The eighth annual Pacific Media Expo Asian pop culture convention is currently underway at the LAX Hilton. This convention is known for its wide range of guests and programming spanning many aspects of Asian pop culture.  Not only are there events related to Japanese anime and manga, there are also guests and events related to fashion, martial arts, music, Korean drama, and Asian-American entertainment. The convention returned to its former venue after being at the Pasadena Hilton last year. Fans were given the opportunity to vote for this year’s location and so it was decided that the convention return to the LAX Hilton.
The convention’s first big event was opening ceremonies. Most of the guests of honor were present including anime director Yasuhiro Imagawa, who is known for directing Giant Robo and Tetsujin 28.  Suzumi Atsushi, is this year’s manga guest of honor. Her works include Venus Versus Virus and Haridama Magic Cram School and Amefurashi: The Rain Goddess. Also in attendance was mecha designer Tsuyoshi Nonaka, who has worked on mecha designs for Mazinkaiser SKL, Shin Mazinger ShÅgeki! Z-Hen and DICE. Finally, this year’s fashion guest of honor is Yuko Ashizawa of ATELIER-PIERROT. Opening ceremonies concluded with Ashizawa filling in the first eye of the ceremonial daruma.
Live programming continued into the afternoon and evening, including a panel featuring guests of honor Imagawa and Nonaka, who delighted mecha fans with a joint panel. Another panel was devoted to Allegiance, a musical production about the World War II Japanese internment. Producers Lorenzo Thione and Jay Kuo were there to discuss this unique musical as well as cast members Paul Nakauchi and George Takei. Later in the afternoon, guest of honor Ashizawa held her EGL fashion related panel. This was the first appearance for ATELIER-PIERROT in Southern California.
Music and live concerts have always been a big component of Pacific Media Expo. Friday night’s concert was opened by local band, Dig Jelly, who were making their fourth appearance at Pacigic Media Expo.
Headlining this year’s music program are music guests of honor, the visual kei band D. Fans of D lined up hours early to get the best spots to view Friday night’s concert. D will also headline Saturday night’s concert, featuring a different set of songs. Pacific Media Expo continues at the LAX Hilton through Sunday. Saturday’s events will include panels by guests of honor Suzumi Atsushi and D as well as the conventions CosFest cosplay contest, where cash awards will be given to the the show’s best performers and costumes. D will perform is second concert, which will be opened by local band, Lemon Drop Kick.