Japanese Musical Group AKB48 will be Official Guests of Honor at Anime Expo 2010

Anaheim, CA – April 27, 2010 – Anime Expo® is pleased to announce today that Japanese musical supergroup, AKB48, will be official Guests of Honor at its July convention. Anime Expo, the United States' largest anime and manga convention, is scheduled for July 1 – 4, 2010, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. AKB48 will perform live in Nokia Theater on Thursday, July 1, 2010, at 4:30 p.m. The members will also participate in attendee panels, meet-and-greets and autograph sessions.

The all-female musical group, created in 2005 by award-winning songwriter and producer, Yasushi Akimoto, has enjoyed much success and increased popularity over the course of their career. In addition to releasing several popular singles and albums, the 63 members of AKB48 perform regularly to a full-house crowd at their exclusive theater in Akihabara. Many members of the group are also featured in movies, television shows, magazines and various other special appearances.

AKB48's latest single, Sakura no Shiori, sold an impressive 370,000 copies in its first week of release in February of 2010. Shortly after, the group released their second studio album, Kamikyokutachi, which debuted at the top spot of the Oricon album chart. It's no secret that the spunky, fashion-forward members of AKB48 have captured the hearts of fans all over the world.

AKB48 comes to America to deliver a one-of-a-kind, powerhouse performance exclusively for Anime Expo attendees. The group members are passionate about representing and spreading Japanese pop culture to American fans. “We are delighted to welcome AKB48 as our special dream ambassadors to this year's expo and experience the smiles they will create for our fans,” says SPJA President and CEO Michael Lattanzio. “Hosting these superstars in Los Angeles will no doubt help bridge the gap between America and Japan, and create a global culture that each of us can connect to.”

AKB48 joins Anime Expo's 2010 line-up along with voice actor Katsuyuki Konishi, Eden of the East trio Kenji Kamiyama, Satoru Nakamura and Tomohiko Ishii, voice actor Kyle Hebert, animation director Toshihiro Kawamoto, seiyuu Yuu Asakawa, J-rock band Sophia, and anime director Shinichi “Nabeshin” Watanabe. To stay updated on all of the latest Anime Expo 2010 news, follow us on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook and check us out on YouTube.

To register for Anime Expo 2010, please visit our website.

About Anime Expo®
Anime Expo is located in Los Angeles and is the nation's largest anime and manga convention. The Expo serves to foster trade, commerce and the interests of the general public and animation industry. This event serves as a key meeting place for the general public to express their interest and explore various aspects of both anime and manga, as well as for members of the industry to conduct business. AX 2010 will be held July 1 – July 4, 2010, at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Southern California. More information can be found at www.anime-expo.org.

About The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation
The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is 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 www.spja.org.