Is it that time Already?

It seems like time just flew by if I’m stepping into LA’s convention center already. I can’t believe it’s AX time again! I’m overly excited for it though and today was just scout out what the layout was for the whole convention. I’ll say this, the registration process went a lot smoother and a lot quicker than last year. It seems as though they have everything in order and not as hectic as it was last year. After getting my badge set up, it was time to see how well this AX turned out. The Exhibitor’s hall seems the same to me. No bigger than it was last year, but at the very least it didn’t get smaller. I’ve seen familiar faces, returning companies, and sadly companies that are MIA. Eh, you win some, you lose some right? I did notice that the artist hall got their own friggin room, FINALLY! Compared to having a crammed up hall where everyone is squeezing through just trying to get to their next destination. Now, you can enjoy viewing all the artists without feeling rushed!

What would AX be without the massive amounts of cosplayers running around? Plenty to see and like, or dislike in some cases, from every anime, video game, or movie that you can think of. After exploring the different halls I decided to check out the gaming rooms. I visited the arcade room first, that was a waste of time. There was nothing that stood out that you couldn’t find in any other arcade. I thought they would have something new in there and at the prices they were charging to play it would be much better to just go to the console gaming room. In console gaming they had a few new games going on. A Naruto game I’m sure the fans are happy about and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. They had a couple of unreleased games, including Blazeblue a new game from the guys who brought you Guilty Gear. Other than checking out the main floor, visiting the game rooms and attending a Dark Horse panel (which I will be blogging soon), there wasn’t much I did today. I have to get my convention feet back, so I figured I’d take it slow today. Tomorrow should be much more interesting and exciting!

Anime Expo 24 hours!!!

By Angie Quidim

There are conventions that usually run business hours and end programming at about 6pm.  Anime Expo is one of those exceptions.  While the guests of honor and exhibitors shy away the denizens of fandom come out and play.  Besides the 24 hour viewing rooms, gamers can play tabletop games, hang out at an arcade, battle it out in a console room, and sing karaoke.  You may find most hardcore gamers out at 3am if you want a real challenge.  Someone else may be shy and want to belt out in the middle of the night.  If you want to play all day and keep going till the break of dawn this one’s for you.

Viz Industry Panel

By Angie Quidim

Viz had several announcements that kept attendees glued to their seats.  One of the upcoming releases is based on the XBOX 360 video game Blue Dragon wich was slated for September 16th of this year.  Other releases expected out this year are the second and third Naruto movies and the first US release of the Bleach Movie.   Other DVD titles announced were  Other big DVD releases include Hunter X Hunter volume 1 (Dec. 9) and the first Death Note box set (Nov. 18), which will include the first 20 episodes on five discs.

Announced manga that will be released from Viz include the second edition of One Round Gospel, Real and Slam Dunk, Solanin, Black Lagoon, Cowa, and  Nora. In September Viz will also release the Vizbig edition of Vagabond,a 3-volumes-in-one collection that will retail for $19.99.   Viz will re-releasing some of their previous manga titles as collector’s editions, that will feature hard covers and dust jackets, retailing for $19.99. Some of these titles that are included are Bleach, Death Note, Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, and Yu-Ghi-Oh!

2009 releases will include Oishinbo, a manga about food. Heaven’s Will is expected to be released.  Viz will also release two of their previous titles in omnibus format, with the Vizbig versions of Fushugi Yugi and Hot Gimmick.

Viz ended the panel announcing three new acquisitions: Honey Hunt, Magic Touch, Otomen and Gestalt. 

AX Day 1

Well, we were able to arrive early which was a plus and were all registered and ready to go within about 10 minutes. For the most part today was an “explore” day,… tried to get a feel for the layout of the con so we’d know where to go when we needed to visit certain company booths. Of course, the Dark Horse booth was near impossible to find; we searched for about 30 minutes before going to the Dark Horse panel where we were able to find out the exact booth number.   Even at that point, we still walked past it once before finding it…. Finally. I was able to score some pretty good pictures of cosplayers thanks to my NEW camera that doesn’t take 2 days to finally take a picture that ends up being funny if I even flinched a little at the time it finally decided to snap the photo. The con seems smaller than the two previous years that I’ve gone. I don’t know if they just have a bigger area this time, so the booths are more spread out, or if it actually is smaller.  That’s enough for now though, gotta get some sleep so I can fully tackle the con tomorrow.

AX Keynote: The Future of SPJA

By Angie Quidim

The first official presentation kicking off the start of this year’s Anime Expo began with CEO, Trulee Karahashi’s, keynote presented at the Nokia theatre next to the Los Angeles Convention Center. 

Trulee explained the role of the SPJA and how it had come a long way from its humble beginnings of putting together a convention such as Anime Expo and the measures that were being taken to improve through the years.  Steps were taken to make sure that the registration complaints and the programming issues would not continue with future shows.  A training  course was issued for the board of directors and the convention staff to assure that the best processes would be practiced.  More marketing was done in Japan during the Tokyo Game Showand the Tokyo International Anime Festival to improve attendance.  An industry panel at the Tokyo International Anime Festival was presented to discuss the trends of Anime in Japan and how it affected the release of Anime in America. 

The SPJA has declared a mission to expand itself as a moderator between the Anime industry in Japan as well as the United States.  The organization would like to help the Japanese Anime and related Industries in the negotiation and licensing the latest shows and related products to distribute to  America.   The SPJA also seeks to unify and expand relations with fan groups and other anime organizations througout the US.

Anime Expo opens its doors in full swing

by Angie Quidim

Anime Expo opened its doors in the LA Convention Center for the first time with a huge bang.  Much to the suprise of many pre-registered attendees there was little to no wait and the fully computerized registration system alleviated many of the problems in the previous years.  It wasn’t flawless but much faster and definitely less complaints.  Attendees can spend more time in the conventions than waiting to get into it.

It remains to be seen if this new convention layout will be worth the ticket that it is printed on but my vote says that it will be definitely worth it!

BLAZBLUE LOCATION TEST TOUR ANNOUNCED

On behalf of Arc System Works, Aksys Games, a leading publisher of interactive entertainment products, is pleased to announce the very first Location Test Tour for BLAZBLUE (Arcade version) in
America!  To commemorate the tour, Aksys Games will be working with the biggest anime convention in America, to host our very first location test. The location test will last for all four days of Anime Expo®, at the console gaming room.

³ This is a very big year for fighting games, so we’re very excited to be working with Arc System Works in bringing you this very rare opportunity to let U.S. gamers try out BLAZBLUE at Anime Expo®, ³ said Akibo Shieh, president of Aksys Games. ³If you’re a fighting game fan, you owe it to yourself to come check out one of the most beautiful 2D games ever made. ³  ³Anime Expo® is proud and honored to have Arc System Works premier and test their latest fighting game, BLAZBLUE, in our console gaming room.  In the tradition of Arc System Works¹ GUILTY GEAR series, BLAZBLUE will stun with it¹s amazing character designs and non stop action. Our attendees are in for a special treat!² states Anime Expo® 2008 Interactive Division Director Joe Woo.

BLAZBLUE LOCATION TEST TOUR INFO

1st  Location Test  

WHAT: BLAZBLUE Location Test

WHEN:     July 3 ­ July 6 10 AM ­ 5 PM

WHERE:   Anime Expo® 2008 
              Los Angeles Convention Center 
              Console Gaming Room

Attendees, Press and Industry Members are also encouraged to view the video coverage site of the 2007 convention at www.AXBackstage.org <http://www.AXBackstage.org> .

ANIME EXPO® 2008 ALTERNATES YOUR VISION

Nation¹s Largest Anime and Manga Convention Launches New ³Sneak Peek² Videos 

Anime Expo® 2008 and Alternate
Vision Productions presents a new promotional video with a ³sneak peek² of Anime Expo® 2008 will be 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 <http://www.anime-expo.org> .

Three current (3) videos are available for viewing on the convention¹s official website www.anime-expo.org <http://www.anime-expo.org> .  There is an initial ³welcome² piece, a ³Sneak Peek² on the highly popular Masquerade/AX Idol Events and a quick introduction to some of the 2008
Guests of Honor.

More original videos and unique programming will be available on the AXBackstage site (www.axbackstage.org <http://www.axbackstage.org> ) and on select Anime Expo® Official hotel Dark Channels. 

The full list of official Anime Expo® 2008 Guests of Honor include up and coming director Masahiro Ando, legendary American voice actor David Hayter, famed POKEMON director Masamitsu Hidaka, the dynamic duo known as Jyukai, renowned animator Hiromi Kato, celebrated veteran voice actor Toshihiko Seki, the new Japanese ³It-Girl² Shokotan and the legendary character
designer Takada Akemi.

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 <http://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 <http://www.AXBackstage.org> . 
This year¹s 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.
 

ANIME EXPO® 2008 PRESENTS THE 3RD ANNUAL SPJA INDUSTRY CONFERENCE KEY NOTES AND PANELS

Executives Gather to Discuss Relevant Industry Issues of Present and Ideas for the Future of Anime and Manga

With questions about the industries and its future, the 3rd Annual SPJA Industry Conference will be
presenting key note speeches from industry leaders as well as panel discussions regarding pertinent industry issues of the present and possible solutions for the future.  The 3rd Annual SPJA Industry Conference at Anime Expo® 2008 will be 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 <http://www.anime-expo.org> .

Key note speeches will be provided by representatives from the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation, Japan External Trade Organization, FUNimation and Crunchyroll.

Panel will be moderated by key editors and journalists from the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Anime Insider, Otaku U.S.A. and the Anime News Network.  Participants include executives from Anime News Network, Axis Entertainment, CMX, Crunchyroll, Dark Horse Comics, Digital Manga
Publishing, FUNimation, GDH K.K., Go! Comi, MTV, Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation, Spike TV, The Right Stuf International, TokyoPop, Tomy Corporation and Viz Media, LLC. Panel topics include:

ANIME IN THE U.S.: FANSUBS-THE DEATH OF ANIME?
Fansubs: they’re the giant pink elephant in the room that no one wants to
talk about. But with the anime DVD industry declining at a rate of 20% a
year in the States–while anime fandom continues to boom as indicated by
increasing convention attendance numbers and expanding TV anime hours–it’s
time to talk problems and solutions.

MANGA IN THE U.S.: MANGA-ULTIMATE PUBLISHER SHOWDOWN 2008
The American manga industry is still going strong, but what¹s next? Will
OEL, manhwa and digital delivery change the future? What about the shakeups
and magazine cancellations sweeping the manga industry in Japan? Join
America¹s premiere manga publishers for a no-holds-barred discussion.

TECHNOLOGY, ENTERTAINMENT AND LICENSING
The stage is being set for massive change in technology, electronic
entertainment and licensing. New technologies, such as BluRay, have been
disrupting current business models and are creating entirely new ones in
their place. Mobile operators have aggressively pursued services and
channels, including games and programs, to boost data spending.
Cross-licensing, synchronized releases of products, combined with marketing
plans designed to leverage shared audiences, are rewriting the way companies
market properties, drive revenues and, most importantly, work in
partnerships with others. Mobile entertainment, product development, and
electronic entertainment executives discuss how their interests and
objectives dovetail with those of the anime and manga industries. What are
they looking for from their alliance with the growing industry? How do anime
and manga enhance their own brands? Where are the untapped opportunities for
collaboration? Are there efforts to develop original and unique Intellectual
Properties through early collaboration? How are these other industries
enhancing their profits by maximizing their relationship with the anime and
manga industries? As the success of each entertainment silo begins to depend
increasingly gains of others, knowing how our potential partners think can
only translate into better business opportunities for all.

THE FUTURE OF ANIME IN MOVIES, TELEVISION, VIDEO GAMES, ONLINE AND CABLE
Anime and manga have infiltrated mainstream entertainment with major movie
releases, TV programming and even dedicated channels. As the success of each
entertainment silo begins to depend increasingly on the gains of others,
knowing how our potential partners think can only translate into better
business opportunities for all. Executives from the film, television,
electronic entertainment, cable and internet industries will discuss their
interests and objectives with respect to anime and manga. What are they
looking for from their alliance with the industry? How do anime and manga
enhance their own brands? Where are the untapped opportunities for
collaboration? Are their efforts to develop original and unique Intellectual
Properties through early collaboration? In what ways are their relationships
with the anime and manga industries enhancing their profits?

SCHEDULE:

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS/PANELISTS
THURSDAY; 11:00 am
Trulee Karahashi-Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation, Chief
Executive Officer

THURSDAY; 3:30 pm
Shigeru Kimura-Japan External Trade Organization, Chief Executive Director

FRIDAY; 10:00 am
Gen Fukunaga-FUNimation, Chief Executive Officer

Saturday; 10:00 am
Vu Nguyen-Crunchyroll, Vice President-Business Development and Strategy

ANIME IN THE U.S.: FANSUBS-THE DEATH OF ANIME?
Date, Time:  Thursday; 11:30 am

MANGA IN THE U.S.: MANGA-ULTIMATE PUBLISHER SHOWDOWN 2008
Date, Time: 4:00 pm

TECHNOLOGY, ENTERTAINMENT AND LICENSING
Date, Time:  Friday; 10:30 am

THE FUTURE OF ANIME IN MOVIES, TELEVISION, VIDEO GAMES, ONLINE AND CABLE
Date, Time:  Saturday; 10:30 am

The 3rd Annual SPJA Industry Conference is ONLY open to members of the Press
and Industry. Location of events are listed in the Industry and Press
offices during the convention.

 

CRUNCHYROLL AND T.O ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC ONLINE DISTRIBUTION AND PROMOTION PARTNERSHIP

Exclusive Previews and Videos to Precede Online World Première of EGG MAN

Crunchyroll (www.crunchyroll.com), the leading destination for Asian content on the Internet, and T.O Entertainment, a leading Tokyo-based media production and literary management company, have entered into a strategic partnership to showcase the upcoming computer animated, EGG MAN on Crunchyroll’s service.

³By partnering with Crunchyroll in a controlled release, we will be able to build and then capitalize on the awareness of our content,² said Takeichi Honda, President & CEO of T.O Entertainment. ³We are looking forward to not just showcasing our film, but being able to be a part of the community and
provide them what they want.² In July, T.O Entertainment’s digital channel on Crunchyroll will début a
never before seen trailer for the upcoming EGG MAN film, a computer animated film based off of story in the book, ³ Monologues of Universal Transverse Mercator,² published by Kobunsha. During the rest of the Summer, T.O will continue to release clips, trailers, and behind the scenes footage, leading
up to the Fall where T.O will make the entirety of EGG MAN available outside of Japan on Crunchyroll along with exclusive merchandise just for Crunchyroll.

³Through close collaboration with T.O Entertainment, we will be able to support their content not just in video, but in the full spectrum of media,² said Vu Nguyen, co-founder of Crunchyroll. ³We are excited about being able to give the fans what they want.² Winner of the prestigious Japanese Konomys award for mystery literature, ³Monologues of Universal Transverse Mercator² is written by the critically-acclaimed Mr. Yumeaki Hirayama.