FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ANIME EXPO® 2007 ANNOUNCES SECOND U.S. GUEST OF HONOR
Nation¹s Largest Convention Teams Up with Sony Pictures Entertainment
Anaheim, California (May 29, 2007) ‹ TEKKONKINKREET director Michael Arias is the latest addition to the hottest line up of Anime Expo® 2007 Guests of Honors for the highly anticipated 2007 convention June 29-July 2 at the Long Beach Convention Center. More information can be found on the website <http://www.anime-expo.org> . TEKKONKINKREET is Arias¹ feature film directing debut and will be screened at Anime Expo® 2007 in 35 mm format on [date/time]. TEKKONKINKREET, the first feature-length anime film written and directed by American filmmakers, will release in limited theatres on July 13. In TEKKONKINKREET, Michael Arias smoothly translates the unconventional work of popular “underground” manga artist Taiyo Matsumoto into a dynamic feature-length animated film. In the opening scene, a raven ominously soars across Tokyo’s vast skies before diving down to saunter along the streets of a ramshackle old neighborhood. Good and evil play out mesmerizingly to the tune of progress, in the guise of real estate development. Originally published serially in the manga magazine Weekly Big Comic Spirits in 1993, the story revolves around two uncompromising street urchins‹one of whom possesses magical powers and can be found in startling positions (atop telephone poles, for example, looking for lurking adult oppressors).Michael Arias began his filmmaking career more than 20 years ago at Dream Quest Images, where he worked as a motion-control cameraperson on effects-heavy films such as THE ABYSS and TOTAL RECALL. Arias then worked under director Douglas Trumbull as Ride Programmer for Universal Studios¹ BACK TO THE FUTURE, THE RIDE, which to this day remains the gold standard in immersive entertainment. Mr. Arias then moved to Japan, first to post-production monolith Imagica, and then to game giant Sega, where he co-directed the ridefilm MEGALOPOLICE, exhibited as part of the SIGGRAPH
1993 Electronic Theater. In 1992 Mr. Arias co-founded CG animation boutique Syzygy Digital Cinema, where he created sequences for feature films M.
BUTTERFLY, THE HUDSUCKER PROXY, PRET-A-PORTER, and the Spike Lee films CROOKLYN and CLOCKERS. At 3D-animation software innovator Softimage Co., Mr.
Arias developed and patented the Toon Shaders, software for combining traditional animation and computer graphics. Mr. Arias has worked closely with the animation staff of Dreamworks and Studio Ghibli to add a distinct visual flavor to the films PRINCE OF EGYPT, THE ROAD TO EL DORADO, and Miyazaki¹s masterpieces THE PRINCESS MONONOKE, and SPIRITED AWAY. Most recently, Mr. Arias produced Warner Bros¹ Matrix-inspired animation anthology ANIMATRIX.
Michael Arias joins Tetsuro Araki, Minori Chihara, Yuko Goto, Aya Hirano, Eisaku Inoue, Masaru Kitao, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn and ORESKABAND as Anime Expo® 2007 Official Guests of Honor.
All registrants who register before the end of March are automatically placed into the drawing. Those who have already pre-registered are also automatically entered into this drawing. Secure pre-registration can be done via online at https://secure.rhq.com/anime/anime2007/attreg/index.cgi Attendees interested in booking flights, car rentals and/or other hotels for Anime Expo® 2007 can do so via the AX Travel Store located at <http://www.AXTravelStore.com> .About Anime Expo®
Located in Long Beach, 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 2007 will be held June 29 July 2, 2007 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Southern California. SPONSORS: ADV Films, Bandai Entertainment, Copic Markers, Digital Manga, Gaia Online, Go!
Media, Infinity Studios, Informasian TV (IaTV) and the Los Angeles Times.
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).The statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. The Company cautions readers of this press release that a number of important factors could cause Anime Expo®/SPJA¹s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation, product delays, industry competition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, vendors and third-party developers, international economic and political conditions. The Company may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in the Company’s assumptions or otherwise. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ANIME EXPO® 2007 ANNOUNCES J-ROCK CONCERT OF THE CENTURY
J-Rock Gods Join Forces and Debut at Nation¹s Largest Convention
Anaheim, California (May 25, 2007) ‹As announced on the stage of J-ROCKREVOULTION: SKIN performs June 29th, 2007 at Anime Expo® 2007.
SKIN is Yoshiki, Gackt, Myavi and Sugiza!
Stay tuned for more info …
All registrants who register before the end of May are automatically placed into the drawing. Those who have already pre-registered are also automatically entered into this drawing. Secure pre-registration can be done via online at https://secure.rhq.com/anime/anime2007/attreg/index.cgi Attendees interested in booking flights, car rentals and/or other hotels for Anime Expo® 2007 can do so via the AX Travel Store located at <http://www.AXTravelStore.com> .About Anime Expo®
Located in Long Beach, 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 2007 will be held June 29 July 2, 2007 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Southern California. SPONSORS: ADV Films, Bandai Entertainment, Copic Markers, Digital Manga, Gaia Online, Go!
Media, Infinity Studios, Informasian TV (IaTV) and the Los Angeles Times.
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 (<http://www.spja.org> ).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ANIME EXPO® 2007, BANDAI ENTERTAINMENT INC., AND KADOKAWA PICTURES USA ANNOUNCE ³SOS BRIGADE INVASION TOUR²
May 25, 2007 (Anaheim, CA) Anime Expo® 2007, Bandai Entertainment Inc., and Kadokawa Pictures USA announced today that the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya will be celebrated at this year¹s Anime Expo® convention, held at the Long Beach Convention Center June 29-July 2, 2007, with the ³SOS Brigade Invasion Tour.²
The SOS Brigade is a reference to the school club formed by Haruhi Suzumiya, the eccentric lead character of this series, which has been nothing short of a phenomenon in Japan and is making its North American debut on DVD on May 29th 2007.
Aya Hirano (Haruhi), Yuko Goto (Mikuru), and Minori Chihara (Yuki), renowned worldwide for their performances in both the Haruhi television series and the character soundtracks will be attending as Official Guests of Honor at this year¹s Anime Expo®.
In addition to appearing on panels and having autograph sessions, the three voice leads, will also be performing in a live concert on Saturday June 30th
2007 at 4:30 pm at the Long Beach Arena, next to the convention center.
They will be performing such hit songs as ³Bouken Desho Desho?² and ³Hare Hare Yukai.² Winner of Bandai Entertainment Inc. Haruhi Dance contest will be allowed to come up on stage and perform the infamous dance with the voice actresses, live on stage. The concert will be free for Anime Expo® attendees.
³We are excited to be working with Anime Expo® and Kadokawa Pictures USA to bring the voice talents who have made Haruhi so successful in Japan for their first appearance in North America,² said Ken Iyadomi, President of Bandai Entertainment. ³Please join us as the SOS Brigade Invasion continues.²
Aya Hirano, Yuko Goto and Minori Chihara join Tetsuro Araki, Eisaku Inoue, Masaru Kitao, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn and ORESKABAND as Anime Expo® 2007 Official Guests of Honor.
All registrants who register before the end of May are automatically placed into the drawing. Those who have already pre-registered are also automatically entered into this drawing. Secure pre-registration can be done via online at:
https://secure.rhq.com/anime/anime2007/attreg/index.cgi Attendees interested in booking flights, car rentals and/or other hotels for Anime Expo® 2007 can do so via the AX Travel Store located at <http://www.AXTravelStore.com> .For more information, please visit www.anime-expo.org or www.asosbrigade.com
AYA HIRANO
Born October 8, 1987 in the Aichi Prefecture. Aya Hirano has risen from relative obscurity to become the hottest young voice actress in Japan.
Highly regarded and extremely well known for her role as the title character, Haruhi Suzumiya, in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. Derived from the popular series of light novels, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya has become a cultural phenomenon in Japan.
Aya Hirano¹s career was further cemented with the release of the Bouken Desho Desho CD Single, featuring her vocals which subsequently sold out of Japanese stores upon its first day for release. She has since gone on to win the first annual seiyu awards for ³Best Newcomer² for her role as the character Haruhi Suzumiya.
YUKO GOTO
A seasoned voice actress, Yuko Goto has had roles in several hit anime and game series including the popular Shuffle! As of recent, Yuko Goto has grabbed the attention of the anime community for her performance as the sexy but timid Mikuru Asahina in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. The character has since gone on to consistently fall into the top 50 favorite anime characters (source: Animage), with Yuko¹s Character CD for Mikuru Asahina reaching 14 on the Oricon charts (note: Oricon is the Japanese Equivalent of the American Billboards).
MINORI CHIHARA
Born November 18; Minori Chihara has managed to segue a career as a voice actress with her debuting as Aya Natsume in the series Tenjho Tenge.
However, Minori¹s true claim to fame arrived when she provided her vocal talents to the hit series The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya where she played the quiet and bookish Yuki Nagato. She gained further attention as a voice actress as well as a singer with the release of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Character CD Yuki Nagato which found itself being a massive hit among anime fans, reaching a peak of 13 on the Japanese Oricon Charts.
Continuing her success from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Minori has since lent her voice talents as a lead character in Kyoto Animation¹s new series Lucky Star.
About Bandai Entertainment Inc.
Bandai Entertainment Inc. is a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings (USA) Inc. and the premier distributor of Japanese animation on DVD and programming for television broadcast in North America. Titles include Cowboy Bebop, Escaflowne, Ghost in the Shell, Gundam Seed Destiny, My Hime, and many more. Additional company and product information is available through our website at www.bandai-ent.com.About Kadokawa Pictures USA
Kadokawa Pictures USA (KPUSA) the Los Angeles-based arm of the Japanese Kadokawa Group Holdings, Inc. (KGH, Inc) expands its brand of content in the growing international world of multimedia. KPUSA, remakes films and distributes its film libraries of live-action and anime from over 1700 film titles. KGH, Inc. includes Kadokawa Shoten Publishing, one of the largest publishers in Japan with over 60 year history, Japan’s major production and distribution division, Kadokawa Pictures and a physical film studio, Kadokawa Daiei Film Studio.
About Anime Expo®
Located in Long Beach, 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 2007 will be held June 29 July 2, 2007 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Southern California. SPONSORS: ADV Films, Bandai Entertainment, Copic Markers, Digital Manga, Gaia Online, Go!
Media, Infinity Studios, Imaginasian TV (IaTV) and the Los Angeles Times.
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 (<http://www.spja.org> ).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BANG ZOOM! ENTERTINAMENT ANNOUNCES
ANIME EXPO® 2007 ACTIVITIES
Full Service Audio Post Production Company Partakes in Nation¹s Largest Anime Convention Activities
Burbank, California (May 22, 2007) ‹ Bang Zoom! Entertainment will be partnering with Anime Expo® 2007 once again as co-producers of the highlighted AX Idol event at this year¹s highly anticipated convention. In addition, Bang Zoom! Entertainment will be providing voice acting workshops and an opportunity for fans to meet and watch a live taping of the extremely popular online webcast AnimeTV. More information can be found on the website www.bangzoomentertainment.com.AX Idol 2007 (Main Event-Saturday, June 30th, Time: 8:00 pm in the Main Events Hall)-Hosted by esteemed voice actor Johnny Yong Bosch with auditions occurring Friday, June 29th in Live Programming Room 3 (Singing Auditions begin at 11:00 am and Voice Acting Auditions begin at 2:00 pm).
AnimeTV Live! (Saturday, June 30th, Time: 1:00 pm 2:00 pm at the Comcast/Anime Selects booth in the Exhibit Hall)-Meet the cast of AnimeTV!
You¹ve seen it on the web, now see it LIVE!
Adventures in Voice Acting Workshop (Sunday, July 1, Time: 9:00 am at Live Programming Room 3)-Try your hand at voice acting and learn what it takes to make it in the biz! You might even win a free voice acting class at Bang Zoom Studios! Join us for fun & to possibly win some cool prizes!
Adventures in Voice Acting-Live Taped Workshop (Sunday, July 1, Time: noon at the Comcast/Anime Selects booth in the Exhibit Hall) Try your hand at voice acting to be taped and broadcast on Comcast¹s Anime Selects show!
About Bang Zoom! Entertainment, Inc.
Headquartered in Burbank, California, Bang Zoom! Entertainment, Inc. is a leading and award winning full service audio post production studio working in the fields of feature films, television, electronic entertainment, anime and direct to home entertainment projects. Founded in 1993, Bang Zoom!
Entertainment, Inc. maintains operations in the U.S. with three buildings, six recording/mixing stages and just under 200 staff of actors, writers, directors and technicians. Bang Zoom! Entertainment, Inc. is also committed to carrying out projects that contribute to the promotion of innovative cultural awareness internationally. More information about Bang Zoom!
Entertainment, Inc. and its products can be found on the company¹s World Wide Web site, which is located at <http://www.bangzoomentertainment.com> .The statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. The Company cautions readers of this press release that a number of important factors could cause Bang Zoom! Entertainment, Inc actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation, product delays, retail acceptance of our products, industry competition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, vendors and third-party developers, international economic and political conditions, integration of recently acquired subsidiaries and identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities. The Company may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in the Company’s assumptions or otherwise. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
