FanCons.ca Press Releases


April 1, 2009

News for Sakura-Con 2009:

Sakura-Con announces two new guests, a special premiere and record member pre-registration

Seattle, WA 3-31-2009- Guests Michael Tatum and Joel McDonald to attend Sakura-Con 2009 in honor of the premiere of Heroic Age. Sakura-Con 2009's membership pre-registration breaks all previous Sakura-Con records- with a near 75% increase!

"Among the ruins of a forgotten planet lies the salvation for the Iron Tribe, also known as humankind. This lost warrior will stand against the tyranny of the Silver Tribe, who proclaimed themselves the new dominant race after the departure of the advanced Golden Tribe.
Humanity's last hope: A wild and unruly hero, 'Age,' and an ancient prophecy." Heroic Age is being premiered at Sakura-Con 2009 by FUNimation Entertainment.

In honor of this event Michael Tatum, who plays "Age" will be attending his first Sakura-Con. Known for his work in One Piece, Ghost Hunt, XXXHolic, Ouran Host Club and more Mr. Tatum has also worked as an ADR director on such titles as Aquarion, Romeo x Juliet and Save Me! Lollipop.

Also attending his first Sakura-Con is Joel McDonald, the ADR director of Heroic Age as well as the character "Iolaous". Mr. McDonald has also done ADR direction on KenIchi the Mightiest Disciple and Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE and voice work in Baccano!, Big Windup!, and more.

Sakura-Con is the first and largest Pacific Northwest convention devoted to Japanese animation (anime), comics (manga), gaming and Japanese contemporary and traditional culture and may just grow even larger this year! Our attendance number-which was expected to be 15,000 members- is unpredictable at this time. Our membership pre-registration is near 9000-almost 75% more than 2008! So while pre-registration has historically been about 40% of our total membership attendance-we are unsure what to expect based on this record breaking pre-registration number. Perhaps more members pre-registered this year than will come to our door? Or perhaps we will actually reach capacity in our venue? We are excited to find out!

ANCEA is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about popular and traditional Japanese media. Sakura-Con is ANCEA's main realization of that mission.

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