June 17, 2005

AX announces screening schedule and themed nights

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Anaheim, California (June 17, 2005) -- Anime Expo® 2005 (AX2005), brings a screening schedule that will surely satiate any die-hard Anime fan at this year's convention. 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.

In honor of Hayao Miyazaki's U.S. return with Howl's Moving Castle, Anime Expo 2005 brings such classics as Miyazaki's Oscar winning Animated Feature Spirited Away to the AX2005 screens at the Anaheim Convention Center. In addition, other classics such as Princess Mononoke, Ultraman The Next, Place Promised, Tree of Palme, My Beautiful Girl Mari, and recent hits such as Appleseed, Steamboy and last year's most anticipated DreamWorks, LLC title: Ghost in the Shell II: Innocence will return to the silver screen at AX2005. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience any of these titles in full force and effect, as screenings will be shown via projection on 35 mm print on a screen larger than many theatres with a sound system that will rock the Anaheim Convention Center.

AX2005 kicks off each evening with a themed screening event. Sponsored by Urban Vision, Firday Fright Night begins July 1, 2005 at 9:00 pm in Video Room 1. Courtesy of Urban Vision Entertainment, the evening will consist of screenings of Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust and Vampire Hunter D. Robyn Mukai of Urban Vision states, "anime in the U.S. has become so diverse in theme that it makes sense to target popular genres like horror-themed anime. Urban Vision titles really play up to this particular audience, and so we love the idea of screening at Friday Night Fright." Attendees get ready to have an evening of horror that will make The Blair Witch Project appear to be an episode of The Smurfs!

By popular demand, Saturday evening at 8:00 pm attendees can blast into Gundam Saturday in Video Room 2 for everything Gundam. From Gundam Seed to the Gundam films, attendees will have their evening filled with visions and sounds of mech warriors in battle.

In addition, fans will be in complete control of programming as Midnight Madness returns at 1:30 am on July 4, 2005 in Video Room 1. For one night only, attendees will dictate which shows will be shown on the silver screen.

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. 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®.