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ANIME EXPO® 2008 STORMS INTO THE LOS ANGELES CONVENTION CENTER |
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News
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Friday, 04 July 2008 |
Opening Ceremonies, Industry Conference Panels, AMV, Battle of the Bands and More
Los Angeles, California (July 4, 2008) ‹ Over 18,000+ extremely ecstatic pre-registered attendees took over the Los Angeles Convention Center for the first full day of fun at the nation¹s largest anime and manga convention. Anime Expo® 2008 will be 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 <http://www.anime-expo.org> .
With the exhibit hall, film room, video rooms, live programming rooms, console game room, table top game room, dance hall and arcade in full swing, attendees were also able to enjoy opening ceremonies with the attendance of all the Guests of Honor for 2008 and the initial showing and voting of the Anime Music Video (AMV) contest. Thousands of happy and excited attendees entered the halls of the Los Angeles Convention Center and were even more ecstatic to find the short wait in the registration hall with the new full service registration system.
Industry and press members heard the keynote speeches from Ms. Trulee Karahashi (CEO for the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation) and Mr. Shigeru Kimura (CEO for the Japan External Trade Organization) in which key topics affecting the anime and manga industries in the U.S. and Japan were explored. Industry Conference Panels covering the topics of Anime in the U.S. and Manga in the U.S. involved key executives from representing companies and explored hot issues such as piracy and new media options.
For the 2nd day of events (July 4, 2008), Industry and Press individuals can expect a key note speech from Gen Fukunaga, CEO of FUNimation and the Industry Conference Panel entitled ³Technology, Entertainment and Licensing².
Attendees can also expect another fun filled day of the Jyukai concert featuring Yoko Ishida, AX Idol, exhibit hall, all the interactive game rooms, dance hall, arcade, 35 mm print films (Such as EVANGELION 1.0: YOU ARE NOT ALONE, PAPRIKA, SWORD OF THE STRANGER and many others).
AXBackstage offers visitors an insider¹s look at the hottest anime/manga titles, exclusive interviews with Guests attending this year¹s hottest convention, video coverage of convention activities, attendee and convention photos/images, news and related peripherals. In addition, visitors can download up to date information and change/corrections in scheduled events, activities and much more. AXBackstage has launched on the world wide web at www.axbackstage.org.
The full list of official Anime Expo® 2008 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, renowned animator Hiromi Kato, celebrated veteran voice actor Toshihiko Seki, the new Japanese ³It-Girl² Shokotan and the legendary character designer Takada Akemi.
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 <http://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 <http://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 nation¹s 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 <http://www.spja.org> ). |
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