April 15, 2008
News for Anime Expo 2008:
Anime Expo 2008 announces second main event concert guest of honor
Dynamic Musical Duo Attends the Nation's Largest Anime/Manga ConventionAnaheim, California (April 15, 2008) --Anime Expo® 2008 is proud to announce the attendance of Jyukai-the musical duo consisting of Manami (vocals) and Dewa Yoshiaki (composition) 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.
Jyukai, formed in the summer of 2004 and began performing live around Osaka. On March 15th, 2006, they had their TV anime debut with the ending theme for "Fate/Stay Night." Their song, "Anata ga Ita Mori" (The Forest in Which You Were), ranked 16th on the March 27th Oricon Chart in its first week of release. Since then they have released songs for various anime and movies including the opening song for "Ah! My Goddess: Flights of Fancy," the ending theme for "Buso Renkin," and the opening theme for the live action movie "Shin - Onna Tachigui Retsuden" directed by Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell: Innocence). Last fall they released "Ai no Hoshi" (Love Star) and "Hanamuke no Melody" (Farewell Melody) as well as a cover of the opening and ending themes for "Ah! My Goddess: Fighting Wings," a special commemorative program for the 20th anniversary of "Ah! My Goddess." They recently released their second album, "Harvest," on December 12, 2007. Their album has received favorable reviews for having such high quality songs.
Jyukai's songs are usually composed and arranged by Dewa, while the lyrics are written and sung by Manami. With his policy "never forget the pop parts in any song," Dewa creates delicate music with a sense of sorrow. His songs are easy to listen to and fascinate people time and time again. Manami's lyrics possess their own realistic and unique vision, often unlocking stories and memories deep within everyone's heart. Manami's emotional vocals strike a chord in the hearts of the listeners, touching them deeply.
Jyukai joins legendary American voice actor [g2289]David Hayter[/e], famed POKEMON director Masamitsu Hidaka 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. 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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