FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEANIME EXPO® 2008 ANNOUNCES FIRST JAPANESE GUEST OF HONOR

Nation¹s Largest Convention Welcomes Famed Pokemon 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 <http://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.

³I 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 on² states Mr. Hidaka. Upon reflection of his career in animation, Mr. Hidaka states ³I was one of those lucky souls who (was) involved in the production of mecha-anime in the 80¹s and 90¹s when (the) genre was at its prime. Although the trend in today¹s 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.²

 

 

About Anime Expo®Located in Los Angeles, California – Anime Expo®, the nation¹s 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. 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 (<http://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®/SPJA¹s 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 chase@bam-mp.com 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: Nation¹s 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 ³At the door² category. However, online registrations made during the convention are considered ³Late² and will be charged according to the prices listed in the ³Late² 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