BenC Archive at Anime Expo® [AX] 2008

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Anime Expo® 2008 Announces 2nd Main Event Concert and Guest of Honor

Published by BenC on April 15, 2008 in Anime Expo, Guests of Honor and Press Release. Closed

Dynamic Musical Duo Attends the Nation’s Largest Anime/Manga Convention

Anaheim, California (April 15, 2008) —Anime Expo® 2008 is proud to announce the attendance of Jyukai-the musical duo consisting of Manami (vocals) and Dewa Yoshiaki (composition) to this year’s Anime Expo® 2008 held from July 3-6, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. More information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org.

Jyukai, formed in the summer of 2004 and began performing live around Osaka. On March 15th, 2006, they had their TV anime debut with the ending theme for “Fate/Stay Night.” Their song, “Anata ga Ita Mori” (The Forest in Which You Were), ranked 16th on the March 27th Oricon Chart in its first week of release. Since then they have released songs for various anime and movies including the opening song for “Ah! My Goddess: Flights of Fancy,” the ending theme for “Buso Renkin,” and the opening theme for the live action movie "Shin - Onna Tachigui Retsuden" directed by Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell: Innocence). Last fall they released "Ai no Hoshi" (Love Star) and "Hanamuke no Melody" (Farewell Melody) as well as a cover of the opening and ending themes for "Ah! My Goddess: Fighting Wings," a special commemorative program for the 20th anniversary of "Ah! My Goddess." They recently released their second album, "Harvest," on December 12, 2007. Their album has received favorable reviews for having such high quality songs.

Jyukai’s songs are usually composed and arranged by Dewa, while the lyrics are written and sung by Manami. With his policy "never forget the pop parts in any song," Dewa creates delicate music with a sense of sorrow. His songs are easy to listen to and fascinate people time and time again. Manami’s lyrics possess their own realistic and unique vision, often unlocking stories and memories deep within everyone’s heart. Manami’s emotional vocals strike a chord in the hearts of the listeners, touching them deeply.

Jyukai joins legendary American voice actor David Hayter, famed POKEMON director Masamitsu Hidaka and the new Japanese “It-Girl” Shokotan in Anime Expo® 2008’s amazing line up of Guests of Honor.

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. Gold Sponsor is Digital Manga Publishing. Silver Sponsor is Gaia Online. Patron Sponsors are Central Park Media and COPIC Markers.

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Anime Expo® 2008 Announces Free Shuttle Service to the Los Angeles Convention Center

Published by BenC on April 10, 2008 in Anime Expo and Press Release. Closed

24 Hour Complimentary Shuttle Service for Hotel Attendees

Anaheim, California (April 10, 2008) — Attendees registered as guests within the official Anime Expo® 2008 Hotel Room Blocks will be able to access the 24-hour complimentary shuttle service which will provide transportation from all official convention hotels to this year’s Anime Expo® 2008 held from July 3-6, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. More information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org.

Shuttle service is provided between the Los Angeles Convention Center and the following hotels:

Kawada Hotel Los Angeles
Hilton Checkers Hotel
Los Angeles Athletic Club
Los Angeles Marriott
Millennium Biltmore
Omni Hotel Los Angeles
Sheraton
Westin Bonaventure
Wilshire Grand

Shuttle information signs, including scheduled hours of operation, will be posted in the lobby of each shuttle hotel. Hotel attendees will be able to enjoy this convenience with free shuttle services arriving at their hotels every 7-12 minutes during peak hours of operation. Only official Anime Expo® 2008 hotel attendees will have access to this free Anime Expo® 2008 service. All shuttle bus riders will be required to present their badges for identification as official hotel guests (all Anime Expo® 2008 hotel attendee badges will have markers identifying them as hotel guests).

Please note: 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 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.

Attendees, Press and Industry Members are also encouraged to view the video coverage site of the 2007 convention at www.AXBackstage.org.

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Anime Expo® 2008 Announces Online Ticketing for Main Events

Published by BenC on April 7, 2008 in Anime Expo and Press Release. Closed

Regular, Hotel Room Block and Reserved Seating Block Attendee Tickets Available Now

Anaheim, California (April 7, 2008) — Traditional Main Events (including Opening/Closing Ceremonies, Masquerade, Anime Music Video Contest, AX Idol, Charity Auction and concerts) are all accessible free of charge to registered attendees at this year’s Anime Expo® 2008 held from July 3-6, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. More information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org.

All Main Events will be held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live (Past, current and future events include the Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, American Idol Finals and a host of concerts including Mary J. Blige, John Fogerty, Kanye West, Duran Duran and many more) a 7,100-seat venue which offers attendees event intimacy with no seat further from the stage than 220 feet with exceptional comfort and amenities never before offered to guests at other concert/event venues. Due to Nokia Theatre L.A. Live policies, high attendee interest and limited seating, all Main Events will be require tickets for entrance. Tickets will be handed out to attendees during a set time frame each day with each individual ticket applicable towards one event in the venue. Attendees will have the opportunity to pick up tickets to multiple shows based on availability.

There are three ways to obtain tickets:

Reserve a hotel room within the Anime Expo® hotel room block through our online hotel reservation service (www.anime-expo.org) by Sunday, June 15, 2008, 11:59 PM, PDT and obtain one (1) guaranteed event ticket of choice per registered guest (up to a maximum of four (4) tickets per room), based on availability
Purchase a Reserved Seating ticket ($20.00 U.S.) for the desired event(s) (events only include Masquerade and Concert Events) before Sunday, June 15, 2008, 11:59 PM, PDT. Reserved Seating tickets are considered prime seats within the “floor”/orchestra area and allow attendees to be up close to the event stage for maximum viewing pleasure. Attendees are limited to one (1) ticket per event per unique registration ID for a maximum of three (3) unique tickets
Line up in the Standby Line at the east entrance of the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live three (3) hours before show time on the day of the desired event. The number of tickets given out is based on availability. Please note that queuing for tickets at this time does not guarantee entrance into the event

Attendees that have already pre-registered can update their information and add on their tickets via the Anime Expo® 2008 Online Registration Area at www.anime-expo.org.

In addition, one lucky AX Idol audience member will win a tour package to Japan! Courtesy of Destination-Japan! Tour package includes round-trip airfare from L.A. International Airport (LAX) to Narita (NRT), Tokyo (Airline TBD), Hotel accommodations during the tour (Hotel TBD), all tax and fuel surcharges and all standard tour activities and services detailed on the tour itinerary (TBD). All trip/tour prizes do not include tour extensions, optional tour activities, or transportation to Los Angeles International Airport. Winner will be announced during AX Idol and will be based upon ticket/seat number (winner must be present and ticket MUST be in hand and presented or prize is forfeit).

More information regarding tickets (i.e. pick up procedures, “faqs”, open distribution, etc.) can be found online at www.anime-expo.org. Attendees with special needs must inquire about seats with our Disabled Services Coordinators located at the Anime Expo® Information Desk located at the Registration Area (West Hall A). Please note that there are a limited number of handicapped spaces available in the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live. Space is limited, and tickets will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. Tickets for these sections cannot be obtained through the Box Office or through the open distribution process.

All registered attendees to Anime Expo® 2008 with valid badges, with the exception of “Exhibit Hall only” passes are eligible to obtain tickets to attend ticketed events. Tickets are non-transferable. Attendees will not be allowed to apply their Room Block ticket and a Reserved Seating ticket on the same event. Lost or stolen tickets can/will not be replaced. All attendees are subject to the Code of Conduct and are expected to adhere to the policies set for the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live. Unlawful resale (or attempt) is grounds for seizure and cancellation without compensation. Any person caught buying or selling any Anime Expo® event tickets will face immediate ejection from the event and a ban of one year (minimum) from the convention, effective immediately.

Attendees, Press and Industry Members are also encouraged to view the video coverage site of the 2007 convention at www.AXBackstage.org.

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