LOS ANGELES, CA ­ July 5, 2009 ­ Once again, Anime Expo® dominates all other anime and manga conventions and holds the title of nation¹s largest anime and manga event with over 44,000 unique attendees flowing into the halls of the Los Angeles Convention Center to attend 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.

The SPJA Charity Auction has also generated just under $30,000.00 (U.S.) in proceeds to be donated to benefit the adolescent patients of Children¹s Hospital Orange County (CHOC).

Mark your calendars!  Anime Expo® will return next year to the Los Angeles Convention Center and be held on July 1 through July 4, 2010.

Anime Expo® 2009 Official Guests of Honor include Yun Kouga, Hiroyuki Imaishi, Daisuke Ishiwatari, Yosuke Kuroda, Moi dix Mois, Toshimichi Mori, Toshiyuki Morikawa, Morning Musume, Yasuhiro Nightow, Atsushi Nishigori, Satoshi Nishimura, Takashi Okazaki 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 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 2009 will be held July 2 ­ July 5, 2009 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.