Anime Boston 2016 Announces 1st Guests

Press Release:

Anime Boston, the largest anime convention in New England, announced its first guest of honor today.  Voice actors Greg Ayres, Todd Haberkorn, and Monica Rial will appear at Anime Boston at the Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Mass. on March 25 through March 27, 2016.

Greg Ayres has spent the last fourteen years working in an industry he had admired for years as a fan. With over 200 credits to his name, this fan-boy has managed to get to play a variety of characters that are almost as colorful as his hair. He’s thrilled to splash his way into 2015 in the role of Nagisa Haruki in Free Eternal Summer, and equally as excited to “kill” as MonoKuma in Danganronpa, and Doug in Gangsta.

Todd Haberkorn has been on stage, on set, and behind a mic for many years. Not only is Todd an actor in LA, he works as a producer, writer, and director as well.

In the world of anime, Todd got his first major start in Suzuka as Yamato Akitski. From there, he went on to voice roles such as Jadeite from Sailor Moon, Natsu from Fairy Tail, Italy from Hetalia, Ling Yao from Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Cheren from Pokemon, Allen Walker from D. Gray Man, Hikaru Hitachin from Ouran High School Host Club, Death The Kid from Soul Eater, Bataar Jr. from The Legend of Korra, and many others.

Monica Rial has been working in the anime voice over industry for 16 years and is currently listed as the most prolific anime voice actor in the USA. She has lent her voice to over 400 anime including: Assassination Classroom (Kaede), Baccano! (Chane), Black Butler (Mei Rin), Certain Magical Index (Index), Deadman Wonderland (Shiro), Fairy Tail (Mirajane), FMA (Lyra/Dante, May Chang), Hetalia (Belarus), Michiko & Hatchin (Michiko), One Piece (Tashigi/Carue/Kuina), Ouran Host Club (Renge), Panty and Stocking (Stocking), Soul Eater (Tsubaki), Tokyo Ghoul (Rize), Tsubasa (Sakura), Watamote (Tomoko), Yona of the Dawn (Yona), and many more.

About Anime Boston:
Anime Boston is an annual three-day Japanese animation convention held in Boston, Mass. Anime Boston 2016 is scheduled for Friday, March 25 through Sunday, March 27 at the Hynes Convention Center and Sheraton Boston Hotel. More information about Anime Boston can be found at www.animeboston.com.

About New England Anime Society:
The New England Anime Society was founded in 2001. Based in Massachusetts, The New England Anime Society, Inc. is parent organization of Anime Boston and is dedicated to furthering public education and understanding of the Japanese language and culture through visual and written media. More information about The New England Anime Society is available at www.neanime.org.

FUNimation Directors & Voice Actors Appear at Anime Boston 2013

Press Release:

Anime Boston, the largest anime convention in the Northeast, announced its final round of guests today. Directors Christopher Bevins and Zach Bolton, as well as voice actors Monica Rial, Rachel Robinson and Micah Solusod will be attending Anime Boston at the Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Mass. on May 24 through May 26, 2013.

Since 2001, Christopher Bevins has recorded, cast, directed, produced, acted in and/or adapted scripts for over 100 anime series, movies and specials. His voice directing credits include King of Thorn, Princess Jellyfish, .hack//Quantum, Heaven’s Lost Property, The Sacred Blacksmith, Samurai 7, Speed Grapher, Mongolian Chop Squad (with Taliesin Jaffe), Witchblade, El Cazador de la Bruja, Burst Angel, Shigurui: Death Frenzy, and Dragon Ball GT. He has had the good fortune to direct his own scripts several times, including the feature-length movie Case Closed: The Last Wizard of the Century and Sengoku Basara: Samurai Kings. Chris’ recent and upcoming voice directing work includes of Shakugan no Shana Second, Last Exile – Fam, The Silver Wing, and Michiko & Hatchin.

Bevins is also an accomplished voice actor, with roles such as Japan in Hetalia, Mercutio in Romeo x Juliet, Apollo in Aquarion, Hugo Housman in The Sacred Blacksmith, Fastener in Panty & Stocking, Kenji in Initial D, Peter Stevens in King of Thorn, Nicholas Wayne in Baccano!, Shishi Wakamaru in Yu Yu Hakusho, Lafitte and Shu Shu in One Piece, Bee the Puppy in Dragon Ball Z, and Beck the Dog in BECK. He has also played various characters in critters in Dragon Ball, Sgt. Frog, Soul Eater, Shin chan, Fruits Basket, Fullmetal Alchemist (both series), Ouran High School Host Club, Desert Punk, Kodocha, School Rumble, Case Closed and many more. Chris has also worked on several video games, most notably as the English-language voice of Dhalsim in Street Fighter IV, Super Street Fighter IV and Street Fighter x Tekken.

Zach Bolton has been a voice director with FUNimation for eight years. Prior to voice directing he served as an ADR engineer for two years and has also done work as a voice actor, script writer, and producer. His directing credits include: Eureka 7: AO, Soul Eater, Shin chan, Darker Than Black, Trigun: Badlands Rumble, Desert Punk, Dragonball Z, Ga Rei Zero, A Certain Magical Index, A Certain Scientific Railgun, B Gata H Kei, Dragonaut, Strain, Rumbling Hearts, Peach Girl, and many more.

Micah Solusod is a professional voice actor and artist with FUNimation. Solusod made his debut in the world of anime as the timid Malek Werner in Blassreiter, and was cast as the cool Soul Evans in Soul Eater shortly after. Since then, he has had the honor voicing a number of characters in other FUNimation titles such as Toma Kamijo in A Certain Magical Index, Tsutomu Senkawa in Birdy the Mighty: Decode, Yukitaka Tsuitsui in Level E, Kazuki Makabe in Fafner: Heaven and Earth Movie, Kamui and Subaru in Tsubasa Tokyo Revelations, Liszt Kiriki in Okami-San and Her Seven Companions, and many others.

He can also be heard in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Darker Than Black II, Black Butler II, Deadman Wonderland, Shangri-La, Corpse Princess, Rideback, Sgt. Frog, Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike, Trigun: Badlands Rumble, Baka and Test, Shakugan no Shana, and Last Exile: Fam, the Silver Wing.

Solusod also works as a freelance artist. He is the lead illustrator for the group Painapple Teriyaki, and draws for the fantasy webcomic Ties That Bind.

Monica Rial has been working in the anime voice over industry for 14 years. According to Anime News Network, she is currently the most prolific anime voice actress in the USA. As an actress for ADV Films, Funimation Entertainment, and Sentai Filmworks she has lent her voice to over 275 anime including: Air (Misuzu), Baccano! (Chane), Black Butler (Mei Ren), Certain Magical Index (Index), E.F. a Tale of Memories (Chihiro), Excel Saga (Hyatt), Fairy Tail (Mirajane), Full Metal Panic! (Kyoko), Hetalia (Flying Mint Bunny/Belarus), High School of the Dead (Shizuka), Mass Effect: Paragon Lost (Treeya), Negima (Konoka/Kazumi/Satsuki), One Piece (Tashigi/Carue/Kuina), Ouran Host Club (Renge), Noir (Kirika), Panty and Stocking (Stocking), Princess Jellyfish (Mayaya), Sergeant Frog (Momoka), Shinchan (Ai), Tsubasa (Sakura), Witchblade (Maria) and many more.

She can be heard on the Cartoon Network in Deadman Wonderland (Shiro), Casshern Sins (Ringo), Soul Eater (Tsubaki) and FMA Brotherhood (May Chang). You can also catch her on Nicktoons and the CW as Bulma in Dragonball Z Kai. She has also appeared in several video games including Ms. ‘Splosion Man, Comic jumper and Borderlands 2.

Rachel Robinson’s voice spans the arenas of national commercials, animation, video games, narration and now, most recently, anime. She is likely best known for her indelible role as Oerba Yun Fang, of Final Fantasy XIII, reprising it in Final Fantasy XIII-2. She has recently voiced two diabolical and soulless villainesses: the tattooed, chainsmoking Nazi vampire Zorin Blitz in Hellsing Ultimate and Empress Megaria, Lord of the Darkness Realm, in Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters.

She is proud to announce playing the lead role in the upcoming Q.U.B.E.: Director’s Cut, due out soon this year, and a major role in the upcoming DLC of Guild Wars 2. She has roles in many other games coming out this year, none of which she’s allowed to speak of.

Previously announced guests were Chris Ayres, Greg Ayres, Lauren Landa, Cherami Leigh, IBI, Tomohiko Ito, Shinichiro Kashiwada, Yasuhiro Koshi, David Matranga, ORIGA, Bryce Papenbrook, Raj Ramayya, Stephanie Sheh, Tom Wayland, Kari Wahlgren, Shinichi Watanabe (aka Nabeshin), and Yousei Teikoku.

About Anime Boston: With more than 22,000 attendees in 2012, Anime Boston is an annual three-day Japanese animation convention held in Boston, Mass. Anime Boston 2013 is scheduled for Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 24 at the Hynes Convention Center and Sheraton Boston Hotel. More information about Anime Boston can be found at www.animeboston.com.

About New England Anime Society: The New England Anime Society was founded in 2001. Based in Massachusetts, The New England Anime Society, Inc. is an organization dedicated to furthering public education and understanding of the Japanese language and culture through visual and written media. More information about The New England Anime Society is available at www.neanime.org.

Florida Supercon Team Announces Launch of Animate! Miami for January 2013

Press Release:

ANIMATE! MIAMI ANNOUNCED FOR JANUARY 18 – 20, 2013

3 day Anime, Animation and Cosplay Festival in Miami, FL.
www.animatemiami.com

Miami, FL – Animate! Miami is a NEW convention dedicated to Anime, Animation and Cosplay set for January 18 – 20, 2013 at the Miami Airport Convention Center. Animate! Miami is a 3 day festival that will feature celebrity guests, artists, writers, filmmakers, bands, vendors and exhibitors, as well as hundreds of events, including: celebrity Q&A’s, costume contests, cosplay photo shoots, industry panels, live music, video games and much more! Animate! Miami is organized by the same team that puts on the massive Florida Supercon in Miami each year, and will serve as a second event for fans to enjoy.

The first five guests have already been confirmed for Animate! Miami, with dozens of celebrity guests are expected to be announced as the event nears. The initial guest list includes:

Monica Rial: Monica has been working in the anime voice over industry for 13 years. As an actress for ADV Films and Funimation Entertainment she has lent her voice to over 250 anime including: High School of the Dead (Shizuka), Soul Eater (Tsubaki), Air TV (Misuzu), Azumanga Daioh (Nyamo), Baccano! (Chane), Black Butler (Mei Ren), Black Cat (Kyoko), Burst Angel (Jo), Chrome Shelled Regios (Felli), Chrono Crusade (Fiore), Claymore (Miria), DN Angel (Towa), D. Gray-man (Lero/Lulu Bell), E.F. a Tale of Memories (Chihiro), Excel Saga (Hyatt), Fairy Tail (Mirajane), Full Metal Panic (Kyoko), Ghost Stories (Momoko), Gunslinger Girl (Angelica), Hetalia (Flying Mint Bunny/ Belarus), Kurau Phantom Memory (Kurau), Moon Phase (Hazuki), Negima (Konoka/Kazumi/Satsuki), Noir (Kirika), One Piece (Tashigi/Carue/Kuina), Ouran Host Club (Renge), Princess Jellyfish (Mayaya), Rahxephon (Haruka), School Sergeant Frog (Momoka), Shuffle! (Asa), Speed Grapher (Kagura), Spiral (Rio), Tsubasa Chronicles (Sakura), Witchblade (Maria) and many more. She can be heard on the Cartoon Network in Shinchan (Ai), Fullmetal Alchemist (Lyra/Dante), Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood (May Chang), Case Closed (Amy) and Trinity Blood (Vanessa). You can also catch her on Nicktoons and the CW as Bulma in Dragonball Z Kai. She is also an ADR script adaptor and occasionally a director for Funimation Entertainment.

Brittney Karbowski: Brittney is an Anime Voice Actress for many Funimation and ADV releases including: Soul Eater (Blackstar), Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Selim Bradley/Pride), Xenosaga (M.O.M.O.), Pani Poni Dash! (Himeko), Coyote Ragtime Show (Franca), Kanon (Ayu Tsukimiya), Yumeria (Mone), Godanner (Momoko), Gilgamesh (Fuko), Ouran High School Host Club (Hinako), Negima!? (Anya), Sasami: Magical Girls Club (Anri Misugi), Air Gear (Reng Fa), One Piece (Apis), Le Chevalier D’Eon (Anna Rochefort), Claymore (Riful), Hell Girl (Minami Shibuya) and more! Brittney is more than just a voice actor, and can be seen in the feature films Up & Down, Puncture (co-starring with Chris Evans) and Code of Evil.

John Swasey: According to Anime News Network, John Swasey is the most prolific male voice actor in North America with more roles and titles under his belt than any other male voice actor. John has voiced hundreds of shows and characters with ADV Films, Funimation, Sentai Films, Gearbox, and Illumitoons just to name a few. Being more of the character actor type has given John the freedom to voice bazillions of characters such as Gendo in Evangelion, the Captain in Halo (VG), Lord Death in Soul Eater, Hoenheim in Fullmetal Alchemist, Sir Crocodile in One Piece, Salvador in Borderland II (VG), Kogoro in Sgt. Frog, Huang in Darker than Black, Vulcan in Orphen, Ken in Kaleido Star, Captain Ahab in Hakugei The Legend of Moby Dick, Rikudoh in RahXephon, Mister in Coyote Ragtime Show, as well as roles in the live action films 2009 Lost Memories, Conduct Zero, Yesterday, Jungle Juice, and the Gamera trilogy. In 2004, John jumped to the other side of the “mic” to direct. Some of the shows he has directed include Welcome to the N.H.K., AirGear, Wandaba Style, St. Seiya, Shadow Skill, E’s Otherwise, Michel, Jinki Extend and Shinobi.

Maggie Flecknoe: Maggie is a voice, stage, film and television actress, writer, producer, and host of the nationally syndicated television segment “The Online Dish” for Tribune and The CW Affiliate KIAH-TV Ch. 39. Maggie is best known to Anime fans for her roles in High School of the Dead (Saya Takagi), Clanned (Yukine Miyazama), Samurai Girls (Hanzo Hattori), Pani Poni Dash (Ichijo), Best Student Council (Mami Aoki), Broken Blade (Lee), Comic Party Revolution (Sawada), Demon King Daimao (Korone), Devil May Cry (Cindy), Ghost Hound (Aya Komagusu), Heaven’s Memo Pad (Miku Kimura), ICE (Aoi), Kanon (Shiori Misaka), Kiba (Aisha), Legends of the Dark King (Isabella), Needless (Aruka Schild, Seto), Night Raid 1931 (Lili, Shunyo Akitsuki), Pani Poni Dash! (Ichijo), Project Blue Earth SOS (Maggie), Red Garden (Rachel Benning), Shattered Angels (Setsuna), Tokyo Majin (Hinano Oribe, Sera Rikudo), The World God Only Knows (Kusunoki Kasuga, Miss Nikido), Venus Versus Virus (Risa) and Xam’d Lost Memories (Prois Sukakki) to name a few. When she’s not acting, Maggie is broadcasting. She was an entertainment reporter and traffic anchor for 790 “The Sports Animal” and a reporter and producer for News Radio 740 KTRH.

Mark X Laskowski: Mark has appeared in numerous anime series over the past sixteen years. Mark has recently starred as Kōta Hirano in High School of the Dead and in Clanned After Story as Tajima. His other vast credits include: Air Gear (Issa “Buccha” Mihotoke), Angel Beats! (Igarashi), Angelic Layer (Masaharu Ogata), Area 88 (Bucksy), The Book of Bantorra (Relia Bookwat), Coicent (Yellow Brother), Comic Party Revolution (Yosshi), Cyber Team in Akihabara, Diamond Daydreams, Excel Saga (Norikuni Iwata), Ghost Hound (Eiichi Ooya, Hiroshi Furusawa), Gintama: The Movie (Shinpachi Shimura), Godannar (Morimoto), The Guin Saga, Guyver: The Bio-Boosted Armor (Elegen), Halo Legends (Teenage Boy, Marine), Intrigue in the Bakumatsu, Kiba (Stonos, Xeed), Kurau Phantom Memory, Legends of the Dark Kings (Juza, Hucker), Martian Successor Nadesico, Nerima Daikon Brothers, Night Raid 1931, Noir, Papuwa (Nagoya Willow, Great Man-God, Blue Scat Mouse), Pumpkin Scissors (Paulo), RahXephon, Sister Princess, The Super Dimension Fortress Macross (Warera Nantes), UFO Ultramaiden Valkyrie, Xam’d Lost Memories and more!

Some of the amazing events planned for Animate! Miami include:

• Q&A’s with all of our attending guests
• Fan panels for anime, animation, cosplay and video games.
• Industry panels for anime and animation.
• Costume Competition with over $1,500 in cash and prizes
• Dozens of Cosplay Photo Shoots for cosplayers and photographers
• Supercon Championship Wrestling featuring Cobra Commander, The Joker, The Mario Bros., The Geico Caveman and more!
• Live Musical Performances
• Live Stand Up Comedy
• Anime Screenings and Anime Music Videos
• Video Game Tournaments
• A 50,000 square feet exhibition room with over 200 booths and tables featuring vendors, celebrity guests, artists, filmmakers and exhibits.

Complete information and up to the minute updates can be found at www.animatemiami.com and www.facebook.com/animatemiami

The convention hours of operation are:
Friday, January 18: 2:00pm – 3:00am
Saturday, January 19: 11:00am – 3:00am
Sunday, January 20: 11:00am – 3:00am
THE MIAMI AIRPORT CONVENTION CENTER is located at 711 NW 72nd Ave, Miami, FL 33126

Soul Eater English Cast to Appear at NY Anime Festival

SOUL EATER ENGLISH CAST TO APPEAR AT NY ANIME FESTIVAL

Supernatural Anime Series Receives English-Language Debut In NYC

Norwalk, CT, September 3, 2009: The New York Anime Festival (NYAF) today announced the main cast of FUNimation Entertainment’s upcoming supernatural anime series Soul Eater — Laura Bailey, Micah Solusod, Brittney Karbowski, Monica Rial, Todd Haberkorn, Jamie Marchi, and Cherami Leigh — will appear together for the first time at this September’s NYAF, and this cast appearance will serve as the pinnacle of a weekend of Soul Eater activities, including the English language premiere of the series. The cast along with Soul Eater Director Zach Bolton and Producer Masazumi Kato will join Yoshiyuki Tomino — the Director of Mobile Suit Gundam — and Yui Makino — the voice of Sakura in Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle — as guests at NYAF. Other than Soul Eater, NYAF premieres include Gurren Lagann: The Movie – Childhood’s End, Cencoroll, and 20th Century Boys.

Soul Eater, based on a manga by Atsushi Ohkubo, follows Maka, Black Star, and Death The Kid, three students determined to turn their partners — living weapons — into powerful death scythes, weapons fit for Death himself. Charged with the task of collecting and devouring the tainted souls of ninety-nine humans and one witch, Maka and her fellow meisters strive to master their weapons as they face off against the bizarre and dangerous minions of the underworld. Laura Bailey stars as the voice of Maka, Micah Solusod portrays Soul, Brittney Karbowski plays Black Star, Monica Rial is Tsubaki, Todd Haberkorn voices Death The Kid, Jamie Marchi is Liz, and Cherami Leigh voices Patty.

Producer Masazumi Kato will be coming all the way from Japan, where he’s been in charge of the overall promotion for Soul Eater, including advertisements, publicity, and DVDs.

“We’re honored to partner with our friends at FUNimation to bring the main cast of Soul Eater to NYAF,” New York Anime Festival Show Manager Lance Fensterman said. “Soul Eater will be one of the biggest titles of 2010, and we’re excited to give it the launch it deserves in NYC!”

“The premiere of Soul Eater on a stage as big as New York City? Now, that’s cool,” Soul Eater ADR Director Zach Bolton said.

NYAF’s Soul Eater activity schedule follows…

Yen Plus Giveaway

Be one of the first 200 fans to come by the FUNimation booth any day of the show to take home a free copy of the latest issue of Yen Press’s Yen Plus magazine. Yen Press is the US publisher of the Soul Eater manga, and Soul Eater is serialized each month inside Yen Plus.

Friday – 1:00 PM – FUNimation Booth (303)

Saturday and Sunday – 10:00 AM – FUNimation Booth (303)

Cast Signing

Meet Laura Bailey (Maka), Micah Solusod (Soul), Brittney Karbowski (Black Star), Monica Rial (Tsubaki), Todd Haberkorn (Death The Kid), Jamie Marchi (Liz), Cherami Leigh (Patty), and Director Zach Bolton at a special signing at the FUNimation Booth!

Friday – 4:00 to 5:30 PM – FUNimation Booth (303)

Saturday – 3:30 to 5:00 PM – FUNimation Booth (303)

Chalk Mural

Eric Maruscak is an artist who specializes in massive murals drawn in chalk. He’s appeared at New York Comic Con and other conventions around the country, and he’s at NYAF this year creating a giant illustration of Maka, Black Star, and Death The Kid. Check out Eric’s work throughout the show to see Soul Eater larger than life!

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – All Day – Front of Exhibit Hall

Soul Eater Panel and Screening

Laura Bailey (Maka), Micah Solusod (Soul), Brittney Karbowski (Black Star), Monica Rial (Tsubaki), Todd Haberkorn (Death The Kid), Jamie Marchi (Liz), Cherami Leigh (Patty), and Director Zach Bolton along with Producer Masazumi Kato and representatives from both FUNimation and Yen Press present the first three episodes of FUNimation’s Soul Eater! Be one of the first fans to see what’ll be one of 2010’s biggest shows, and get the inside scoop about what’s ahead from the women and men at Soul Eater’s center!

Saturday – 1:00 to 3:00 PM – ANA Theater (1A08 )

Soul Eater Cosplay Meet Up

Come by chalk artist Eric Maruscak’s Soul Eater mural on Sunday at 1 PM for a Soul Eater group photo! FUNimation’s asking all Soul Eater cosplayers to show up to get their pictures taken with Eric’s completed work of art and the American cast of Soul Eater, and, then, stay tuned to funimation.com and newyorkanimefestival.com for the photo once the show’s over!

Sunday – 1:00 PM – Front of Exhibit Hall

For Soul Eater cast bios or to purchase NYAF tickets, please visit the show’s official site (www.nyanimefestival.com). For the latest announcements, please visit NYAF’s official blog (www.mediumatlarge.net) or follow NYAF on Twitter (www.twitter.com/NY_Anime_Fest). For more on Soul Eater, visit the show’s official site (www.funimation.com/souleater).

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 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 more information about FUNimation Entertainment and its brands, visit www.funimation.com.

ABOUT THE NEW YORK ANIME FESTIVAL:

The New York Anime Festival takes place September 25-27, 2009 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan and is organized by Reed Exhibitions, the creators of New York Comic Con. The New York Anime Festival showcases the best of anime pop culture, including the latest anime, manga, Japanese cinema, music, and games, and anime-influenced comics, animation, and films from around the world. The festival features exclusive and extensive screenings, a gala cosplay masquerade, sessions with the some of the biggest names in anime from Japan, Asia, and America, and explores the Japanese cultural experience with displays of both traditional and cutting-edge Japanese life. Further information can be found at newyorkanimefestival.com.

ABOUT REED EXHIBITIONS POP CULTURE GROUP:

The Pop Culture Group at Reed Exhibitions owns and operates the New York Comic Con (NYCC), the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), and the New York Anime Festival (NYAF). New York Comic Con was launched in 2006 and quickly became a dominant presence in the pop culture world of public events. In 2009, 452 companies exhibited at NYCC for a total of 84,000 square feet of paid exhibit space, and it has been ranked by Crain’s New York Business as the second-largest annual event in NYC. C2E2, which will debut April 16 – 18 at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center, is modeled after NYCC and will provide fans the opportunity to meet and greet their favorite writers, creators, and artists, as well as to see, hear and learn about the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and television. The Pop Culture Group also operates the recently-launched UFC Fan Expo in partnership with the UFC – the world’s leading professional mixed martial arts organization – and it formed a strategic partnership with Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) in 2008 and will work closely with PAX on the launch of PAX East in Boston in 2010.

Fan Expo Canada Announces Full Celebrity Guest List

Press Release:

Fan-demonium to Reach an All-Time High at 15^th Annual Fan Expo Canada 2009

Leonard Nimoy, Linda Hamilton, Lou Ferrigno, and Bruce Campbell among the star-studded line-up at this year’s event

July 9, 2009, Toronto, ON – Expect to see a surge of Vulcans, Storm Troopers, Zombies, Dragonballers and other strange and wonderful characters across the city as Toronto hosts the largest combined gaming, horror, comic, science fiction and anime event in the country. The 15^th annual Fan Expo Canada takes place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building on August 28-30, 2009.

Owned and operated by Hobby Star Marketing, Fan Expo Canada offers fans of every genre the chance to meet their favourite celebrities and pop culture heroes at autograph and photo sessions; participate in informational workshops with industry experts offering advice, tips and portfolio reviews; and shop for exclusive Fan Expo offers, collectables and memorabilia from more than 600 vendors.

“By offering unique experiences and opportunities to interact with icons, industry leaders, and other enthusiastic fans, Fan Expo delivers a signature event in Canada that satisfies fans’ cravings like no other,” says Aman Gupta, President of Hobby Star Marketing. “For the past 15 years Fan Expo Canada has been the only event to bring this level of fandom to Toronto and Fan Expo Canada 2009 will bring even more to visitors than ever before with incredible limited edition offers, the widest range of industry merchandise available, and appearances by genre demi-gods.”

Hobby Star Marketing Inc. was founded in 1992 and has quickly become one of Canada’s premiere sports and entertainment marketing companies. Since its inception, Hobby Star Marketing has secured a niche in the industry by specializing in professional sport and entertainment celebrity placement at a variety of venues and events.

SPECIAL CELEBRITY GUESTS:

SFX Science Fiction Expo, in association with SPACE – the official National Cable Broadcast Sponsor, guest list:

• LEONARD NIMOY – The legendary Mr. Spock of Star Trek
• LINDA HAMILTON – Sarah Connor celebrating the 25th Anniversary of The Terminator
• BILLY DEE WILLIAMS – Lando Calrissian of the Star Wars feature films
• BEAU BRIDGES – Major General Hank Landry of Stargate SG-1
• THOMAS DEKKER – John Connor of Terminator: the Sarah Connor Chronicles
• MARY MCDONNELL – President Laura Roslin of Battlestar Galactica
• JAMES KYSON LEE – Ando of Heroes
• AVERY BROOKS – Captain Benjamin Sisko of Star Trek Deep Space Nine
• WALTER KOENIG – Pavel Chekov of Star Trek
• ROBERT DUNCAN MCNEILL – Tom Paris of Star Trek Voyager
• LOU FERRIGNO – The Incredible Hulk
• DAVE THOMAS – Doug of Bob and Doug McKenzie brothers
• LARRY THOMAS – Seinfeld’s “Soup Nazi”
• TONY CURTIS – Legendary actor and Hollywood Icon

The Comic Book Expo guest list:

• JOE QUESADA – Editor In Chief Marvel Comics
• DAN DIDIO – Senior VP DC Comics
• CHRIS BACHALO – Legendary Artist
• MIKE DEODATO JR.- Artist Dark Avengers
• ETHAN VAN SCIVER – Artist of Flash Rebirth
• J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI – Award winning writer
• STEVE MCNIVEN – Artist of Wolverine
• IVAN REIS – Artist of Green Lantern & The Blackest Night – Rare appearance!
• TERRY DODSON – Artist of Uncanny X-Men
• DAVID FINCH – Artist of Ultimatum
• OLIVIER COIPEL – Artist of Thor
• MATT FRACTION – Writer of Uncanny X-Men and Invincible Ironman
• MARKO DJURDJEVIC – Acclaimed Marvel Cover Artist & Thor
• LEN WEIN – Legendary Creator of Wolverine & Swamp Thing
• DARWYN COOKE – Artist of DC The New Frontier
• DALE EAGLESHAM – Artist of upcoming Fantastic Four
• BILL SIENKIEWICZ – Legendary Artist
• STUART IMMONNEN – Artist of New Avengers
• GEORGES JEANTY – Artist of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
• RICHARD ISANOVE – Artist of Stephen King’s Dark Tower
• MIKE CHOI – Artist of X-Force
• DOUG SNEYD – Legendary Playboy Cartoonist

The Festival of Fear Horror Expo, sponsored by Rue Morgue Magazine, guest list:

• BRUCE CAMPBELL – Legendary Film Actor
• ROGER CORMAN – Legendary Director
• UDO KEIR – Acclaimed Actor
• BARBARA STEELE – Emmy Award-Winning Actress
• TOM SAVINI – FX Master and Actor
• ROBERT HALL – Award winning make up artist
• JAMES DUVAL – Acclaimed Horror Film Actor
• MAX BROOKS – Author Of The Zombie Survival Guide
• ART HINDLE – Acclaimed actor
• KELLEY ARMSTRONG – Best Selling Horror Author
• JACK KETCHUM – Best Selling Horror Author
• LLOYD KAUFMAN – Producer – Toxic Avenger

The CNAnime Expo celebrity guest list:

• SCOTT MCNEIL – voice star of Mobile Suit Gundam, Dragonball Z
• CRISPIN FREEMAN – voice star of Naruto, Eureka Seven, Ghost In the Shell
• BRAD SWAILE – voice star of Death Note, Mobile Suit Gundam
• AARON DISMUKE – voice star of Fullmetal Alchemist, Trinity Blood
• COLLEEN CLINKENBEARD – voice star of Fullmetal Alchemist, Trinity Blood
• MONICA RIAL – voice star of Kiddy Grade, Noir, Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE
• BRINA PALENCIA – voice star of Claymore, Romeo A Juliet
• DEREK STEPHEN PRINCE – voice star of Bleach, Digimon

The GX – Gaming Expo, sponsored by Zellers & G4 Tech TV, celebrity guest list:

• STEVE DOWNES – Voice of Master Chief in the HALO video game series
• VICTOR LUCAS – Creator / Producer / Host of Electric Playground
• ED GREENWOOD – Creator / Author of Forgotten Realms
• JESS HARTLEY – Editor / Developer of White Wolf Publishing
• PIETER VAN HIEL – Role playing game Author of Sanguine Productions
• JONATHAN LAVALLEE – President of Firestorm Ink gaming publisher
• C.A. SULEIMAN – Director of Development CM Publishing
• MALCOLM SHEPPARD – Role playing game Author of White Wolf

Gaming fans will have the opportunity to take part in dozens of official tournaments, play new games, win prizes, meet with industry experts, attend seminars and view upcoming products.

Additional Highlights:

• Canada’s largest Masquerade Costume Contest on Saturday, Aug. 29
• Industry Professional workshops for the public
• Millions of dollars of collectibles and memorabilia for sale
• Celebrity Q&A’s plus autograph and photo opportunities
• More than 600 commercial exhibitors and retailers offering a full range of pop culture and entertainment themed merchandise including comic books, toys, collectibles, games, videos, and more!
• Tons of costumed characters from your favourite TV shows & movies
• Introducing a reusable shopping tote, made from 100% recycled materials and designed specifically for fans to take their goodies home
• Exclusive show merchandise including:
  • MEGAN FOX photo cover variant for issue one TRANSFORMERS: TALES OF THE FALLEN comic book – Limited to only 1000 copies
  • STAR TREK: NERO comic, issue number one, “Spock Variant” edition – Limited to 1000 copies
  • ULTIMATE AVENGERS comic #1, “Sketch cover variant” edition (Limited to 1500 copies)
  • GREEN LANTERN: BLACKEST NIGHT Art Lithograph (Limited to 1500 copies) free and only available when you purchase a Fan Expo Premium Package

Stay tuned to www.fanexpocanada.com for more additions to this exciting line-up…

SHOW DETAILS:

WHEN: AUGUST 28 – 30, 2009

Friday, August 28^th 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 29^th 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 30^th 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building

222 Bremner Blvd. Toronto, Ontario

TICKETS: Basic Adult Day Pass $25.00

Kids under 12 years old are FREE when accompanied by an adult

See website for further details

SPECIAL EVENT TICKETS: Some celebrity presentations are specially ticketed events – for dates, times and prices, please call Ticketmaster (416) 872-7777 or visit www.fanexpocanada.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT www.fanexpocanada.com