April 13, 2009
News for Anime Expo 2009:
Anime Expo announces director, lead artist and designer of BlazBlue as guest
Anaheim, California and Tokyo, Japan (April 13, 2009) — Anime Expo® is proud to announce the attendance of the legendary Kanagawa Prefecture born producer and artist Toshimichi Mori to the nation's largest anime and manga convention held July 2-5, 2009 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. More information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org.
Throughout his career, Mr. Toshimichi Mori has been influenced by many individuals, but only a few have earned his respect, "the person I respect the most would have to be Kojima Yoshio. He has done amazing things for this industry."
When asked how about what inspires him, Mr. Mori states, "A lot of my ideas came from anime and movies, or ideas that I had from when I was in high school. In retrospect, a lot of the ideas I've come up with are kind of embarrassing."
Mr. Mori is currently working on the Aksys Games title BLAZBLUE as its director, lead artist and designer.
Toshimichi Mori joins Morning Musume as official Anime Expo® 2009 Guests of Honor.
Attendees, Press and Industry Members are also encouraged to view the video coverage site of the 2008 convention at www.AXBackstage.org.
Red & Black Sponsors include: FUNimation, Silver Sponsors include: Anime News Network and Digital Manga Press, Patron Sponsors include: COPIC, Central Park Media and The Right Stuf, Media Sponsors include: ImaginAsian TV, Animation Magazine, Anime Insider Magazine and Anime News Network.
About Aksys Games
Based in Torrance, California, Aksys Games is a leading video game publisher with extensive knowledge of localization. Lead by Akibo Shieh and a group of talented professionals, Aksys Games is renowned for its collaborative work with Namco Bandai, XSEED, Atlus USA, Sonic Games, Gaijin Games, and Arc System Works.
The Aksys Games portfolio includes popular work on the DIGIMON® series, the Naruto™ series, and the Jake Hunter series. The company is also responsible for bringing one of the leading fighting game franchises in the world, Guilty Gear, to the United States, and will soon be releasing the much-anticipated fighting game BlazBlue.
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 2009 will be held July 2 – July 5, 2009 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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