June 22, 2006
News for Anime Expo 2006:
Special Fullmetal Alchemist screening at Anime Expo
Anaheim, California (June 22, 2006) -- Anime Expo® and FUNimation® Entertainment are pleased to announce that the U.S. premiere of Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie - Conqueror of Shamballa will be held at Anime Expo in the Main Events hall in the Anahiem Convention Center on Monday, July 3rd from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. The event will be hosted by Anime Expo 2006 official Guests of Honor Japanese Movie Director Seiji Mizushima, Japanese Voice Actor for Edward Elric Romi Paku, U.S. Voice Actor for Edward Elric Vic Mignogna and FUNimation Guest U.S. English Dub Director Mike McFarland and Special Guest Masahiko Minami, President of Studio Bones. Following the movie, a question and answer session with the audience will be held.
"The Fullmetal Alchemist series has transformed the way anime is viewed in the United States and the Fullmetal Alchemist movie will do the same for anime features and movies," said Gen Fukunaga, president and CEO of FUNimation Entertainment. "We knew when we acquired the series that it had tremendous potential, and we are just getting started."
Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie - Conqueror of Shamballa has already received international accolades. The movie won Animation of the Year, Best Original Story and Best Music at Tokyo International Anime Fair 2006, Japan's premiere industry event.
Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie Conqueror of Shamballa takes place in Munich in 1923. Two years have passed since Edward Elric's sacrifice ripped him out of his world and into ours, separating him from his younger brother, Alphonse. In that time, Ed's continued research into rocketry has allied him with Alphons Heiderich, a fellow researcher who oddly resembles Ed's brother. Progress has been slow, however, and Ed has become discouraged. But when he saves a quiet Gypsy girl with the power to read minds, Ed is quickly pulled into a plot by the Thule Society and the burgeoning Nazi Party that could drag both worlds into a terrible war.
Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie - Conqueror of Shamballa is also part of the programming for FUNimation's theatrical initiative, FUNimation Films. Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie Conqueror of Shamballa is scheduled to hit theatres nationwide on September 8, 2006. For more information go to www.fullmetalalchemist.com.
About Anime Expo
Located in Anaheim, California - Anime Expo®, the North America'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 2006 will be held July 1 - 4, 2006 at the Anaheim Convention Center. More information can be found at its official website www.anime-expo..
About SPJA
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 official website (www.spja.org).
About FUNimation Entertainment
FUNimation® Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation, is the leading company for home video sales of Japanese animation in the United States. FUNimation is known for acquiring top-rated anime series from Japan and for developing some of North America's most popular anime series. The company has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution. For images, or more information on FUNimation or any of its properties, contact Jeff Dronen at 817-788-0627, ext. 251 or [email protected].
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