Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube.

About the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation

The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to popularize and educate the America public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property, Anime Expo®. For more information, please visit www.spja.org.

Anime Expo 2012 Kicks Off With Star-Studded Red Carpet And Opening Ceremony

Source: Anime Expo News Release

LOS ANGELES (June 13, 2012) – Anime Expo®  -- North America’s largest anime, manga and Japanese pop culture celebration -- officially kicks off Thursday, June 28 with a star-studded Red Carpet and Opening Ceremony at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Anime Expo Official Guests of Honor will greet fans on the red carpet at 6 p.m. with the Opening Ceremony to follow at 7 p.m.

Now in its 21st year, Anime Expo 2012 (AX) will present some of today’s most exciting anime, manga, musical, game and fashion artists from Japan and the U.S.; main event concerts and contests such as the crowd favorite Masquerade; new and exciting interactive offerings and even Lounge 21, where over-21 attendees can enjoy wine, beer and cocktails.

Announced Guests of Honors include composer Yuki Kajiura/”FictionJunction;” anime-inspired heavy metal band ANIMETAL USA; Culture Japan’s Danny Choo; Fate/Zero” creative team Hikaru Konda, Ei Aoki and Rikiya Koyama; Madhouse creative team Asaka Morio, Kunihiko Hamada and Takuya Tsunoki; animation director Tatsuo Sato; voice actors Ryo Horikawa, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Jamie Marchi, Monica Rial, Steve Blum, Joel McDonald and Ian Sinclair; Japanese pop star LiSA, Lolita fashion designer Cyril Lumboy, Lolita model Misako Aoki; Tokyo-based Gallery of Fantastic Art and popular cosplayer Jessica Nigri.

The following are highlights of the AX Main Events, all to be held in Hall G of LACC:

Day Zero: June 28, 2012

6:00 – 6:40 p.m.                        Red Carpet

7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.               Opening Ceremonies

Day One: June 29, 2012

5:30 – 6:30 p.m.                        ANIMETAL USA Concert

9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.             Anime Music Video (AMV) Contest

Day Two: June 30, 2012

7:00 – 8 p.m.                             Yuki Kajiura/”Fiction/Junction” Concert

Day Three: July 1, 2012

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.                        LiSA Concert

3:00 – 4:00 pm.                         Japan Fashion Mix at AX 2012: Fashion Show hosted by Misako Aoki and Danny Choo

                                                  with up-and-coming J-pop singer Kyoka

8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.             Masquerade

Day Four: July 2, 2012

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.                       Art Auction

1:00 – 6:00 p.m.                        SPJA Charity Auction

6:00 p.m.                                   Closing Ceremonies

About Anime Expo

Now in its 21st year, Anime Expo is North America’s larges celebration of anime, manga and Japanese pop culture.  AX 2012 will feature and exciting schedule of exclusive screenings; artists’ panels; live concerts; cosplay; dance parties, karaoke, and video competitions; non-stop video gaming and unsurpassed shopping from more than 3,000 vendors. AX 2012 takes place June 29-July 2, 2012 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. To register or for more information, please visit www.anime-expo.org. Connect with Anime Expo on Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube.

About the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation

The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to popularize and educate the America public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property, Anime Expo®. For more information, please visit www.spja.org.

ANIME EXPO 2012 WELCOMES THE “FATE/ZERO” CREATIVE TEAM OF HIKARU KONDO, EI AOKI AND RIKIYA KOYAMA AS OFFICIAL GUESTS OF HONOR

Source: Anime Expo News Release

LOS ANGELES (June 1, 2012) – Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture celebration, today announced three members of the “Fate/Zero” creative team -- Producer Hikaru Kondo, Director Ei Aoki and Voice Actor Rikiya Koyama -- as Official Guests of Honor when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012. 

Hikaru Kondo established the animation studio “ufotable” in 2000.  As a producer, he worked on the 7-theatrical movie series “The Garden of sinners,” “Futakoi Alternative,” “Manabi Straight,” “Tales of Symphonia” and others. Most recently, he produced the TV Series “Fate/Zero,” “the Garden of sinners –Final Chapter-“ as well as directed “Black Rock Shooter the Game.”

In Japan, ufotable opened the first “ufotable café” at its Koenji Studio to promote interaction with fans.  With the success of the first shop, the company opened a second café at Tokushima Studio, followed by the “ufotable dining” restaurant in Shinjuku, Tokyo.  In addition, in March 2012 it built the “ufotable CINEMA” in Shinjuku, the first movie theater built by an animation company in Japan.

Ei Aoki made his debut as an episodic director for “Please Teacher!” the TV Series in 2002.  In addition to “Fate/Zero,” his credits as a director include “The Garden of Sinners” Chapter 1, “GA-REI –Zero-,“ “Wandering Son (Horo Musuko)” and “Girls Bravo” to name a few.

Rikiya Koyama portrays the character Kiritsugu Emiya in “Fate/Zero.”  The popular voice actor has played numerous other roles including Yamato of “NARUTO Shippuden”, Coyote Stark of “BLEACH”, Kogoro Mouri of “Detective Conan”, FLASTE SCHOLE of “Gundam UC”, Vash of “FINAL FANTASY XII” and Kuze Hideo of “Ghost in the Shell S.A.C. 2nd GIG.”

Kondo, Aoki and Koyama will team with Producer Atsuhiro Iwakami to share behind-the-scenes stories of the making of the hit anime series with fans at Anime Expo.  As Official Guest of Honors, they will also participate in a meet-and-greet and autograph signing.

The “Fate/Zero” team joins the previously announced Anime Expo 2012 line-up that includes composer Yuki Kajiura/”FictionJunction,” anime-inspired heavy metal band ANIMETAL USA, Culture Japan’s Danny Choo, popular voice actors Jamie Marchi, Monica Rial and Steve Blum, animation director Tatsuo Sato, Japanese pop star LiSA, Lolita fashion designer Cyril Lumboy, Lolita model Misako Aoki and the Gallery of Fantastic Art.

About Anime Expo

Now in its 21st year, Anime Expo is North America’s larges celebration of anime, manga and Japanese pop culture. Anime Expo gives fans the rare opportunity to meet and hear from some of the most famous anime, manga, musical, game, and fashion artitsts from Japan. AX 2012 will feature and exciting schedule of exclusive screenings; artists’ panels; live concerts; cosplay; dance parties, karaoke, and video competitions; non-stop video gaming and unsurpassed shopping from more than 3,000 vendors. AX 2012 takes place June 29-July 2, 2012 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. To register or for more information, please visit www.anime-expo.org. Connect with Anime Expo on Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube.

About the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation

The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to popularize and educate the America public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property, Anime Expo®. For more information, please visit www.spja.org.

ANIME EXPO 2012 ANNOUNCES ANIMATION DIRECTOR TATSUO SATO AS AN OFFICIAL GUEST OF HONOR

Source: Anime Expo News Release

LOS ANGELES (June 1, 2012) – Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture celebration, today announced animation director Tatsuo Sato, as an Official Guest of Honor when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012. 

Tatsuo Sato started his career as an animator and an assistant director at Asia-Do. He made his solo directorial debut with the TV series "Soar High! Isami" and has since gone on to direct the TV series "Martian Successor Nadesico" and its sequel feature film "Martian Successor Nadesico: The Motion Picture - Prince Of Darkness."

Tatsuo collaborated on the avant-garde animation film "Cat Soup" with an old friend, animator/director Masaaki Yuasa. The film won double prizes in the 6th Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal: "Best Short Film" and "Film Critic's Association Prize". It was also the winner of the 2001 Agency for Cultural Affairs' "Excellence Prize" at Japan's Media Arts Festival. In the same year, he released the TV animation series "Shingu: Secret Of The Stellar Wars" which was based on his own original story. Tatsuo's most recent TV series is "Shigofumi” and has a new animation project in development.

Tatsuo Sato joins the previously announced Anime Expo 2012 line-up that includes composer Yuki Kajiura/”FictionJunction;” anime-inspired heavy metal band ANIMETAL USA; Culture Japan’s Danny Choo;  popular voice actors Jamie Marchi, Monica Rial and Steve Blum; Japanese pop star LiSA; Lolita fashion designer Cyril Lumboy; Lolita model Misako Aoki and the Gallery of Fantastic Art.

About Anime Expo

Now in its 21st year, Anime Expo is North America’s larges celebration of anime, manga and Japanese pop culture. Anime Expo gives fans the rare opportunity to meet and hear from some of the most famous anime, manga, musical, game, and fashion artitsts from Japan. AX 2012 will feature and exciting schedule of exclusive screenings; artists’ panels; live concerts; cosplay; dance parties, karaoke, and video competitions; non-stop video gaming and unsurpassed shopping from more than 3,000 vendors. AX 2012 takes place June 29-July 2, 2012 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. To register or for more information, please visit www.anime-expo.org. Connect with Anime Expo on Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube.

About the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation

The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to popularize and educate the America public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property, Anime Expo®. For more information, please visit www.spja.org.

ANIME EXPO 2012 WELCOMES VOICE ACTRESS MONICA RIAL AS AN OFFICIAL GUEST OF HONOR

Source:  Anime Expo Press Release

LOS ANGELES (May 21, 2012) – Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture celebration, today announced “Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt” voice actress Monica Rial as an Official Guest of Honor, when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012.   Rial, who is the voice of Stocking, will participate in a meet-and-greet, autograph signing and a focus panel with Jamie Marchi, the voice of Panty.

Monica Rial has been working in the anime voice over industry for over 13 years. She has lent her voice to over 250 anime including “Baccano!” (Chane), “Black Butler” (Mei Ren), “Black Cat” (Kyoko), “Negima” (Konoka/Kazumi/Satsuki), “Soul Eater” (Tsubaki), “Witchblade” (Maria), and many more. She can be heard on the Cartoon Network in “ShinChan” (Ai), “Fullmetal Alchemist” (Lyra/Dante), “Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood” (May Chang), “Case Closed” (Amy), and “Trinity Blood” (Vanessa). You can also catch her on Nicktoons and the CW as Bulma in “Dragonball Z Kai.“  Rial is also an ADR script adaptor and occasionally a director for Funimation Entertainment.

Monica Rial joins the previously announced Anime Expo 2012 line-up that includes composer Yuki Kajiura/"FictionJunction," anime-inspired heavy metal band ANIMETAL USA, Culture Japan’s Danny Choo, popular voice actors Jamie Marchi and Steve Blum, Japanese pop star LiSA, dolldelight designer Cyril Lumboy and the Gallery of Fantastic Art.

About Anime Expo

Now in its 21st year, Anime Expo is North America’s larges celebration of anime, manga and Japanese pop culture. Anime Expo gives fans the rare opportunity to meet and hear from some of the most famous anime, manga, musical, game, and fashion artitsts from Japan. AX 2012 will feature and exciting schedule of exclusive screenings; artists’ panels; live concerts; cosplay; dance parties, karaoke, and video competitions; non-stop video gaming and unsurpassed shopping from more than 3,000 vendors. AX 2012 takes place June 29-July 2, 2012 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. To register or for more information, please visit www.anime-expo.org. Connect with Anime Expo on Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube.

About the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation

The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to popularize and educate the America public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property, Anime Expo®. For more information, please visit www.spja.org.

ACCLAIMED COMPOSER YUKI KAJIURA RETURNS TO ANIME EXPO FOR A LIVE CONCERT

Source:  Anime Expo Press Release

LOS ANGELES (May 18, 2012) – Anime Expo (AX), North America's largest anime, manga and Japanese pop culture celebration, will feature a live concert by acclaimed composer and producer Yuki Kajiura when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012.   Kajiura brings her unique fusion of Japanese and European styles to AX in “FictionJunction,” her music project featuring the composer on keyboards and a special vocalist.

The multi-talented Yuki Kajiura began her music career performing in the female trio See-Saw. She has gone on to establish herself as a solo musician, composing music for other artists as well as producing for TV, commercials, films, anime and games.  In 2002 she had a major hit with “Annaniisshodattanoni,” the ending theme song of TV anime “Mobile Suit Gundam SEED” and featuring See-Saw.  In 2004 she launched her “FictionJunction” project.  In 2007 she produced the music for “the garden of sinners” theatrical series, and since then she has produced the popular group “kalafina,” whose latest album “After Eden” reached No.3 in ORICON weekly chart. 

Kajiura has produced music for diverse areas of entertainment including the film “Achilles and the Tortoise” directed by Takeshi Kitano, the NHK historical documentary “Rekishi Hiwa Historia,” (soundtrack), and the soundtracks for TV anime “Puella Magi Madoka Magica”, “Fate/Zero”, and “Sword Art Online.”  Last year she released “FICTION II”, the sequel to her first solo album “FICTION.”  Kajiura previously wowed Anime Expo fans in 2003 when she performed songs from “FICTION.” The date and time of the “Yuki Kajiura/FictionJunction” concert will be announced shortly.

Yuki Kajiura/"FictionJunction" join the previously announced Anime Expo 2012 line-up that includes anime-inspired heavy metal band ANIMETAL USA, Culture Japan’s Danny Choo, popular voice actors Jamie Marchi and Steve Blum, Japanese pop star LiSA, dolldelight designer Cyril Lumboy and the Gallery of Fantastic Art.

About Anime Expo

Now in its 21st year, Anime Expo is North America's largest celebration of anime, manga and Japanese pop culture. Anime Expo gives fans the rare opportunity to meet and hear from some of the most famous anime, manga, musical, game and fashion artists from Japan. AX 2012 will feature an exciting schedule of exclusive screenings; artists' panels; live concerts; cosplay, dance parties, karaoke and video competitions; non-stop video gaming and unsurpassed shopping from more than 300 vendors. AX 2012 takes place June 29 – July 2, 2012 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. To register or for more information, please visit www.anime-expo.org. Connect with Anime Expo on Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube.

About the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation

The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to popularize and educate the American public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property, Anime Expo®. For more information, please visit www.spja.org.

ANIME EXPO 2012 WILL FEATURE CULTURE JAPAN’S DANNY CHOO AS MASTER OF CEREMONIES AND VOICE ACTRESS JAMIE MARCHI AS AN OFFICIAL GUEST OF HONOR

LOS ANGELES (May 4, 2012) – Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime,
manga and Japanese pop culture celebration, today announced Japanese pop culture sensation Danny Choo as its Master of Ceremonies and “Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt” voice actress Jaime Marchi as an Official Guest of Honor. Choo is making his third consecutive appearance at AX when the event returns to the LA Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012. Jaime Marchi, who is making her debut at AX, will participate in a meet-and-greet, three autograph signings and a focus panel.

Danny Choo resides in Tokyo and runs a media production company where he produces a brand called Culture Japan which is made up of a web portal, TV show and products that focus on disseminating information on Japanese culture to the world. Choo hosts and directs the Culture Japan TV show, which is broadcast weekly on Tokyo MX TV in Japan, across the whole of Asia on the Animax Networ k and in America on Mnet America. The Culture Japan website features Choo’s musings on all things anime, including Japanese and Otaku culture, cosplay and gaming. Choo is also creator of the character Mirai Suenaga who has collaborated with many companies in the Japanese animation industry.

In addition to his AX hosting duties, Choo will be a Guest Speaker on Japanese Fandom and Culture at Project Anime, the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation-sponsored industry conference that takes places immediately prior to AX.

Beyond providing the voice of title character Panty, the multitalented Jamie Marchi is the lead writer for the script adaptation of the hit series “Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt.” Among her other voice acting credits are roles from “Witchblade”(Masane), “Hetalia”(Narrator), “Soul Eater” (Liz), “Shin Chan” (Miss Polly), “YuYu Hakusho”(Juri), “Fruits Basket “(Motoko), “Black Cat” (Rinslet), (Chloe), “Rin “(Mimi), “Blassreiter” (Amanda), as well as the unforgettable Mikako Satsukitane in “Heaven’s Lost Property.” Marchi also has an impressive list of behind-the-scenes credits writing script adaptations and directing series including “Heroic Age,” “Sgt. Frog,” “Spice and Wolf,” “Hetalia: Axis Powers,” and “Negima!?”

Danny Choo and Jamie Marchi join the previously announced AX 2012 line-up that includes popular voice actor Steve Blum and Japanese pop star LiSA.

About Anime Expo
Now in its 21st year, Anime Expo is North America’s largest celebration of anime, manga and Japanese pop culture. Anime Expo gives fans the rare opportunity to meet and hear from some of the most famous anime, manga, musical, game and fashion artists from Japan. AX 2012 will feature an exciting schedule of exclusive screenings; artists’ panels; live concerts; cosplay, dance parties, karaoke and video competitions; non-stop video gaming and unsurpassed shopping from more than 300 vendors. AX 2012 takes place June 29 – July 2, 2012 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. To register or for more information, please visit www.anime-expo.org. Connect with Anime Expo on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

About the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation
The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to popularize and educate the American public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property, Anime Expo®. For more information, please visit www.spja.org.

ANIME EXPO WILL FEATURE VOICE ACTOR STEVE BLUM AS AN OFFICIAL GUEST OF HONOR

Source: Anime Expo News Release

Above, Steve Blum.  Photo courtesy Anime Expo.

LOS ANGELES (April 6, 2012) – Anime Expo, North America’s largest anime, manga and Japanese pop culture celebration, today announced popular voice actor Steve Blum as an Official Guest of Honor.  One of anime’s most prolific voice actors, Blum will participate in a meet-and-greet, autograph signing and focus panel at Anime Expo when it returns to the LA Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012,

With literally hundreds of credits to his name, Steve Blum is well known as the voice of “Spike Spiegel” from “Cowboy Bebop,” “Wolverine” from several incarnations of X-Men (animated movies, games, the Wolverine and the X-Men TV Series, The Super Hero Squad Show and X-Men Anime) and “Orochimaru,” “Zabuza,” and others from “Naruto” -- to name a few.  His has also lent his distinctive deep voice to 7-11 television and radio ads, dozens of Digimon and a gigantic list of other characters from anime, video games, TV and film. Currently fans can catch him on the new super-charged CGI series “Transformers: Prime,” playing the sometimes delusional but always deadly Decepticon “Starscream”, as “Heatwave” on the brand new kid-friendly, “Tr ansformers: Rescue Bots!” and joining the cast of “Avatar: The Legend of Korra” as the evil “Amon.”

About Anime Expo

Now in its 21st year, Anime Expo is North America’s largest celebration of anime, manga and Japanese pop culture.  Anime Expo gives fans the rare opportunity to meet and hear from some of the most famous anime, manga, musical, game and fashion artists from Japan.  AX 2012 will feature an exciting schedule of exclusive screenings; artists’ panels; live concerts; cosplay, dance parties, karaoke and video competitions; non-stop video gaming and unsurpassed shopping from more than 300 vendors.  AX 2012 takes place June 29 – July 2, 2012 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  To register or for more information, please visit www.anime-expo.org.  Con nect with Anime Expo on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

About the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation

The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to popularize and educate the American public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property, Anime Expo®.   For more information, please visit www.spja.org.

LiSA To Perform At Anime Expo

Source: Anime Expo News Release

LOS ANGELES (April 2, 2012) – Anime Expo, North America’s largest anime, manga and Japanese pop culture celebration, will present the U.S. debut concert of Japanese recording artist LiSA, whose chart-topping single “Oath Sign” is the theme song for the wildly popular anime series Fate/Zero. In addition, LiSA will be a Guest of Honor participating in a meet-and-greet, autograph signings and focus panels at Anime Expo, when it returns to the LA Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012.

LiSA burst onto the Japanese music scene with her role on the hit anime Angel Beats! as the singing voice for Yui, one of the vocalists in the in-show band “Girls Dead Monster.” Beyond being chosen as the theme song to Fate/Zero, her first single entered the Japanese Oricon weekly charts at #5, and went on to capture the #2 spot on the daily charts. In advance of her Anime Expo appearance, Aniplex of America will bring four of LISA’s releases to the US including her full-length album and Special Edition combos on Blu-Ray or DVD giving fans an exciting preview of this engaging singer.

“Anime Expo has a long history of introducing the hottest, new musical acts to North American audiences by presenting their debut performances on our stages,” said Marc Perez, CEO of the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation, the non-profit that produces Anime Expo. “This tradition continues in 2012 with LiSA who promises to thrill the Anime Expo attendees.”

The date and time of the LiSA concert will be announced shortly. For more information, visit www.anime-expo.org.

About Anime Expo

Now in its 21st year, Anime Expo is North America’s largest celebration of anime, manga and Japanese pop culture. Anime Expo gives fans the rare opportunity to meet and hear from some of the most famous anime, manga, musical, game and fashion artists from Japan. AX 2012 will feature an exciting schedule of exclusive screenings; artists’ panels; live concerts; cosplay, dance parties, karaoke and video competitions; non-stop video gaming and unsurpassed shopping from more than 300 vendors. AX 2012 takes place June 29 – July 2, 2012 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. To register or for more information, please visit www.anime-expo.org. Connect with Anime Expo on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

About the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation

The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to popularize and educate the American public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property, Anime Expo®. For more information, please visit www.spja.org.

ANIME EXPO 2011 CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY WITH MOST SUCCESSFUL CONVENTION IN EVENT’S HISTORY

Source: Anime Expo Press Release

LOS ANGELES, CA (July 14, 2011) -- Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime and manga event, celebrated its 20th anniversary with its most successful event ever – four days at the Los Angeles Convention Center that drew over 125,000 fans of Japanese animation, manga (comic books) and pop culture.

The program was highlighted by the first-ever U.S. performance of Japan’s latest pop sensation, the digital diva Hatsune Miku, which debuted to a sold-out Nokia Theater audience and garnered publicity worldwide. Anime Expo, sponsored by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA), also hosted over 200 exhibitors showcasing tens of thousands of products and a sold-out Artist Alley, a venue for amateur and semi-professional artists to celebrate Japanese pop culture through fantastic works of art.

In addition to musical concerts and a packed dealer’s hall, the event enabled fans to meet and hear from the creative forces behind the art form as Anime Expo’s Guests of Honor hosted informative artist panels and autograph sessions. Themed the “Year of the Fan,” attendees were truly able to fully-immerse themselves in the AX experience with costume play, non-stop karaoke and dance, exclusive and World Premiere screenings, gaming and much more.

“This really was an incredibly special year for us,” said Marc Perez, the non-profit SPJA’s Chairman and CEO. “Our fans are the most amazing group of people and their enthusiasm for one of the world’s great entertainment art forms is unparalleled.” According to Perez, those fans were responsible for also raising nearly $30,000 dollars at the SPJA Charity Auction which was dedicated this year to the Japanese Red Cross Society to aid in disaster relief.

ANIME EXPO 2011 ANNOUNCES MADHOUSE STUDIO CREATORS AS GUESTS OF HONOR

Source: Anime Expo 2011 News Release

LOS ANGELES (June 21, 2011) -- Anime Expo 2011 has announced Tetsuro Araki, Masayoshi Tanaka and Kentaro Hashimoto of Madhouse Studios as Guests of Honor. The trio will be present for a special July 2nd screening of the acclaimed zombie apocalypse series “HIGHSCHOOL OF THE DEAD” and will host a creator’s panel at Anime Expo, when it returns to the L.A. Convention Center from July 1 - 4, 2011.

Tetsuro Araki has engaged with a number of animated TV series, including “Di Gi Charat Nyo” and “GUNGRAVE,” as a Madhouse staff. He makes a shocking directorial debut, with the animation adaptation of the comic series “DEATH NOTE.” Since then he has directed the vampiric saga “Kurozuka” and adapted the zombie apocalypse “Highschool of the Dead.” Mr. Araki is now working with Production I.G. on his new series “Guilty Crown.”

As an animator, Masayoshi Tanaka has worked on popular series such as ”X,” “CHOBITS,” “EUREKA 7,” “HONEY AND CLOVER” and many more. As character designer and chief animator, his most famous works include “TORADORA!,” the animated adaptation of the Shonen Jump series “REBORN!” and “HIGHSCHOOL OF THE DEAD.” He is currently working on “Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae o Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai” at A-1 Pictures.

Kentaro Hashimoto has produced mega-hit animated television series like “Death Note” and “Kurozuka”. Mr. Hashimoto has brought out new animated interpretation of the classic literature by Ango Sakaguchi in “Aoi Bungaku: In the Forest, Under Cherries in Full Bloom.” His newest series is the acclaimed zombie apocalypse action animated series “Highschool of the Dead.”

The roster of Anime Expo 2011 Guests of Honor includes Japanese pop trio Kalafina; singing sensation Maon Kurosaki; techno pop band Nirgilis; “LASTEXILE -Fam, The Silver Wing-“ production team Koichi Chigira, Makoto Kobayashi, Takaaki Suzuki and Hiroyuki Birukawa; Japanese TV Host and blogger Danny Choo; voice actress and singer Miyuki Sawashiro; voice actors Toshio Furukawa, Vic Mignogna, Toshiyuki Morikawa and Taliesin Jaffe; stars of the Power Rangers series and movies; video game developer Sohei Niikawa; Crypton Future Media CEO Hiroyuki Itoh and Producer Wataru Sasaki; Vocaloid songwriter Onyx Kobayashi; manga artists Izumi Matsumoto and Fred Gallagher and anime director Seiji Mizushima. Anime Expo has also announced Hatsune Miku as its first ever Virtual Guest of Honor. Themed the “Year of the Fan,” Anime Expo 2011 will fully immerse guests into the world of Japanese animation, manga (comic books), music and fashion. Anime Expo is a non-stop marathon of Japanese pop culture that’s been likened to Halloween in July.

To stay updated on all of the latest Anime Expo 2011 news, follow us on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook and check us out on YouTube.

About Anime Expo

Held annually in Los Angeles, Anime Expo is North America’s largest anime and manga celebration. Anime Expo gives fans the rare opportunity to meet and hear from some of the most famous anime, manga and musical artists from Japan and get into the action through everything from costume play, karaoke and video competitions to exclusive screenings, non-stop video gaming competitions and the wildly popular Masquerade, in which fans transform themselves into their favorite characters through creative costuming, accessories and make-up and put on their own show before an audience of thousands. AX 2011 will be held July 1 – July 4, 2011 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. To register or for more information, please visit www.anime-expo.org.

Anime Expo 2011

Anime Expo 2011 opens July 1 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in downtown Los Angeles. The Expo runs from Friday, July 1 through Monday, July 4.

Last year, Anime Expo drew over 45,000 attendees. The show began in 1992 that drew 1,750. Previously, Anime Expo was held at the Long Beach Convention Center and the Anaheim Convention Center.

Anime Expo (AX) showcases the latest anime-related products and representatives of anime production companies and manga publishers will be in attendance.

Danny Choo, television personality, blogger and anime enthusiast, will be special guest at AX. He hosts Culture Japan, a television show that presents Japanese pop culture to the world.

For more information on Anime Expo, go here.