January 12, 2007

New York Comic Con anime guests and programming highlights revealed

Convention welcomes over 30 anime authors, artists, and actors

Norwalk, CT, January 12: New York Comic Con (NYCC) 2007, taking place in Manhattan's Jacob K. Javits Center on February 23-25, is pleased to reveal the highlights of its anime program. Anime, manga, manhwa -- and the lifestyle associated with all three -- have become a driving force in American popular culture, and NYCC is very happy to have a wide and deep selection of anime, manga, and manhwa companies and creators present at its 2007 event.

Representatives from ADV, Anime Network, Anime News Network, Bandai Entertainment, Be Beautiful Manga, Central Park Media, Del Rey, FUNimation, Go! Comi, Harmony Gold, Manga Video, Media Blasters, NETCOMICS, Newtype USA, THINK, TOKYOPOP, Vertical Inc, and VIZ Media will all be on hand at NYCC hosting panels, answering questions, and presenting their visions for where anime culture will lead in 2007.

In addition to panels and presentations from the above industry leaders, NYCC will play host to a vast collection of anime guests including voice actors Alice Fulks, Christine Auten, Christopher Sabat, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Dan Woren, Hilary Haag, Jason Liebrecht, Jessica Boone, Laura Bailey, Luci Christian, Monica Rial, Richard Epcar, Sean Schemmel, Serena Varghese, Shelley Calene-Black, Taylor Hannah, and Vic Mignogna and manga and manhwa creators Dan Hipp, Doha, Eric Wight, June Kim, Marley, Pop Mahn, Shannon Denton, and Stuart Moore.

The full list of NYCC 2007's anime guests, panels, and screenings will be revealed soon at www.nycomiccon.com, but until then, a selection of highlights are outlined below:

Panel Highlights

American Anime Awards Pre-Game Show
New York Comic Con is the proud host of the first-ever American Anime Awards. Before the awards, come to the Pre-Game Show to meet the presenters and have a chance to win VIP tickets. Voice actresses including Christine Auten, Jessica Boone, Shelley Calene-Black, and Hilary Haag will be giving their picks for who they think will be the American Anime Awards' big winners.

The Creepy, Spooky World of Japanese Horror
You've seen "The Grudge." You've seen "The Ring." Where do you go from here? David Kalat, film commentator and author of "J-Horror: The Definitive Guide to The Ring, The Grudge, and Beyond," will steer you in the right direction in an exploration of why Japanese horror is terrifying the world.

How to Make a Manga
How does a manga make its way to the USA? If you'd like to know, Del Rey will be discussing the making of a manga from acquisition, to translation, to production, to marketing. Del Rey staff from every aspect of making a manga -- Associate Publisher Dallas Middaugh, Director of Licensing and Acquisitions Mutsumi Miyazaki, Production Manager Erich Schoeneweiss, Manga Marketing Manager Ali T. Kokmen, Editor Tricia Narwani, and Translator Elina Ishikawa -- will all speak about what they know best.

Laptop Anime: The Digital Animation Revolution
Ever wanted to make an animation? With the power available in computers today, you may have everything you need right on your personal computer. Artists in Japan single-handedly created "Voices of a Distant Star" and "Negadon: The Monster From Mars" on their PCs, and with the right tools, you can, too. Keisuke Inoue from THINK, a Japanese company involved with the releases of "Voices of a Distant Star" and "Negadon," and Ken Duer, Producer of "The Animatrix," talk about the future of anime and your role in it.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya: The First Look
"The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" may be the most-hyped anime of 2007, and Bandai Entertainment talks about the show for the first time at New York Comic Con. Have questions about how the SOS Brigade will make it across the Pacific? Bandai has the answers.

Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles Cast and Crew Q&A
"Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles" is the first new "Robotech" animation in a generation. To say it's anticipated would be an understatement. Learn from the artists at the center of the production -- Dan Woren, voice of General Reinhard, Richard Epcar, voice of Vince Grant, Director Tommy Yune, Producer Kevin McKeever, and Composer Scott Glasgow -- what it's like to be a part of a new chapter of one of anime's most beloved legends.

TOKYOPOP Authors and Artists Roundtable
TOKYOPOP is proud to present the creators of "My Dead Girlfriend," "Earthlight," "Zapt!," "Gyakushu!," "12 Days," and "Blank." Meet this group of creators leading the manga revolution, and find out what it takes to join the charge.

Screening Highlights

Afro Samurai: Director's Cut (Preview)
In a futuristic, feudal Japan, the swordsman Afro searches for the truth behind his father's murder, and he'll stop at nothing -- even challenging the strongest samurai in the world -- to find the killer. Featuring the voices of Samuel L. Jackson, Ron Perlman, and Kelly Hu and music from RZA. This special "Director's Cut" preview includes scenes not shown on TV.

Ghost in the Shell: Solid State Society (Premiere)
Elite intelligence agency Section 9 is baffled by the mass kidnapping of over 20,000 children and a series of high-ranking suicides. As its agents try to solve both these cases, they come to realize they are closely and dangerously related. Worse, their search brings them face-to-face with a former comrade -- cyborg detective Motoko Kusanagi.

Shinobi (35mm)
In the middle of Japan's feudal age, two ninjas fall in love. For their love to last, though, they'll have to defeat their dueling clans, their shogun, and their destiny. Be one of the first 50 in line for "Shinobi" to receive a copy of the classic Japanese novel "The Kouja Ninja Scrolls," the basis for the film, from Del Rey. Shown in 35mm.

Tsubasa (Premiere)
From the renowned manga studio CLAMP, when Princess Sakura loses her memories, the Clow Kingdom's greatest warriors and witches gather together and cross dimensions to restore their Princess's past and save the Clow Kingdom's future. This special two-hour premiere features a collection of the American "Tsubasa" cast -- revealed for the first time at the screening. Further, the first 50 in line will receive Del Rey's "Tsubasa Character Guide."

ABOUT REED EXHIBITIONS: New York Comic Con is operated by Reed Exhibitions which is the world's leading events organizer. In 2006 Reed brought together over six million industry professions from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held in 34 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and organized by 37 fully staffed offices.

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