LOS ANGELES, CA ­ July 2, 2009 ­ Highly energized and excited anime and manga fans take over the downtown Los Angeles area during the 4th of July weekend for the nation¹s largest anime and manga convention, Anime Expo® 2009, from July 2 ­ July 5, 2009 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. More information can be found at www.anime-expo.org <http://www.anime-expo.org> .

Over 40,000+ unique attendees are expected to attend this year¹s convention and a incredible slate of fourteen (14) power-house Guests of Honors, 50+ Industry Guests, a full exhibit hall and 24 hours of pure anime fun!

Attendees will have the time of their lives at this year¹s highly anticipated event.

Tickets are still available for at-door pricing!

Anime Expo® 2009 Official Guests of Honor include Yun Kouga, Hiroyuki Imaishi, Daisuke Ishiwatari, Yosuke Kuroda, Toshimichi Mori,  Toshiyuki Morikawa, Morning Musume, Yasuhiro Nightow, Atsushi Nishigori, Satoshi Nishimura and Kari Wahlgren.
 
Attendees, Press and Industry Members are also encouraged to view the video coverage site of the 2008 convention at www.AXBackstage.org.
 
Red & Black Sponsors include: FUNimation, Silver Sponsors include: Anime News Network and Digital Manga Press, Patron Sponsors include: COPIC, Central Park Media and The Right Stuf, Media Sponsors include: ImaginAsian TV, Animation Magazine, Anime Insider Magazine, Anime News Network and UTB Hollywood.

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 2009 will be held July 2 ­ July 5, 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).