Anime Expo 2012 Welcomes Voice Actress Monica Rial As An Official Guest Of Honor

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.

 

Sentai Filmworks Licenses Intrigue in the Bakumatsu ~ Irohanihoheto

HOUSTON, May 21, 2012 — Sentai Filmworks is pleased to announce their acquisition of Intrigue in the Bakumatsu ~ Irohanihoheto.  This 26 episode thriller soaked in blood is created and directed by Ryosuke Takahashi (Gasaraki, The Cockpit, Armored Trooper VOTOMS) and features character designs by Yusuke Kozaki and music by Hideyuki Fukasawa (Nanaka 6/17, You’re Under Arrest: Full Throttle).  Animation is produced by SUNRISE.

In the final years of the Bakumatsu, wandering mercenary Yojiro Akizuki travels the length and breadth of Japan.  And while he employs his sword in the usual fashion, he also uses it to help him locate supernatural items which he pursues with single-minded determination, often with bloody results.  In the course of his quest, he crosses paths with a traveling theater group whose members have their own dark agenda.  Is it a chance meeting or the result of some, as yet, undiscovered conspiracy?  Swords will swing and sorcery make itself felt in Intrigue in the Bakumatsu ~ Irohanihoheto Collection 1!

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu ~ Irohanihoheto will begin release through select digital outlets soon with a home video release to follow.

About Sentai Filmworks:
Sentai Filmworks is one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like High School of the Dead, Towanoquon, Samurai Girls, Guin Saga, Needless and Angel Beats as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs can be found on home video distributed by Ingram Entertainment, Baker & Taylor, Section23Films, The Right Stuf and other good and fine distributors.  Digital product offerings may be found at iTunes, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, Zune Marketplace, Anime Network, Playstation Network, Android Market and YouTube.
www.sentai-filmworks.com
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SENTAI FILMWORKS LICENSES “INTRIGUE IN THE BAKUMATSU ~ IROHANIHOHETO”

HOUSTON, May 21, 2012 — Sentai Filmworks is pleased to announce their acquisition of Intrigue in the Bakumatsu ~ Irohanihoheto.  This 26 episode thriller soaked in blood is created and directed by Ryosuke Takahashi (Gasaraki, The Cockpit, Armored Trooper VOTOMS) and features character designs by Yusuke Kozaki and music by Hideyuki Fukasawa (Nanaka 6/17, You’re Under Arrest: Full Throttle).  Animation is produced by SUNRISE.

In the final years of the Bakumatsu, wandering mercenary Yojiro Akizuki travels the length and breadth of Japan.  And while he employs his sword in the usual fashion, he also uses it to help him locate supernatural items which he pursues with single-minded determination, often with bloody results.  In the course of his quest, he crosses paths with a traveling theater group whose members have their own dark agenda.  Is it a chance meeting or the result of some, as yet, undiscovered conspiracy?  Swords will swing and sorcery make itself felt in Intrigue in the Bakumatsu ~ Irohanihoheto Collection 1!

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu ~ Irohanihoheto will begin release through select digital outlets soon with a home video release to follow.

About Sentai Filmworks:
Sentai Filmworks is one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like High School of the Dead, Towanoquon, Samurai Girls, Guin Saga, Needless and Angel Beats as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs can be found on home video distributed by Ingram Entertainment, Baker & Taylor, Section23Films, The Right Stuf and other good and fine distributors.  Digital product offerings may be found at iTunes, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, Zune Marketplace, Anime Network, Playstation Network, Android Market and YouTube.
www.sentai-filmworks.com

 

ANIME EXPO 2012 PRESENTS THE U.S. CONCERT DEBUT OF ANIMETAL USA

LOS ANGELES (May 11, 2012) – Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture celebration, will present the U.S. concert debut of the anime-inspired heavy metal band, ANIMETAL USA, when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012.  ANIMETAL USA promises to take AX by storm with its furious combination of classic and original anime music, metallic riffs, solos, powerful vocals and futuristic make-up and costumes.  As Official Guests of Honor, the band will also participate in a meet-and-greet, autograph signing and a focus panel.

The phrase “metal super group” was custom-made for ANIMETAL USA whose members include singer Mike Vescera (Obsession/ex-Loudness), bassist Rudy Sarzo (Blue Öyster Cult, ex-Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot, Whitesnake, Dio), guitarist Chris Impellitteri (Impellitteri), and drummer Scott Travis (Judas Priest).  Adding to the group’s stellar rock pedigree, former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman has joined Impellitteri in arranging its tunes.  ANIMETAL USA’s self-titled, October 12, 2011 debut album has been gold-certified in Japan and has hit the #1 spot on Amazon’s Hard Rock Heavy Metal chart and #2 on Amazon’s Anime chart in Japan.  The band’s sophomore album entitled “W,” set to release in the U.S. in June 2012, includes “Give Lee Give Lee Rock Lee,” the opening theme song of the global anime marvel “NARUTO” spin off series, “NARUTO-SD-Rock Lee No Seisyun Full Power Ninden.”  For more info visit http://animetalusa.com.

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

ANIMETAL USA join the previously announced AX 2012 line-up that includes Culture Japan’s Danny Choo, popular voice actors Jamie Marchi and Steve Blum, and Japanese pop star LiSA.

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 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 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.

 

VIZ MEDIA CREATES VIZ LABS TO DRIVE DIGITAL CONTENT INNOVATION

New Division To Be Led By Gagan Singh

San Francisco, CA, April 23, 2012 – VIZ Media, the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga, graphic novels and anime in North America, announced the formation of VIZ Labs, a new division of the company led by Gagan Singh, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. VIZ Labs will focus on innovation in digital content distribution, and will consolidate engineering and digital business efforts across the company into one group. VIZ Media has recently been selectively acquiring engineering talent, and that acquisition strategy will continue under VIZ Labs.

“Innovation in distribution is an integral part of VIZ Media’s future,” said Ken Sasaki, President and CEO of VIZ Media. “As a long-time partner of the company, Gagan helped us shape our digital content strategy, and we’re delighted to have him join our team full time.”

VIZ Labs and Singh are responsible for integrating technology across the entire company, including the digital platforms for VIZ Manga and VIZ Anime. Prior to joining VIZ Media, Singh was the Founder and CEO of West Side Labs, a long time technology partner for VIZ Media.  With advanced degrees from Harvard, MIT and UC Berkeley, Singh joins VIZ Media with a wealth of experience.

“I am honored and excited to join VIZ Media,” said Singh. “With all VIZ Media has already accomplished in building a digital content platform, there is still phenomenal opportunity and growth potential for the company. VIZ Labs will be the tip of the spear to drive the innovation that brings the manga & anime our fans love through their preferred digital platform.”

Over the past 18 months, VIZ Media has transformed the traditional manga and anime business through a variety of strategic partnerships and digital platforms, making manga and anime more accessible than ever before. VIZ Media’s anime titles rank among the most popular streaming entertainment series online, thanks to partnerships with Apple, Hulu and Netflix. The VIZ Manga digital platform was an industry breakthrough, making high-quality, legal translations of the world’s most loved manga available at VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga apps for iPhone®, iPod® touch and iPad®. VIZ Media took things even further when it introduced WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA, a digital manga anthology making the most popular manga series in the world available in the United States within two weeks of their original Japanese release, faster than ever before in the history of the industry. VIZ Labs will announce its first major initiative and VIZ Media’s next digital platform this summer.

For more information, visit www.viz.com.

 

BANDAI ENTERTAINMENT ADDS SWORD OF THE STRANGER AND JIN-ROH TO HULU

April 23, 2012 (Cypress, CA) – Bandai Entertainment announced today the availability of two theatrical films Sword of the Stranger (http://www.hulu.com/sword-of-the-stranger) and Jin-Roh (http://www.hulu.com/jin-roh) on the free, ad-supported Hulu and Hulu Plus subscription service.

 

About Sword of the Stranger

From acclaimed animation studio BONES (Eureka Seven, Cowboy Bebop, Full Metal Alchemist) Sword of the Stranger is the story Kotaro, a young boy hunted by the Mings from China, and his loyal dog Tobimaru. The two meet a nameless samurai who is haunted by his past – a memory so terrible he has vowed to never draw his sword again. Among the Mings is Luo-Lang, a ruthless Western swordsman with the Chinese name who has walked the earth in search of a worthy rival. When both groups clash with a feudal lord and monks torn between faith and survival, the truth behind the Mings’ pursuit of Kotaro tests the bond between the boy and the samurai.

 

About Jin-Roh

Originally released in 1999 and directed by Hiroyuki Okiura and written by Mamoru Oshii (Patlabor, Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence) Jin-Roh is set in an alternate history of Japan. Constable Fuse is part of an elite Special Forces team whose mission is to maintain peace during a time of civil unrest. Entangled within a web of intrigue and politics, his decisions will determine the ultimate fate of the Capital Police and those dearest to him…

 

About Bandai Entertainment

Bandai Entertainment Inc., is a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings (USA) Inc., and is a distributor of Japanese animation on digital platforms, Blu-ray and DVD, and programming for television broadcast in North America. Titles include Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, K-ON!, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Cowboy Bebop, Outlaw Star, The Vision of Escaflowne, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Mobile Suit Gundam, and many more.

 

Next week on ABC’s The Chew (4/23-27, 2012)

ACTRESS AND SINGER OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN, CHEF BOBBY DEEN AND THE RETURN OF “MAMA T,” ON “THE CHEW” THE WEEK OF APRIL 23-27

Hosted by celebrity chefs Mario Batali, Michael Symon and Carla Hall, entertaining & style expert Clinton Kelly and health & wellness enthusiast Daphne Oz, “The Chew” invites viewers into its kitchen weekday afternoons to dish about everything from easy entertaining to making meals on a budget, while celebrating and exploring life through food. Actress and singer Olivia Newton John, Chef Bobby Deen (“Not My Mama’s Meals”) and “Mama T” are featured APRIL 23-27 on “The Chew” (weekdays, 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET; broadcast in stereo)

Guests for the week of April 23 — 27 (subject to change):

MONDAY, APRIL 23 – “PASTA PALOOZA” – Chef Bobby Deen (“Not My Mama’s Meals”); easy and affordable pasta dishes the entire family will enjoy.

TUESDAY, APRIL 24 – “LUNCH BOX” – Recipes to “spice up” lunch; Chef Carla Hall shares her recipe for PB&J cupcakes; correspondent Evette Rios travels to Swenson’s Drive In Restaurant in Akron, Ohio for a firsthand look at this legendary lunchtime establishment.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25 – “SECRET FAMILY RECIPES” – The co-hosts share some of their favorite secret recipe ingredients; “Mama T” returns to cook her secret family recipe for baked ziti with eggplant; the Rubino family from Ralph’s in Philadelphia, PA.

THURSDAY, APRIL 26 – “WORLD’S GREATEST” – “The Chew” celebrates the all-American sandwich with an hour of delicious recipes; correspondent Jason Roberts travels to one of his favorite sandwich shops in Washington, DC.

FRIDAY, APRIL 27 – “HOPELESSLY DEVOTED TO FOOD” – Actress and singer Olivia Newton John; foods that “The Chew” co-hosts can’t live without.

About “The Chew”:
Celebrating and exploring life through food, “The Chew” is an innovative and groundbreaking daytime series co-hosted by a dynamic group of engaging, fun, relatable experts in food, lifestyle, and entertaining. Produced by Gordon Elliott’s Chew Productions for the ABC Television Network, “The Chew” serves up everything food — from cooking and home entertaining to food trends, restaurants, holidays and more — all aimed at making life better, fuller and more fun. Featuring celebrity chefs Mario Batali, Michael Symon, and Carla Hall, entertaining expert Clinton Kelly and health and wellness enthusiast Daphne Oz, “The Chew” is a leap forward into a delicious new kind of lifestyle series.

Follow “The Chew” (@thechew) and hosts Mario Batali (@mariobatali); Michael Symon (@chefsymon); Clinton Kelly (@clinton_kelly); Carla Hall (@carlahall) and Daphne Oz (@DaphneOz) on Twitter ™

 

SENTAI FILMWORKS LICENSES “DUSK MAIDEN OF AMNESIA”

HOUSTON, April 19, 2012— Join Sentai Filmworks for a mystery that must be solved from beyond the grave as they announce the North American licensing of Dusk maiden of Amnesia. Director Shin Oonuma (ef ~ a tale of memories, ef ~ a tale of melodies) and character designer Yukiko Ban (.hack//SIGN) bring original creator Maybe’s tale of death and haunting to life.

60 years ago, a young woman was left to die in the abandoned school building behind the exclusive Seikyou Academy. No one knows why. No one knows how. But the horrifying tale and the legends of the ghostly haunting that followed live on to this day. Perhaps it’s not so surprising then, that among Seikyou’s many school clubs is one for students interested in “paranormal investigations.” What might raise more than a few hairs, however, is that the founder of the club is the ghost herself. Unable to remember how she died and trapped in the grey land between life and death, Yūko latches onto Teiichi Niiya, a freshman who can inexplicably see her, and together they and the other unsuspecting members of the club begin to unravel the many dark mysteries that surround Seikyou. Will unlocking the secret of Yūko’s gruesome death finally free her? Or will her sudden close association with a mortal have even stranger repercussions on both of their existences? In a tomb of silent classrooms, the answers await in Dusk maiden of Amnesia.

Dusk maiden of Amnesia will begin release through select digital outlets soon with a home video release to follow.

About Sentai Filmworks:
Sentai Filmworks is one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like High School of the Dead, Towanoquon, Samurai Girls, Guin Saga, Needless and Angel Beats as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs can be found on home video distributed by Ingram Entertainment, Baker & Taylor, Section23Films, The Right Stuf and other good and fine distributors. Digital product offerings may be found at iTunes, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, Zune Marketplace, Anime Network, Playstation Network, Android Market and YouTube.
www.sentai-filmworks.com

 

SENTAI FILMWORKS LICENSES “TSURITAMA”

HOUSTON, April 18, 2012 — Sentai Filmworks is proud to announce their latest catch: Kenji Nakamura’s (Ayakashi – Samurai Horror Tales) tsuritama.  Originally airing in Fuji Television’s prestigious noitaminA block, tsuritama is sure to be the catch of the day.

You can’t catch fish if you don’t go fishing, and you can’t make friends if you don’t at least try.  Which is how relationship-challenged student Yuki finds himself on a fishing trip to a tiny island with three other boys he barely knows.  Well, two other boys and Haru, who claims that he’s an alien.  Not that constantly stewing Natsuki or mysterious Akira are any more likely as prospects for good companionship.  But there’s something about fishing that makes it unlike any other pastime, and maybe that quiet sense of companionship and hopeful expectation is just what Yuki needs to start charting the unfamiliar waters of personal connections.  Or maybe it will turn out that Haru’s right and they’re going to have to save the entire planet.  There are lots of different kinds of fish stories, from the “ones that got away” to the “best catches ever,” but whichever way the currents of life take them, for four young men, this trip may turn out to be the biggest whopper ever in tsuritama!

tsuritama will begin release through select digital outlets soon with a home video release to follow.

About noitaminA:  With a top rated late-night anime time slot and major advertising sponsorship from Japan’s largest corporations, Fuji Television’s prestigious noitaminA block was designed to drive creativity and innovation in the art of anime. Assembling high profile teams of creators to produce eight new half hour series per annum, from both famous literary works and original concepts, noitaminA has consistently produced unique and innovative programming that pushes the boundaries of animation to its edge and beyond.

About Sentai Filmworks:
Sentai Filmworks is one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like High School of the Dead, Towanoquon, Samurai Girls, Guin Saga, Needless and Angel Beats as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs can be found on home video distributed by Ingram Entertainment, Baker & Taylor, Section23Films, The Right Stuf and other good and fine distributors.  Digital product offerings may be found at iTunes, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, Zune Marketplace, Anime Network, Playstation Network, Android Market and YouTube.
www.sentai-filmworks.com

 

Sentai Filmworks Licenses Queen’s Blade Rebellion

HOUSTON, April 17, 2012— Sentai Filmworks is pleased to announce their acquisition of the season’s hottest swordswomen in Queen’s Blade Rebellion.  With series composition by Hideki Shirane (Dream Eater Merry, Kill Me Baby!) and music by Masaru Yokoyama (Kimikiss: Pure Rouge, Freezing), five out five rebels agree that this series will kick some royal booty!

Power corrupts, and it when it appears that the once noble Queen Claudette’s ways have turned to oppression and heretical persecution, it’s up to a new generation of warriors to step up to the plate armor to bear arms and bare their naked fury in open rebellion!  The odds may seem unfairly stacked in favor of the Amazonian ranks of the queen, doubly supported by her power of writ and assassins.  But the incredible wits and assets of the dazzling array of daring damsels willing to risk their gorgeous skins and put their lithesome bodies on line against her, might just expose a few unexpected weaknesses in the queen’s support!  It’s the wildest fantasy ever as an unprecedented force of fabulous female fighters… from Elven alchemist to half-demon berserker, from undead pirate captain to dragon maid… all come together with the goal of stripping the queen from her throne in QUEEN’S BLADE: REBELLION!

Queen’s Blade Rebellion will begin release through select digital outlets soon with a home video release to follow.

About Sentai Filmworks:
Sentai Filmworks is one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like High School of the Dead, Towanoquon, Samurai Girls, Guin Saga, Needless and Angel Beats as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs can be found on home video distributed by Ingram Entertainment, Baker & Taylor, Section23Films, The Right Stuf and other good and fine distributors.  Digital product offerings may be found at iTunes, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, Zune Marketplace, Anime Network, Playstation Network, Android Market and YouTube.
www.sentai-filmworks.com
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