Convention News (151)
Anime Expo 2010 has come and gone, and what an amazing year it was! Not only do we have an EXCLUSIVE interview with Yui Horie and Eri Kitamura, we also have interviews with Black Lagoon creator Rei Hiroe, singer BENI, artist Sou Miyata of Muv-Luv fame, artist Yuki Takano from Circus, Bakemonogatari character designer Akio Watanabe, otaku blogger Danny Choo, and once again, singer May'n! From focus and press panel transcriptions, to video and photos of main events like concerts, we have a lot content coming soon! We also definitely have not forgotten about you, our readers, and we have got some surprise signed giveaways coming soon! Stay tuned! 
For the rest of this week, The-O Network will be providing you live news and report updates from the show floor of one of the largest video game trade shows at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3)! Stay tuned to our twitter feed for the latest updates! With less than a month away, we’re gearing up for the impending interviews that we will be conducting at Anime Expo. The only problem is, there are an overwhelming number of guests! So here’s what we’ll do, let us know who you think we should interview and we will add them as a priority on our list. Also feel free to post any questions you might have for any of the guests and we will do our best to include them in the interview! I have included a list current list of guests as of this post update inside, you can also find the guest list with descriptions on Anime Expo's site here.
What are you waiting for? Add your suggestion and questions in the comments NOW!
Anime Expo announced on Wednesday that Japanese seiyuus, voice actresses, Yui Horie and Eri Kitamura will be joining as Guests of Honor this year to promote the American release of Toradora! Horie has worked on the anime adaptation of Love Hina as Naru Narusegawa, and more recently as Tsubasa Hanekawa from Bakemonogatari. Kitamura has voiced Saya Otonashi from Blood+, Rin Kokonoe from Kodomo no Jikan, and more recently, Yachiyo Todoroki from Working!! We had somewhat hinted both guests' attendance previously. With already an impressive lineup, we can promise you that Anime Expo still has a few surprise guests up their sleeves. Stay tuned... Press release inside.
Despite some of the problems Anime Expo has experienced within the last few years that has put the convention's future into question, they have managed to assemble an impressive guest list this year. What’s even more surprising is that it doesn’t end there.
Rumors and chatter within the industry are running rampant, and we can say with confidence that we expect to see a few more well known voice actors and possibly a couple mangakas apart from Hiroe that may show up at this year’s Anime Expo!
Stay tuned as we’ll keep you posted, and don’t forget that we will also be bringing coverage of this year’s Anime Expo including photos, reports, and interviews!
Merely a couple months earlier, Sakura-Con held the world premiere of the Trigun: Badlands Rumble with Director Satoshi Nishimura and Character Designer Takahiro Yoshimatsu present in Seattle, Washington. Not to be outdone, Anime Expo has announced on Tuesday that they will be premiering the first episode of the next installment of Black Lagoon titled Roberta’s Blood Trail. The series’ original creator Rei Hiroe as well as Mell who sang the opening theme song for the anime adaptation, will also be attending as a Guests of Honor. Press releases inside.
This is turning into quite an impressive guest list AX is having this year despite the mass protests and resignation of various members of the staff earlier this year.
Megumi Nakajima and May'n, who sing the parts for Ranka Lee and Sheryl Nome respectively in Macross Frontier, have just been announced as official guests of honor for Anime Expo 2010. The two will join the festivities in the first weekend of July as they participate in guest panels, autograph signings, and a concert featuring the two of them and a special, unannounced guest. Considering that Macross Frontier has not been licensed yet in North America, is this a hint of what's to come? Full press release follows the jump.
San Jose based anime convention, FanimeCon announced on Friday that Japanese rock band FLOW will be performing at the event. FLOW's music has been used in anime series such as Code Geass, Eureka Seven, Heroman, and Naruto. FLOW has made a previous American appearance at Anime Fest 2009 held in Dallas, Texas.
Reliable sources had told us Anime Expo was negotiating with famed otaku blogger Danny Choo a couple months back. On Thursday, Choo has confirmed on his Facebook page that he will be attending:
"Tonight I'll be sending in my confirmation to attend AX. アメリカの大型アニメイベントANIME EXPOで講演します。"
Choo runs the popular otaku blog site dannychoo.com which started originally as a figure and hobby blog site. Over time, the site's exponential growth lead to worldwide media attention allow Choo to start his own business based on the site, Mirai Inc. Anime Expo is the largest anime convention in the United States roughly bringing in over 40,000 fans worldwide.
Stay tuned as we bring you more news and coverage and we are in the process of interview arrangements!
Tonight I'll be sending in my confirmation to attend AX. アメリカの大型アニメイベントANIME EXPOで講演します。
Gainax studio is no stranger at the San Jose anime convention, FanimeCon. Gainax's Executive Director and Co-Founder, Hiroyuki Yamaga has made almost yearly appearances since the convention began. What's interesting is that for the first time on Fanime's official dealer's list, Gainax is listed as having a booth. Currently it is uncertain as to what they will be using the booth for, though we're hoping it will be used to sell exclusive Gainax merchandise and goods from Japan.Update: FanimeCon has removed Gainax from their dealer's list. A moderator on the official Fanime boards has stated that the company will not be holding a booth. Thanks to jimsha for the information.
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Rumors were floating around online that the World Cosplay Summit (WCS) will be holding a preliminary at this year's FanimeCon in San Jose, California. Staff and organizers have stressed that the competition will be held as a panel independent of any Fanime run events. An official post has been made on Fanime's forum supposedly by one of the event organizers on the topic. Little details are provided, but what we do know that the panel will be held on Sunday May 30, 2010.
Roughly 15 countries compete yearly since 2003 and is sponsored by TV Aichi. Preliminary rounds are held in each respective countries with finals typically taking place in Nagoya, Japan.
FanimeCon announced on Tuesday that artist Mamoru Yokota will be joining the guest list this year. His more prominent roles include working as animation director for the anime adaptation of Death Note, and as a producer for the 2002 anime version of Kanon, and Air the movie. As an artist, he has released various artbooks and has also contributed promotional artwork to popular series including Code Geass, and Macross Frontier. Interestingly, Anime News Network has noted that he will be appearing at a 18+ only panel. Yokota is also the character designer for several adult themed hentai such as Magical Kanan, and Angelium.
Anime Expo has just announced Yuu Asakawa as their next guest of honor at Anime Expo 2010. Asakawa has starred in many prolific anime such as Love Hina, Azumanga Daioh, and School Rumble. With an extensive resume, it looks like Asakawa will have no problem drawing in fans for her autograph sessions and panels that will take place at Anime Expo 2010 in the Los Angeles Convention Center from July 1 - 4.
Full press release after the jump
Seattle based anime convention, Sakura-Con has announced famed character designer Noizi Ito as a guest. Noizi is best known for her work as the original character designer for The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Shakugan no Shana, and various adult PC visual novel games. Sakura-Con 2010 will be held from April 2-4 at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. Should be interesting to see the fan reactions. Press release inside.