FanCons.ca Press Releases


July 2, 2008

News for Anime Expo 2008:

Anime Expo 2008 launches AXBackstage

Nation's Largest Anime and Manga Convention's Offical Online Video Coverage Site Goes Live

Los Angeles, California (July 2, 2008) -- Anime Expo® 2008's official online video coverage site goes live at noon PST on July 2, 2008. Interviews, sneak peeks and exclusive coverage of the nation's largest anime and manga convention, Anime Expo® 2008 (held from July 3-6, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA), to be available on the web at www.axbackstage.org. More information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org.

AXBackstage is the online viewer's backstage pass to all that is Anime Expo®. With exclusive interviews with Guests of Honor at this year's convention as well as convention event coverage will attract attendees that are wishing to see what has gone on during the convention and for non-attendees to see what they are missing.

"AXBackstage is a great medium for our friends and fans that can not join us at this year's convention" states AXBackstage Manager Phil Donnelly. Marketing Assistant Director, Ruby Wang, also states "It's a great way for people to see a bit of what makes this convention so amazing, and for our attendees to relive some of the best moments and memories of AX."

More original videos and unique programming will be available on the AXBackstage site (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 "It-Girl" 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.

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. 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.

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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