SPJA and Anime Expo® partner with the JAPAN Animation and Manga College

Anaheim, California (November 24, 2009) — Over the 19 years that the SPJA has been established, the organization has done much for the Anime industry. Many of you know and have attended the SPJA’s Anime Expo® – the largest Anime convention in the United States. The Expo plays an integral role in bringing fans and industry members together to commemorate the love of Anime. However, there is more to the SPJA than its popular convention. As you can read in its Mission Statement, another of the SPJA’s goals is to help secure the future of the Anime industry.

The future of the Anime industry rests largely upon the shoulders of young artists seeking to become professionals in the field. On the heels of this fact, the SPJA is proud to announce a partnership with the JAPAN Animation and Manga College (JAM), an institution that trains over 400 students each year in such areas as animation, illustration and manga production. This Sunday, November 29, 2009, the Lighthouse Career Encourage U.S.A. is hosting an exhibition in Los Angeles that will feature several of the talented JAM students’ artistry. Click here for more details.

The SPJA has enjoyed great support from the Anime industry, and would be delighted to see the students of JAM be supported as well. Please make time this Sunday to attend the JAPAN Animation and Manga College Special Exhibition. A representative from the SPJA and Anime Expo® will also be in attendance. We hope to see you there!

About the JAPAN Animation and Manga College:

JAPAN Animation and Manga College (JAM) is an institution that trains many young Japanese people to become professionals in fields of animation, illustration, character design, game design and manga production. There are currently about 400 students aiming to achieve their dreams. (http://www.web-jam.jp/index.html)

About Lighthouse Career Encourage U.S.A.:

Lighthouse Career Encourage U.S.A. (LCE) plans and coordinates various kinds of international educational programs targeting students coming from Japan. Our mission is to provide as many opportunities as possible for students in Japan to experience a number of cultural, educational and professional experiences so that they could develop their potential and someday see fruitful results in the future. (http://www.lce-edu.com/english/index.html)

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).

About Anime Expo®

Located in Los Angeles, California – Anime Expo®, the nation’s largest anime and manga convention, serves to foster trade, commerce and the interests of the general public and animation industry. This event serves as a key meeting place for the general public to express their interest and explore various aspects of both anime and manga, as well as for members of the industry to conduct business. AX 2010 will be held July 1 – July 4, 2010 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Southern California. More information can be found at its website (www.anime-expo.org).