Anime Expo finalizes its guest list
Anaheim, California (June 14, 2005) -- Anime Expo® 2005 (AX2005), the largest anime convention in the world devoted to Japanese animation and manga (comic books), completes a list of 12 amazing official Guest of Honors with Ugetsu Hakua and Tsuneo Kobayashi. Hosted by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation, AX2005 takes place July 1-4 at the Anaheim Convention Center and is expecting nearly 35,000 fans and anime industry professionals to attend. For more information, visit http://www.anime-expo.org.
Popular illustrator who frequents the independent published circuit, Ugetsu Hakua made his major debut in the anime industry in 2004 through the acclaimed anime Burst Angel. He has recently released an art book, Flamboyant, which includes his illustrations from the Burst Angel as well as a decade of illustrations from the many popular video games and novel illustrations from his illustrious career.
Acclaimed Director Tsuneo Kobayashi, works on a wide variety of projects ranging from historical epics to romantic comedies. He has directed such works as The Twelve Kingdoms, Victorian Romance Emma, Glass no Kamen (OAV). But fans will most likely recognize Tsuneo Kobayashi, as the director of the wildly quirky Midori Days from Studio Pierrot.
Hakua and Kobayashi join Ryo Horikawa, Hiroyuki Kitakubo, Osamu Kobayashi, Tomokazu Seki, Miho Shimogasa, Akihito Yamashita, Kotoko, Maaya Sakamoto, Kazue Yamamoto and Hiroshi Ousaka as the final two of twelve official Guest of Honors.
Greg Ayres joins Anime Expo 2005 as the final special guest. Greg Ayres is best known for his work with ADV and has roots in Anime ever since his days as a "fanboy". Now turned pro, he has voiced popular roles such as Son Goku in Saiyuki, Chrono in Chrono Crusade, Kaworu Nagisa in the Director's Cut of Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Tsuyoshi in Kodocha.
Ayres joins Crispin Freeman and Colleen Clinkenbeard as the final special guest for this year's Anime Expo 2005.
Located in Anaheim, California - Anime Expo®, the world'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 2005 will be held July 1 – 4, 2005 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Sponsors include Viz Media L.L.C., Animerica, ADV Films, Geneon, Tofu Records, Newtype USA and Anime Network. Sponsor hotels include Anaheim Hilton, Anaheim Marriott, or Anaheim Coast Hotels. Parental advisory: Some anime and manga content contains adult themes. More information can be found at its website (www.anime-expo.org).
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®.