Anime Expo® 2008 Announces First Japanese Guest of Honor
Nation's Largest Convention Welcomes Famed Pokémon Director
Anaheim, California (March 12, 2008) — Famed director Masamitsu Hidaka is
the first addition to the hottest line up of Anime Expo® 2008 Guests of
Honor for the highly anticipated 2008 convention July 3-6, 2008 at the Los
Angeles Convention Center. More information can be found on the website
<www.anime-expo.org> .
Mr. Hidaka was led to the world of animation during his job search efforts
after unfortunately loosing his job at an architecture design office in
Fukuoka. Upon discovering his new career path, Mr. Hidaka moved to Tokyo
and began his career as a production runner for an animation studio. Soon
after, Mr. Hidaka made his debut as assistant director in DIRTY PAIR then
later as the action director and storyboard artist in the OVA KIKO SENKI
DRAGONAR. Mr. Hidaka was also in charge of action choreography and
storyboards for the notable title MASHIN EIYUUDEN WATARU 2. Mr. Hidaka made
his directorial debut with the animated television series JUU SENSHI
GARUKIBA. Since then Mr. Hidaka has worked on other highly acclaimed titles
including the POKEMON television and theatrical franchise, MOBILE SUIT
GAUNDAM WING (TV), AFTER WAR GUNDAM X (TV) and BRAVE KING GAOGAIGAR (TV).
Currently, Mr. Hidaka is working as the Director for the highly anticipated
GONZO television series LINEBARRELS OF IRON.
“I feel very lucky that GONZO offered me (the opportunity) to direct
LINEBARRELS OF IRON(,) because when they came to me with this title, I was
just looking for a mecha-anime to work on” states Mr. Hidaka. Upon
reflection of his career in animation, Mr. Hidaka states “I was one of those
lucky souls who (was) involved in the production of mecha-anime in the 80's
and 90's when (the) genre was at its prime. Although the trend in today's
anime is character-oriented, I had been asking myself how I would be able to
reassert mecha-anime without compromising marketability. I agreed to work
on LINEBARRELS OF IRON because I saw it as the perfect chance to try doing
just that. I hope to make a cool mecha-anime but add somewhat cute elements
too.”
Attendees, Press and Industry Members are also encouraged to view the video
coverage site of the 2007 convention at www.AXBackstage.org.
About Anime Expo®
Located in Los Angeles, California - Anime Expo®, the nation'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 2008 will be held July 3 – July 6, 2008 at
the Los Angeles Convention Center in Southern California. 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®/SPJA's 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.
###
PHOTO EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE: Photos are available to the media. Please call
Chase Wang at (310) 869-8030 or send an e-mail to [email protected] to
request materials.
CALENDAR EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE:
The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Anime presents Anime Expo® 2008.
WHO: Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation
Industry giants
Guests from Japan and the U.S.
Exhibit Hall
Main Events
Concerts
Live Programming
Artist Alley
Screenings
Dances
Arcade
Red & Black Sponsors include: FUNimation and
ImaginAsian TV
Gold Sponsors include: Digital Manga Publishing
Silver Sponsors include: Gaia Online
Patron Sponsors include: COPIC and Central Park
Media
WHAT: Nation's largest 24 Hour anime/manga convention serving over
44,000+ unique attendees in 2007.
WHEN: Thursday, July 3, 2008 through Sunday, July 6, 2008
WHERE: Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 South Figueroa Street; Los
Angeles, CA 90015
ADMISSION:
Registration Type Dates Price
Children ages 5 and under Anytime Free
4-Day Child (children ages 6-12) Anytime $30
Early Jan 1st to March 17th
4-Day Attendee $50
2-Day Attendee $45
1-Day Attendee $25
Regular March 18th to June 1st
4-Day Attendee $55
2-Day Attendee $45
1-Day Attendee $25
Late June 2nd to July 6th
4-Day Attendee $60
2-Day Attendee $45
1-Day Attendee $25
At the door* July 3rd to July 6th
4-Day Attendee $65
2-Day Attendee $50
1-Day Attendee $25
*At the door registration refers to badges purchased at the Los Angeles
Convention Center during the convention. Those who choose to register at the
Anime Expo® registration site will be subject to the fees listed in the “At
the door” category. However, online registrations made during the convention
are considered “Late” and will be charged according to the prices listed in
the “Late” category. Please note that you will save $5 by registering
online!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit the Anime Expo® 2008 website at:
http://ww.anime-expo.org or call (310) 869-8030
Anaheim, California (March 12, 2008) — Famed director Masamitsu Hidaka is
the first addition to the hottest line up of Anime Expo® 2008 Guests of
Honor for the highly anticipated 2008 convention July 3-6, 2008 at the Los
Angeles Convention Center. More information can be found on the website
<www.anime-expo.org> .
Mr. Hidaka was led to the world of animation during his job search efforts
after unfortunately loosing his job at an architecture design office in
Fukuoka. Upon discovering his new career path, Mr. Hidaka moved to Tokyo
and began his career as a production runner for an animation studio. Soon
after, Mr. Hidaka made his debut as assistant director in DIRTY PAIR then
later as the action director and storyboard artist in the OVA KIKO SENKI
DRAGONAR. Mr. Hidaka was also in charge of action choreography and
storyboards for the notable title MASHIN EIYUUDEN WATARU 2. Mr. Hidaka made
his directorial debut with the animated television series JUU SENSHI
GARUKIBA. Since then Mr. Hidaka has worked on other highly acclaimed titles
including the POKEMON television and theatrical franchise, MOBILE SUIT
GAUNDAM WING (TV), AFTER WAR GUNDAM X (TV) and BRAVE KING GAOGAIGAR (TV).
Currently, Mr. Hidaka is working as the Director for the highly anticipated
GONZO television series LINEBARRELS OF IRON.
“I feel very lucky that GONZO offered me (the opportunity) to direct
LINEBARRELS OF IRON(,) because when they came to me with this title, I was
just looking for a mecha-anime to work on” states Mr. Hidaka. Upon
reflection of his career in animation, Mr. Hidaka states “I was one of those
lucky souls who (was) involved in the production of mecha-anime in the 80's
and 90's when (the) genre was at its prime. Although the trend in today's
anime is character-oriented, I had been asking myself how I would be able to
reassert mecha-anime without compromising marketability. I agreed to work
on LINEBARRELS OF IRON because I saw it as the perfect chance to try doing
just that. I hope to make a cool mecha-anime but add somewhat cute elements
too.”
Attendees, Press and Industry Members are also encouraged to view the video
coverage site of the 2007 convention at www.AXBackstage.org.
About Anime Expo®
Located in Los Angeles, California - Anime Expo®, the nation'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 2008 will be held July 3 – July 6, 2008 at
the Los Angeles Convention Center in Southern California. 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®/SPJA's 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.
###
PHOTO EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE: Photos are available to the media. Please call
Chase Wang at (310) 869-8030 or send an e-mail to [email protected] to
request materials.
CALENDAR EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE:
The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Anime presents Anime Expo® 2008.
WHO: Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation
Industry giants
Guests from Japan and the U.S.
Exhibit Hall
Main Events
Concerts
Live Programming
Artist Alley
Screenings
Dances
Arcade
Red & Black Sponsors include: FUNimation and
ImaginAsian TV
Gold Sponsors include: Digital Manga Publishing
Silver Sponsors include: Gaia Online
Patron Sponsors include: COPIC and Central Park
Media
WHAT: Nation's largest 24 Hour anime/manga convention serving over
44,000+ unique attendees in 2007.
WHEN: Thursday, July 3, 2008 through Sunday, July 6, 2008
WHERE: Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 South Figueroa Street; Los
Angeles, CA 90015
ADMISSION:
Registration Type Dates Price
Children ages 5 and under Anytime Free
4-Day Child (children ages 6-12) Anytime $30
Early Jan 1st to March 17th
4-Day Attendee $50
2-Day Attendee $45
1-Day Attendee $25
Regular March 18th to June 1st
4-Day Attendee $55
2-Day Attendee $45
1-Day Attendee $25
Late June 2nd to July 6th
4-Day Attendee $60
2-Day Attendee $45
1-Day Attendee $25
At the door* July 3rd to July 6th
4-Day Attendee $65
2-Day Attendee $50
1-Day Attendee $25
*At the door registration refers to badges purchased at the Los Angeles
Convention Center during the convention. Those who choose to register at the
Anime Expo® registration site will be subject to the fees listed in the “At
the door” category. However, online registrations made during the convention
are considered “Late” and will be charged according to the prices listed in
the “Late” category. Please note that you will save $5 by registering
online!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit the Anime Expo® 2008 website at:
http://ww.anime-expo.org or call (310) 869-8030
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