Morinaga America to Share New HI-CHEW Flavor at Anime Expo

HI-CHEW King to Greet Visitors with a Taste of Peach in Booth 1129/1131

Los Angeles, California (June 28, 2011) – Morinaga America, Inc. (www.hi-chew.com <http://www.hi-chew.com/> ), marketing and distribution channel for HI-CHEW in the U.S., will entertain Anime Expo 2011 visitors with a taste of its new Peach flavored fruit chews in Booth 1129/1131.  The HI-CHEW King will give away samples of the popular candy and pose with HI-CHEW fans in a photo booth during the Anime Expo being held in Los Angeles on July 1-4.

“Anime Expo is widely attended by supporters and practitioners of anime (film/video animation) and manga (comic books).  The theme of this year’s event -‘Year of the Fan’ – gives Morinaga the perfect opportunity to treat its large and rapidly growing U.S. fan base of HI-CHEW lovers to its new Peach flavor,” said Toshiya Yasuda, President of Morinaga America.  “Morinaga supports the anime and manga artistic movement by featuring the works of these talented artists on company websites and in marketing materials.”

HI-CHEW has been the top selling candy in Japan and the Far East for decades.  The demand for HI-CHEW in North America has experienced exponential growth since its introduction a few short years ago.  HI-CHEW comes in Strawberry, Green Apple, Melon, Mango, Banana and two new fruit-filled flavors — Grape and Peach.

Anime Expo 2011 is being held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on July 1-4, 2011.  The largest anime and manga event in North America, Anime Expo is sponsored by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA).  The mission of the non-profit organization SPJA “is to popularize and educate the American public about anime and manga.”

(Note: Journalists can always request free HI-CHEW via mail.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us and check this Asian favorite yourself.)

Japanese confectionary company Morinaga launched the current version of HI-CHEW in 1975, and it has gained a near-cult following not only in Japan but throughout the Far East.  Distributed in the U.S. by Morinaga America (www.hi-chew.com <http://www.hi-chew.com/> ), the fruit chews are primarily available on the West and East Coasts in 7-Eleven, Costco, am-pm/ARCO and Ralphs, among others.  Los Angeles-based Matrix Consultants is the agency of record supporting Morinaga America in expanding the HI-CHEW Fruit Chew brand across the U.S.

About Morinaga America, Inc.
Morinaga America, Inc., is a subsidiary of Morinaga & Co., Ltd., one of the world’s largest confectionary companies.  It launched in Irvine, California, on August 15, 2008, with the goal of delivering “value and inspiration to American customers through HI-CHEW.”  HI-CHEW is the #1 selling soft candy in Japan.  Morinaga & Co., Ltd., was originally established in 1899 by Taichiro Morinaga, who had a pioneer spirit and the dream of offering nutritious, good-tasting snacks to Japanese children.  It was the first Western-style confectionery manufacturer in Japan.  During the past 110 years, Morinaga has carried out its corporate operations guided by the vision, “We offer Good Health with Delight and Taste. We now aim to extend our vision to people all over the world.”  For more about the company’s product line, go to www.hi-chew.com <http://www.hi-chew.com/> .

MangaGamer Announces First Guests for Anime Expo!

June 17th, 2011 – We at MangaGamer are proud to announce the release our first set of guests!

We at MangaGamer are proud to announce our first set of guests, all great folks who have been joining us at Anime Expo for several years now.

From OVERDRIVE we will be joined by their president, Bamboo, plus main illustrators, Katakura Shinji!

–Takeuchi “bamboo” Hiroshi, is the President of OVERDRIVE, Producer of Edelweiss, Edelweiss Eiden Fantasia, Kira Kira, Kira Kira Curtain Call, and vocalist for the rock band, mliktub, which created the first ending theme for Baka to Test to Shōkanjū .

–Katakura Shinji has been responsible for artwork on Edelweiss, Edelweiss Eiden Fantasia, Kira Kira, and Kira Kira Curtain Call. He was also the character designer for both the anime and manga versions of Melody of Oblivion. This year Mr. Katakura also stepped into the role of Project Manager for the first time, creating and overseeing OVERDRIVE’s latest work, Dengeki Stryker.

From CIRCUS, we will once again be joined by Tororo Dancho, Producer of Da Capo; Sora wo Tobu, Mitsu no Houhou; MaiHime, Unmei no Keitouju, Gift, and true tears!

Further news regarding guests will be announced in the near future.

ABOUT MANGAGAMER.COM 
MangaGamer.com is the world’s first legal download site for English translated Visual Novels. Since its launch in July 2008, it has offered services where fans can download and enjoy popular Visual Novels such as CIRCUS’s Da Capo and OVERDRIVE’s Kira Kira right from their home. Don’t forget to visit us on Facebook and Twitter !

Anime Expo 2011 Announces Voice Actors Toshiyuki Morikawa and Taliesin Jaffe as Guests of Honor

LOS ANGELES (June 9, 2011) — Anime Expo, North America’s largest anime and manga celebration, has announced voice actors Toshiyuki Morikawa and Taliesin Jaffe at its latest Guests of Honor, when it returns to the LA Convention Center from July 1 – 4, 2011.  Fans will have an opportunity to see and hear from both of these prolific artists during a meet-and-greet, autograph signing and focus panel.

In addition, half-time at the Masquerade competition will feature Mr. Morikawa in a live voice-over demonstration. During his career as a voice actor, Toshiyuki Morikawa has lent his talents to a long list of popular anime series and video games.  He has also been the Japanese voice of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars including Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Keanu Reeves and Adam Sandler in feature films and most recently as Will Schuester from the popular TV show “Glee.” Morikawa’s credits include roles in highly recognizable anime series including “After War Gundam X,” “Berserk,” “Black Lagoon,” “Bleach,” “Digimon Adventure 02,” “Last Exile,” “Naruto,” “Pokemon, “Star Wars: Clone Wars,” “ Yu-Gi-Yo!,” “X-MEN,” “One Piece,” “Super Robot Wars” and many, many  more.  He has also been featured in the world of electronic entertainment with roles such as the infamous Sephiroth of the “Final Fantasy”  video game franchise and Heishiro Mitsurugi in the “Soulcalibur” franchise.

In 2011, Mr. Morikawa expanded his involvement in the business founding the voice actor company Axlone. Taliesin Jaffe started his career as a child actor appearing in films such as “Mr. Mom,” “2010” and “Explorers,” and television shows such as “She’s the Sheriff,” “Amazing Stories” and “The Facts of Life.”   After a brief adventure living in Japan, he began working in the world of anime and video games.   As a voice actor, Mr. Jaffe has portrayed characters such as Blanka and Adon (“Street Fighter IV”), Darion Mograine, Admiral Ripsnarl and the Devourer of Souls (“World of Warcraft”), Edge (“Final Fantasy IV”), The Flash (“Mortal Kombat vs. DC”), Takeya (“DearS”), Joe (“Speed Grapher”), Hatomura (“Paranoia Agent”), Hanasho (“Girls Bravo”), Kenkichi (“Kamichu!”), and Rufus (“Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria”) to name a few. He is also known as a director and script adaptor and has been involved with the production of shows such as “Hellsing,” “ROD the TV,” “Hellgirl,” “The End of Evangelion,” and “Monster.” He has directed the English voice over for many games including the “Street Fighter IV” series, “Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes,” and “Marvel vs. Capcom 3.” Taliesin has won numerous awards for his efforts, and is currently working on no less then three secret projects about which he may not utter the slightest word. In addition to these new guests, the roster of Anime Expo 2011 Guests of Honor includes Japanese pop trio Kalafina; singing sensation Maon Kurosaki; Japanese TV Host and blogger Danny Choo; voice actress and singer Miyuki Sawashiro; voice actors Vic Mignogna; electronic dance act Nirgilis; anime director Seiji Mizushima; video game developer Sohei Niikawa; Crypton Future Media CEO Hiroyuki Itoh and Producer Wataru Sasaki; Vocaloid songwriter Onyx Kobayashi and manga artists Izumi Matsumoto and Fred Gallagher.

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 <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=55783857&msgid=454109&act=9LHJ&c=654442&destination=http%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fanimeexpo> , become a fan on Facebook <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=55783857&msgid=454109&act=9LHJ&c=654442&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fanimeexpo> and check us out on YouTube <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=55783857&msgid=454109&act=9LHJ&c=654442&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fspjaanimeexpo> .

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 <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=55783857&msgid=454109&act=9LHJ&c=654442&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anime-expo.org%2F> .

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 <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=55783857&msgid=454109&act=9LHJ&c=654442&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spja.org%2F> .

JAPANESE ELECTRONIC DANCE ACT NIRGILIS PERFORMS LIVE IN CONCERT AT ANIME EXPO 2011

LOS ANGELES (June 9, 2011) — Anime Expo, North America’s largest anime and manga celebration, is pleased to present a live concert featuring electronic dance act, Nirgilis, when it returns to the LA Convention Center from July 1 – 4, 2011.   Famous in the Japanese music scene for their ability to fuse a variety of music styles with melodic songwriting and mash-ups, Nirgilis will perform on July 1 at 7 p.m. in Club Nokia.  As Guests of Honor, the band will also participate in a meet-and-greet, autograph signing and focus panel.

Through four albums on the Toys Factory and DefStar Records labels and four animation tie-in singles, Nirgilis has established its popularity among both fans of rock music and anime.   The band’s biggest hits include the singles “sakura” from the anime series  “Eureka Seven,” “Kiseki” from “Tetsuwan Birdy Decode 02” and “Snow Kiss from “D.Gray-man.”  Their latest single called “Shiny Shiny” is being featured on the anime series “Deadman Wonderland,” now airing on TV in Japan.

Nirgilis’ members are Acchu Iwata (Vocal, Piano, Keyboards, Programming), Minoru Kurihara (Bass, DJ, Programming) and Yuki Inadera (Drums, Programming, Chorus, D＆ A-VJ).

In addition to Nirgilis, the roster of Anime Expo 2011 Guests of Honor includes Japanese pop trio Kalafina; singing sensation Maon Kurosaki; Japanese TV Host and blogger Danny Choo; voice actress and singer Miyuki Sawashiro; voice actors Vic Mignogna; video game developer Sohei Niikawa; Crypton Future Media CEO Hiroyuki Itoh and Producer Wataru Sasaki; Vocaloid songwriter Onyx Kobayashi and manga artists Izumi Matsumoto and Fred Gallagher. Anime Expo has also announced Hatsune Miku as the convention’s 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.

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.

MangaGamer Announces Three Additional Guest Companies for Anime Expo

June 3rd, 2011–We at MangaGamer are proud to announce three more companies who will be joining us this year at Anime Expo!

This time, we’re proud to introduce several major game companies who will joining us from Japan for the first time this year.

AKABEiSOFT

AKABEiSOFT was originally a doujin circle who published their own original and parody works, but in 2005, they became the company known as AKABEiSOFT2 <http://www.akabeesoft2.com/> . Under this brand name, they’ve published many great titles such as Devil on a G-String <http://www.akabeesoft2.com/g_sen/> , Sharin no Kuni Himawari no Shoujo <http://www.akabeesoft2.com/syarin/> , and World Love Organization. They also expanded into several other brands such as Shangri-La <http://www.syangrila.com/> , known for Akatsuki no Goei, Akatasuki Works <http://www.akatsukiworks.com/> , known for Rui ha Tomo wo Yobu <http://www.akatsukiworks.com/product/ruitomo/index.html> , WHEEL <http://www.wheel-soft.com/> , known for ~Pantsu wo Miseru Koto, Sore ga…~ Daiuchuu no Hokori <http://www.wheel-soft.com/dai/index.html> , and even creating a sister brand Effordum, which brought out games like Concerto Note <http://www.applique-soft.com/concerto/index.html> . Although they’ve blocked foreign IPs from viewing their websites, they’ll be coming out to meet fans from the West this year, so be sure to come show them that you’re interested! This may be the first step towards something more……

Debonosu Works <http://www.debonosu.jp/>

Debonosu Productions is an eroge brand founded by Yamamoto Kazue after parting ways Studio e.go together with several other ex-e.go staff in March 2009. As one of those who founded Studio e.go, she’s worked on the artwork for every Studio e.go game from its inception in 1998-99, and the staff who left to join Debonosu with her have worked on nearly all of them as well. Now, as Debonosu, these fine people continue their proud tradition of creating eroge with extensive interactivity.

Clochette <http://clochette-soft.jp/>

Founded in 2008, Clochette is known for making games with great characters, sweet romances, stunning visuals, and highly enjoyable H-scenes. Their latest release, Kamikaze Explorer <http://clochette-soft.jp/kamikaze/index.html> , was just recently released in Japan, and boasts full artwork and animation in 720p HD and character sprites that move more fluidly than in most other games. You can view the HD Opening Movie below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqtpURZ3Ers

We will be announcing the details regarding which representatives and artists will be joining us at a later date.

ABOUT MANGAGAMER.COM <http://mangagamer.com/>
MangaGamer.com is the world’s first legal download site for English translated Visual Novels. Since its launch in July 2008, it has offered services where fans can download and enjoy popular Visual Novels such as CIRCUS’s Da Capo and OVERDRIVE’s Kira Kira right from their home. Don’t forget to visit us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/pages/MangaGamer/115459708507340>  and Twitter <http://twitter.com/#%21/MangaGamer> !

Japan’s Virtual Pop Star Hatsune Miku To Perform Live at Anime Expo 2011

LOS ANGELES (May 13, 2011) — Hatsune Miku, a Japanese virtual pop idol whose computer-generated singing and holographic performances have sparked a new form of musical entertainment, will thrill U.S. audiences for the first time when she performs live in concert at Anime Expo, North America’s largest anime and manga celebration in Los Angeles from July 1 – 4, 2011.  In addition to her live concert, Hatsune Miku will be Anime Expo’s first Virtual Guest of Honor.

A digital diva famous worldwide for her ankle-length aqua-colored pigtails and distinctive voice, Hatsune Miku will light up the stage at Nokia Theatre on July 2nd in her U.S. live concert debut presented by The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation, Crypton Future Media, Inc., SEGA Corporation, Tokyo Kawaii Magazine (ASCII Media Works) and Toyota Motor Sales, USA.

Created by Crypton Future Media, Inc. in 2007, Hatsune Miku’s voice is synthesized using Yamaha’s Vocaloid software application, to produce a fully synthetic voice with unprecedented quality and remarkable realism by typing in lyrics and setting a melody. To date, her voice has been featured in more than 100,000 songs and videos created and shared by fans worldwide. She has been sampled in CDs, DVDs, games, novels, and figures and her sell-out, computer-graphic-driven live performances have become legendary.  Attesting to her unique star power, Toyota selected Hatsune Miku to star in a U.S. ad campaign for the 2011 Corolla – which has been named the Official Car of her July 2 concert at Anime Expo.

“Fans in North America have been clamoring for Miku to perform here and we have listened,” said Marc Perez, Chairman and CEO of the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation, the non-profit that produces Anime Expo.  “We’re extremely excited to be able to present this 21st Century star at Anime Expo in what promises to be an unforgettable experience for all.”

The Anime Expo concert will be based on “39‘s Giving Day,” the first-ever solo concert by Hatsune Miku held in Japan on March 9, 2010, which was heralded by media worldwide.  Visuals for the July 2 concert are created by SEGA with Crypton Future Media supervising overall production.

Hatsune Miku will be Anime Expo’s first Virtual Guest of Honor and will join the line-up of Anime Expo 2011 Guests of Honor that includes the chart-topping Japanese pop trio Kalafina, Japanese TV Host and blogger Danny Choo and voice actor Vic Mignogna. Themed the “Year of the Fan,” Anime Expo 2011 will fully immerse guests into the world of Japanese animation, manga (comic books), music, fashion and games. 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 Crypton Future Media, Inc.
Crypton Future Media, Inc. (HQ: Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido; CEO: Hiroyuki Itoh) has been handling software sound source since 1995, and is a developer of Character Vocal Series 01: Hatsune Miku, which was released in 2007. There are more than tens of thousands songs released, and fan’s support is expanding day by day.

About SEGA Corporation
SEGA Corporation (HQ: Ohta-ku, Tokyo-to, COO: Okitane Usui) has been recognized as one of the leading game software company in the world with its capability to produce high quality contents. New sensational rhythm action game “Hatsune Miku -Project DIVA- 2nd” for PSP has been sold for more than 400,000 copies, and has great support by Miku fans.

About Tokyo Kawaii Magazine
Tokyo Kawaii Magazine, an electronic magazine for iPhone, was first released on March 2010. It releases the latest Japanese pop culture info such as anime, fashion, etc. in English and Spanish, and has been downloaded from all over the world, mainly by young generations. They have featured Haruhi Suzumiya, Evangelion, etc, and the latest issue (Vol.007) featured Miku Hatsune.

About Toyota Motor Sales, USA
Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion.  Established in 1957, TMS markets products and services through a network of nearly 1,500 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers which sold more than 1.76 million vehicles in 2010.  Toyota directly employs nearly 30,000 people in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyota.com, www.lexus.com, www.scion.com or www.toyotanewsroom.com.

About Anime Expo
Held annually in Los Angeles, Anime Expo is North America’s largest anime and manga event. 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.

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.

Chart-Topping trio Kalafina to return to the U.S., performing live in concert at Anime Expo 2011 (Los Angeles, CA)

Anime Expo, North America’s largest anime and manga celebration, had just announced a live concert with the chart-topping, female Japanese pop trio, Kalafina, when it returns to the L.A. Convention Center from July 1 – 4, 2011. Along with the hit-making sound producer Yuki Kajiura, Kalafina has provided memorable songs for popular anime series including “Kara no Kyoukai – the Garden of sinners,” “Kuroshitsuji — Black Butler,” and “PUELLA MAGI MADOKA☆MAGICA.”

Since their debut in 2008, Kalafina has had an impressive string of hits with seven singles reaching the Top 15 on the Japanese Oricon Charts while the group’s two albums have claimed #5 and #8 spots. Since 2009, the group has toured extensively throughout Japan and overseas, building a passionate following that often breaks into a chorus of Kalafina’s lyrics. Tickets for Kalafina’s most recent tour in Japan sold out within one day.

Keiko, Wakana, and Hikaru, the three voices of Kalafina will take the stage of Club Nokia for an exclusive concert on July 2, 2011. Kalafina will also participate in a meet-and-greet, autograph signing and focus panel giving fans multiple opportunities to see and hear from these captivating performers.

Kalafina official website: www.kalafina.jp

Kalafina joins the line-up of Anime Expo 2011 Guests of Honor that includes Japanese pop culture sensation Danny Choo and voice actor Vic Mignogna. 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.

About Anime Expo:

Held annually in Los Angeles, Anime Expo is North America’s largest anime and manga event. 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

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 Announces Over $25,000 in Masquerade Cash & Prizes!

ANIME EXPO 2011, HOST OF ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST MASQUERADE EVENTS, OFFERS $25,000 IN CASH AND PRIZES TO ITS CREATIVELY COSTUMED FANS

LOS ANGELES (February 3, 2011) — Anime Expo, North America’s largest anime and manga event which attracts tens of thousands of elaborately costumed fans for one of the world’s largest masquerade events, will reward its most creative “cosplayers” with $25,000 in cash and prizes in 2011.  Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Anime Expo returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center and L.A. Live from July 1 – 4, 2011 with the biggest exhibition and program in its history.  A non-stop marathon of Japanese pop culture that’s been likened to Halloween in July, Anime Expo (AX) fully immerses guests into the world of Japanese animation, manga (comic books), music and fashion.

Anime Expo 2011, themed “The Year of the Fan,” will award a spectacular $10,000 cash prize to the “Best of Show” winner in the wildly popular Masquerade competition, in which fans transform themselves into their favorite anime and manga characters through creative costuming, accessories and make-up and put on their own show before an audience of thousands in the stunning Nokia Theater. The $10,000 award will make it the richest anime costume competition in North America.  Masquerade second and third place winners will receive $2,500 and $1,000 respectively, while winners of the Midnight Tea, Pop Shock Masquerade and other Anime Expo cosplay competitions will split close to $12,000 in cash and prizes.
“The fans who work so hard on their costumes and performances all year long and who make Anime Expo so exciting will be well rewarded in 2011,” said Marc Perez, Chairman and CEO of the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation, the non-profit that produces the event.  “In addition to the large awards in the formal Anime Expo competitions, we’ll have a roving team of judges giving on-the-spot prizes like tickets to exclusive events and valuable collectibles to outstanding cosplayers they see anywhere throughout the Convention Center.”
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 Masquerade. Returning this year, Anime Expo will incorporate an authentic Japanese Street Fair that will take over the LA Convention Center and LA Live area with music, martial arts demonstrations, games, food and much more.
Tickets
Ticket prices range from $45 for a one-day adult pass to $75 for a four-day adult pass.  A one day for children ages 5 – 12 is $25.  Children 1 – 4 are free.
Hours:  Los Angeles Convention Center & L.A. Live
Friday, July 1    9 a.m. – 4 a.m.
Saturday, July 2 & Sunday, July 3   9 a.m. – 4 a.m.
Monday, July 4   9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
*After hours dancing at Club Nokia till 2 a.m.
Address
Los Angeles Convention Center
1201 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015
For more information, visit www.anime-expo.org or call 805-654-0171

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.

MangaGamer is pleased to announce another guest company joining us at our booth for Anime Expo!

This year, we’re proud to have Frontwing as one of our guests! They’re most well known for the series Makai Tenshi Jibril, Hoshi Uta, Boy Meets Girl, and Tea Society of a Witch (previously released in English by Hirameki). They’ll also be bringing three special guests along with them!

* Fumio：An artist for Frontwing, he’s worked on Hoshi Uta, Pia Carrot he Yokouso, and Tomoyo After ~It’s a Wonderful Life~. He also does illustrations for light novels such as Canvas 2 and Hourglass of Summer.
* Kuuchuu Yousai: Another artist who’s worked on Frontwing’s Makai Tenshi Jibril series and Nugachu. In addition to his illustrations for Frontwing, he also does many illustrations for magazine covers, and is none other than the creator of Queen’s Blade’s Nanael!
* Watanabe Akio：For Frontwing, he’s done the opening movie animation for Makai Tenshi Jibril, but he’s also done the opening animation for To Heart 2. As an illustrator, he’s done character designs for Starship girl Yamamoto Yohko, Queen’s Blade: Spiral of Chaos, The Soul Taker, Popotan, Nurse Witch Komugi-chan, and the upcoming anime adaptation of The World God Only Knows. As an animator, he’s animated portions of Kiki’s Delivery Service, the opening animation for Sailor Moon SuperS Movie: Black Dream Hole, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, and Fight Ippatsu! Juuden-chan . As an animation director, he’s worked on Saber Marionette J, Hoshizora Kiseki, and Bakemonogatari.

More announcements will be made as the convention grows closer, so please visit our Staff Blog for up-to-date information, or to view samples of the merchandise that will be available.

AnimeExpo 2010
July 1-4, 2010
Los Angeles Convention Center

http://www.anime-expo.org

Booth # 811/813/815/910-915/1010/1012/1014

ABOUT MANGAGAMER.COM
MangaGamer.com is the world’s first legal download site for English translated bishojo games. Since its launch in July 2008, it has offered services where fans can download and enjoy popular bishojo games such as CIRCUS’s Da Capo and OVERDRIVE’s Kira Kira right from their home.

MangaGamer Announces Takano Yuki for Anime Expo

June 21, 2010 – MangaGamer is pleased to announce another artist joining our booth for Anime Expo!

Joining us for the first time this year, is Takano Yuki, an artist who works with CIRCUS . Her works include the various Da Capo II games, the Princess Party series, CIRCUS’s latest game, RPG Academy, as well as la’cryma ‘s Sora wo Tobu, Nanatsu-me no Mahou , and their upcoming fortissimo .

More announcements will be made as the convention grows closer, so please visit our Staff Blog for up-to-date information, or to view samples of the merchandise that will be available.

AnimeExpo 2010
July 1-4, 2010
Los Angeles Convention Center
http://www.anime-expo.org
Booth # 811/813/815/910-915/1010/1012/1014

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