FanCons.ca Press Releases


September 8, 2011

News for Nan Desu Kan 2011:

NDK announces Japanese guests and final round of domestic guests

DENVER (Sept. 3, 2011)-Nan Desu Kan (NDK) will welcome Japanese guests Ryusei Nakao and Yutaka Yamamoto, as well as domestic guests Clarine Harp, Jamie Marchi, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Michael Sinterniklaas and Stephanie Sheh, to the 15th anniversary celebration Sept. 9-11, 2011 at the Denver Marriott Tech Center.

California and Japan-based Lemon Drop Kick will continue NDK's Friday night concert tradition.

"NDK is almost here, and we're so excited to welcome everyone to our 15th anniversary," said Amanda Liebermann, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Anime Association, the 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that governs NDK.

Japanese voice actor Nakao is also an actor and singer, known for Dragon Ball Z as Frieza and Cooler, Bleach as Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Saint Seiya as Southern Cross Christ, Icelus and One Piece as Dr. Indigo.

Japanese director, producer and animator Yamamoto founded the Ordet Animation studio and is known for his work on Lucky Star, Kannagi: Crazy Shrine Maidens and Fractale, as well as live action film Watashi no Yasashikunai Sempai (My Unkind Upperclassman). He choreographed the iconic end dance in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.

In addition, Acting Consul General Hiromoto Oyama will greet NDK attendees and begin the convention with a speech at Opening Ceremonies (Friday, 5 p.m., Sept. 9).

NDK is also announcing the third and final round of domestic guests.

"We're mostly wrapping up guest announcements by introducing new faces to Denver, along with a staff favorite we're excited to welcome back," said Liebermann.

Voice actress and DVD/blu-ray producer Clarine Harp is best known for Burst Angel as Sei, Hetalia as China, Samurai 7 as Senae, Speed Grapher as Ginza. She was also the inspiration for the character of Aubrey in web comic Something Positive.

Voice actress, writer and director Jamie Marchi's roles include Witchblade as Masane Amaha, Soul Eater as Liz Thompson, Hetalia as Narrator, Rosario + Vampire as Ms. Nekonome. Her directing credits include Hetalia, Sgt. Frog and Negima!

Voice actress, writer, singer and director Mary Elizabeth McGlynn is often recognized as Motoko Kusanagi in Ghost in the Shell, for which she won the American Anime Award for Best Actress. Oroles include Ah! My Goddess: The Movie as Urd, Final Fanasy XIII as Nora and in Alpha Protocol as Sei. She also directed Naruto, Cowboy Bebop and Wolf's Rain, and sang the music of Akira Yamaoka for Julia X and Silent Hill.

Voice actor and director Michael Sinterniklaas is making his second appearance at NDK. The 17-year industry veteran is currently starring as Dean Venture in The Venture Bros, and directing Sunrise's Mobile Suit Gundam: Unicorn and producing and acting in FUNimation's two new Slayers series as Xellos.

Voice actress, writer and director Stephanie Sheh recently founded group We Heart Japan to assist with tsunami relief. Her key credits include Naruto as Hinata, Bleach as Orhime, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya as Mikuru and Eureka 7 as Eureka. She is currently voicing Yui in K-on! and Audrey in Mobile Suit Gundam: Unicorn.

They'll join already-announced guests Chris Cason, Leah Clark, Todd Haberkorn, Vic Mignogna, Tony Oliver and Patrick Seitz, as well as Robotech's Kevin McKeever, Steve Yun and Tommy Yune.

NDK is Sept. 9-11 at the sold-out Denver Marriott Tech Center. This is the first year an attendance cap will be enforced and paid admission is required to be on hotel grounds. Two official overflow hotels have also sold out. Both weekend and one day passes will be available for sale for $50 and $30, respectively.

ABOUT NAN DESU KAN: Nan Desu Kan (NDK), the largest anime convention in the Rocky Mountain region, provides a diverse mix of numerous cultural panels, musical guests, games, dances, workshops, art showings and auctions, as well as screenings of new and classic anime. Nan Desu Kan is sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Anime Association. NDK 2011 is Sept. 9-11 at the Denver Marriott Tech Center, 4900 S. Syracuse, Denver, CO 80237. Weekend passes are available online or at the door for $50. Beginning in 2011, Nan Desu Kan will institute an attendance cap. For the latest news, visit http://ndkdenver.org.

ABOUT ROCKY MOUNTAIN ANIME ASSOCIATION: The Rocky Mountain Anime Association (RMAA) is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Japanese culture in Colorado. The RMAA sponsors Nan Desu Kan at the Marriott Denver Tech Center and NDK NYE, the New Year's Eve costume ball, at the Denver Renaissance Hotel.

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