Anaheim, California (May 19, 2008) ‹Anime Expo® 2008 will be accepting online applications for one of the most highlighted and enduring traditions
of the nation's largest anime and manga convention-the Masquerade held at this year's Anime Expo® 2008 held from July 3-6, 2008 at the Los Angeles
Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. More information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org.
 
Amateur costumers hailing from around the world have graced our stage with their wonderful costumes and performances. Interested parties will be able
to register, as a contestant, online on May 19, 2008 after 6:00 pm PST at www.anime-expo.org.
 
Masquerade contestants come for the fame, the glory and that huge trophy, "Best of Show".  Some of the other coveted Masquerade awards are:
 
* Top 4 Awards: These category of awards are presented to the entries that have shown the best combination of both Presentation and Costume
Craftsmanship. To be eligible for these awards, all costumes of an entry must be presented at the Preliminary Costume Judging. Any entry that fails
this requirement will not be eligible for any Top 4 Awards.
 
* Craftsmanship Awards: These category of awards are presented to the entries that have shown excellent costume craftsmanship and construction.
The awards are separated by Group and Individual achievement. Individual entries are further separated into the four skill levels as previously
defined. There are two awards per skill level. To be eligible for these awards, all costumes of an entry must be presented at the Preliminary
Costume Judging. Any entry that fails this requirement will not be considered for the Craftsmanship Awards.
 
* Presentation Awards: These category of awards are presented to the entries that have shown excellent stage presentation. This can be either by a
performance or a simple exhibition of a costume. The awards are separated by Group and Individual achievement. Skill levels are not factored into these
awards.
 
* Judges Awards: These category of awards are selected by the Judges for entries they deem worthy of award but did not fit any of the previous
categories. Each Judge may present one award based on their personal selection.
 
Additional award categories and information can be found at www.anime-expo.org.
 
Current list of official Guests of Honor include up and coming director Masahiro Ando, legendary American voice actor David Hayter, famed POKEMON
director Masamitsu Hidaka, the dynamic duo known as Jyukai and the new Japanese "It-Girl" Shokotan in Anime Expo® 2008¹s amazing line up of Guests
of Honor.
 
Attendees that have pre-registered can also update their information and add on orders for main event tickets via the Anime Expo® 2008 Online
Registration Area at www.anime-expo.org.
 
Free shuttle services for all hotel attendees will be provided. Regular non-hotel attendees will have access to utilize the free shuttle services
during designated hours as well. All schedules and routes will be posted in the lobby of each shuttle hotel. Frequency of service is pending local
traffic, road conditions and can change without notice.  Also, no shuttle service provided to the Holiday Inn City Center and the Figueroa Hotel (both
are within walking distance of the Los Angeles Convention Center).
 
Attendees, Press and Industry Members are also encouraged to view the video coverage site of the 2007 convention at www.AXBackstage.org.
 
This year¹s Red & Black Sponsors are FUNimation and ImaginAsian Television. Platinum Sponsor is Imagi Studios.  Gold Sponsor is Digital Manga
Publishing.  Silver Sponsor is Gaia Online.  Patron Sponsors are Central Park Media and COPIC Markers.
 
About Anime Expo®
Located in Los Angeles, California - Anime Expo®, the nation's largest anime/manga convention, serves to foster trade, commerce and the interests
of the general public and animation/ comics industry.  This event serves as a key meeting place for the general public to express their interest and
explore various aspects of anime/manga, as well as for members of the industry to conduct business. AX 2008 will be held July 3 ­ July 6, 2008 at
the Los Angeles Convention Center in Southern California. More information can be found at its website (www.anime-expo.org).
 
About Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation
The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization with a mission 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®.  More information can be found at its website (www.spja.org).