June 11, 2010
News for Anime Expo 2010:
Anime Expo announces Japanese singer, Beni, as a guest of honor
Los Angeles, CA – June 11, 2010 – Anime Expo® is pleased to announce today that Japanese singer, BENI, will be an official Guest of Honor at its July convention. Anime Expo, North America's largest anime and manga convention, is scheduled for July 1 – 4, 2010, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. BENI will perform live in Nokia Theater on July 3, at 12:00 p.m. She will be the opening act for J-rock band, SOPHIA.
BENI burst onto the music scene in 2004. She quickly reached idol status through her multiple album releases, performances and personal appearances. BENI is most known for her singles Harmony, Here Alone, Mou Nido to... and Yurayura. She has also lent her vocal talents to the ending theme songs for the anime titles, Eyeshield 21 and Major. The pop star's most recent album, Lovebox, debuted to impressive numbers and took the top spot on the Oricon charts.
Beyond her successful musical career, BENI has also been involved in the television, modeling and fashion industries. Most notably, BENI hosted the NHK television program Tokyo Kawaii TV, in which she represented and discussed the latest fashion trends in Japan.
President and CEO Michael Lattanzio states, "AX 2010 eagerly awaits the arrival of BENI. She is one of the most popular singers to evolve from Japan's unique chaku-uta. The SPJA's mission and vision is to promote Japanese culture and animation in North America and worldwide. Since its inception, the organization has been seen as a bridge between North America and Japan by fans globally. We seek to find the best, biggest and most popular stars - those that will help us properly represent the culture of Japan at our annual event. This year, we are thrilled to invite renowned musical artist BENI to be a part of Anime Expo 2010. She perfectly embodies the type of artist and glamorous fashion icon that young women aspire to become. We are confident that our attendees will be filled with admiration and enthusiasm when they learn she will be attending our event in Los Angeles. AX 2010 welcomes and rolls out the red carpet for BENI who returns and makes her musical debut in the presence of thousands of event guests in the Nokia Theater."
BENI says of her upcoming appearance, "I am honored by your invitation to participate in such an event that brings Japanese culture to the US. As a child, I spent several years in southern California, so I am grateful for the opportunity to return for the first time as an artist. I hope to support SPJA in making the best of this event, and look forward to delivering my music to worldwide fans."
BENI joins Anime Expo's 2010 guest line-up along with voice actresses Yui Horie and Eri Kitamura; Internet sensation Danny Choo; musical artists Megumi Nakajima and May'n; manga artist Rei Hiroe; musical artist MELL; supergroup AKB48; 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.
