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Idol Singer Shoko Nakagawa to Perform at Anime Expo
posted on by Egan Loo
Anime Expo has announced that otaku personality/singer/actress Shoko "Shokotan" Nakagawa will perform at the July 3-6 convention at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Nakagawa debuted as the grand prize winner of the Popolo Girl Audition in 2001, but her popularity among otaku took off when she launched her blog in 2004. Nakagawa is known for updating the blog as many as 15 times a day with her observations on life and her expert knowledge on anime and manga. Sony Music said her blog received a total of 1 billion hits as of early 2008. She sang theme songs for the Eyeshield 21, Hakaba Kitarō, Yoshimune, and Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann anime series. The Gurren Lagann theme, "Sorairo Days," debuted at #3 on Japan's Oricon weekly singles chart. She also voiced roles in Eyeshield 21, Hakaba Kitarō, and the Pokémon movies.
Nakagawa and Vice Foreign Minister Katsuhito Asano officially welcomed the finalists in the 2007 World Cosplay Summit to Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs last August. Nakagawa then drew her first published manga, Nōko no Koi, in Ohta Shuppan's hon-nin magazine last September. Nakagawa capped off 2007 by performing in Kōhaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Song Battle), the New Year's Eve singing contest that is among the most-watch television programs in Japan. She released her first full-length album, Big☆Bang!!!, last week.
