Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) Announces a Call for Entries for the 2009 SPJA Industry Awards

Anaheim, California (February 6, 2009) — Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) announces a call for entries for the 2009 SPJA Industry Awards, one of the most prestigious awards that can be given to any studio and/or individual within the Anime/Manga industries to be held during the Industry Reception at the nation's largest Anime/Manga convention Anime Expo® 2009 (July 2-5, 2009; www.anime-expo.org). More information can be found on the website <www.spja.org> .

“The SPJA Industry Awards is extremely prestigious and coveted,” states SPJA CEO, Ms. Trulee Karahashi, “It is an award that is truly selected by the fans of anime and manga.” Industry companies (both U.S. and abroad) are encouraged to obtain the 2009 Official Nomination Forms via the online website at <www.spja.org> or to email [email protected]. Submission deadline is February 16, 2009 at 11:59 PST. Entry Forms that are received later than the deadline will not be accepted.

Categories include:

* Best Voice Actor (Japanese)
* Best Voice Actor (English)
* Best Voice Actress (Japanese)
* Best Voice Actress (English)
* Best Casting Director
* Best Character Design
* Best Mechanical Design
* Best Male Character
* Best Female Character
* Best Mascot Character
* Best Background Design
* Best Original Video Animation
* Best Feature Film
* Best Television Series
* Best Original Score
* Best Original Song
* Best Director (Japanese)
* Best Director (American)
* Best Manga-Action
* Best Manga-Comedy
* Best Manga-Drama
* Best Publication
* Best Full-Motion Video in Video Game

Past winners have included Bandai Entertainment for S.O.S. BRIGADE, Viz Media for DEATHNOTE and BLEACH, FUNimation Entertainment for TSUBASA CHRONICLES and many more.

Finalists will be announced March 18 ,2009 for public online voting (voting ends May 29, 2009). Winners of the 2009 SPJA Industry Awards will be announced during the Industry Reception held at Anime Expo® 2009; July 2, 2009.

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.