AnimeUSA Announces First Round of Guests

AnimeUSA, in Crystal City, Va., announces its first round of guests.

Crystal City, Va. - AnimeUSA is pleased to announce its first round of guests. The convention looks forward to making more announcements over the summer as the guest list is updated.

Kristine Sa, a young singer/songwriter with a sultry voice of gold, at the age of 16 she was referred by a friend to Nemesis Records, who instantly signed her. Through internet promotions and word-of-mouth Kristine's buzz quickly grew within the Asian community, and when her debut album "I Never Knew" was released in February 2002, sales exploded and CDs were sold to fans all over the US and as far away as The UK, Taiwan, Japan and Australia. Kristine Sa has since continued to build her worldwide following with her unique brand of pop, releasing 3 full-length English language albums and a Japanese language pop remix project for Jellybean Records. On that project, entitled AnimeToonz3, Kristine sings remixes of Anime's biggest theme songs including Inuyasha, Cowboy Bebop, Gundam Seed and Ranma 1/2. Kristine's recently released 3rd full length album "Hopeless Romantic" incorporates eastern instrumentation together with western sounds and pop sensibility to create a soundscape unlike any other. With the album singles "Don't Come Home" and "Consequence" already receiving airplay on major radio stations across the country and her new music video for "Consequence" showcasing Kristine's style, beautiful voice, poetic lyrics and catchy melodies, "Hopeless Romantic" is sure to define Kristine Sa as a worldwide pop phenomenon. (http://KristineSa.com)

Patrick Seitz, a voice actor and ADR Director from Los Angeles will be in attendance. He has worked on over 80 anime and video game titles in the last few years. Some popular anime roles he has done include: Isshin Kurosaki in Bleach, George in Paradise Kiss, Hazel in Saiyuki Reload Gunlock, Dhaos in Tales of Phantasia, Raul in Ergo Proxy, Koshiro in Koi Kaze, Charles Beams in Eureka 7, Lee Linho in R.O.D. the TV, and Luke Valentine in Hellsing and Hellsing Ultimate. His voice can be found in the games Valkyrie Profile 2, Time Crisis 4, Ace Combat Zero and Romancing Saga. Patrick has also been involved at ADR directing in the English dubs of Girls Bravo, Kamichu!, and Tales of Phantasia, and adapted about two-thirds of The Melody of Oblivion. (www.patrickseitz.com.)

Brett Weaver, a voice actor from Texas, has had the pleasure of working in the industry for almost 20 years. His most notable anime roles include Nabeshin in Nerima Daikon Brothers and Excel Saga, Roy Fokker in Macross (Robotech), Go in Godannar, Carrot in Sorcerer Hunters, Prince Jeffrey (and his father) in Slayers, Kiyoharu Gowa in Gasaraki, and Damaramu in Dragon Half.

E. K. Weaver, will also be joining us as a guest this year. She was the lovely creator and artist for the illustrated back cover of our program book last year. E.K. has incredible talent and is an established artist and graphic designer. She is known best as the creator of Big Big Truck Productions and her artwork can be seen at many conventions illustrating a variety of program books, badges, and fliers. (www.big-big-truck.com)

Award-winning cosplayer, Tristen Citrine, will also be in attendance. Tristen has been cosplaying since 1998 and her lovely creations have been stunning the convention scene ever since. Her current passion is her Cosworx.com business where she sells wigs, shoes, clothing, and costumes online as well as at various conventions throughout the United States. (http://tristencitrine.com/)

AnimeUSA is a Japanese pop-culture convention based in Crystal City, Va. This year it will be during the weekend of November 16-18 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport. Pre-registration rates are currently $30 until April 30, 2007. More information can be found at www.animeusa.org.