May 29, 2008
News for Anime Expo 2008:
Madhouse animator Hiromi Kato added to Anime Expo guest list
Nation's Largest Anime and Manga Convention Welcomes Celebrated and Elusive Madhouse AnimatAnaheim, California (May 29, 2008) —Anime Expo® 2008 announces the 1st ever global convention appearance of Madhouse animator Hiromi Kato as an official Guest of Honor to this year’s Anime Expo® 2008 held from July 3-6, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. More information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org.
Mr. Kato learned about animation from renowned animator Yasuji Mori from the age of 16 at Nippon Animation Co., LTD after being deeply impressed by the NHK TV anime “Mirai Shounen Conan” (FUTURE BOY CONAN).
Mr. Kato’s first role as a key animator was for the title “Peter Pan no Bouken” (ADVENTURES OF PETER PAN). He debuted as an animation director with “Trapp Ikka Monogatari” (TRAP FAMILY STORY). He debuted as a character designer with “Daisogen No Chiisana Tenshi Bush Baby” (THE BUSH BABY). He also designed characters for “Ai to Yuuki no Big Girl Tonde Buurin” (SUPER PIG OF LOVE AND COURAGE), “Hameln no Violin Hiki” (VIOLINIST OF HAMELN) and other titles while at Nippon Animation Co., Ltd. Mr. Kato was also involved in the planning of “Tenshi ni Narumon!” (I’M GONNA BE AN ANGEL!) as well as the production of “Shoujo Kakumei Utena” (REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA).
Mr. Kato is a current member of Madhouse Studios working as an animation director for BECK and PARADISE KISS as well as a character designer for CLAMP IN WONDERLAND 2.
Hiromi Kato joins up and coming director Masahiro Ando, legendary American voice actor David Hayter, famed POKEMON director Masamitsu Hidaka, the dynamic duo known as Jyukai, celebrated veteran voice actor Toshihiko Seki and the new Japanese “It-Girl” Shokotan in Anime Expo® 2008’s amazing line up of Guests of Honor.
Attendees that have pre-registered can also update their information and add on orders for main event tickets via the Anime Expo® 2008 Online Registration Area at www.anime-expo.org.
Free shuttle services for all hotel attendees will be provided. Regular non-hotel attendees will have access to utilize the free shuttle services during designated hours as well. All schedules and routes will be posted in the lobby of each shuttle hotel. Frequency of service is pending local traffic, road conditions and can change without notice. Also, no shuttle service provided to the Holiday Inn City Center and the Figueroa Hotel (both are within walking distance of the Los Angeles Convention Center).
Attendees, Press and Industry Members are also encouraged to view the video coverage site of the 2007 convention at www.AXBackstage.org.
This year’s Red & Black Sponsors are FUNimation and ImaginAsian Television. Platinum Sponsor is Imagi Studios. Gold Sponsor is Digital Manga Publishing. Silver Sponsor is Gaia Online. Patron Sponsors are Central Park Media and COPIC Markers.
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.
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