The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) opened the polls for industry awards to the public earlier last week. Three finalists were chosen for each category and it is up to the fans to choose who will win the awards. Some notable categories are best Japanese and American actor/actress, and best character design. The voting will be held online only, and the winners will be announced at this year's Anime Expo Industry Reception, held at Los Angeles Convention Center.
We were asked to nominate individuals within the industry, but we missed the deadline. Though if we had made the deadline, I would have nominated Norio Wakamoto for best Japanese actor for his role as Emperor Charles Di Britannia in Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2. "All hail Britannia!"
Click on read more for the full press release. Voting can be done here.
We received an email earlier today that Anime Expo will be bringing famed female group Morning Musume as their first guest of honor. Currently unknown if Anime Expo will have early premium ticket sales, but most likely they will.
I've already had to deal with 2 screaming fanboys this morning when I mentioned it to them. Anyone else excited? Anime Expo will be held from July 2nd to 5th in the Los Angeles Convention Center. Full press release inside.
Read more: (Press) - Morning Musume Coming to Anime Expo 2009
WonderCon, mostly known as a comic book convention held yearly in San Francisco, will have a larger gaming presence this year including panels by Capcom on Resident Evil 5 and Street Fighter 4. Fans will be able to join an impromptu Street Fighter match on stage to win prizes from Capcom. Nintendo will also be on scene to promote the new NDS title Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon. Video game publisher 2K Games, Electronic Arts, Capcom, and surprising G4 TV will all have booths in the Exhibitor's Hall.
Expect our full coverage on the event in the coming weeks! Panel descriptions and links inside.
Previously announced last year that the annual Japantown Anime Faire held in San Francisco would be on indefinite hiatus, the organizers have announced that it's back renamed as the Otaku Amusement Festival.
It will be held this year on Saturday November 14 and Sunday November 15 at the Fort Mason Center.
Click read more for the full press release.
The World Cosplay Summit ended a few days ago in Japan with 13 countries competing.
For those unfamiliar with the event, the World Cosplay Summit began in 2003 as an invitational event to promote the Japanese pop culture internationally.Beginning in 2005, each country holds a preliminary competition to select their representatives to compete in Japan.
Brazil took home first place this year with China as the runner up. Japan's Osaka team had an impressive yaoi skit so fan girls may want to take heed. Korea chose to have 2 male representatives
You can watch the videos and view more pictures at their site here . Bewarned that for some reason they chose not to record the audio for the performances; instead, they added their own track.
We have included some other videos with the original audio inside.
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