For nearly 28 years, Anime Expo has brought together fans and industry professionals from Japan, the United States, and across the world to Los Angeles. As part of our ongoing support of the local community, the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) and host of AX has identified Terasaki Budokan, a Project of Little Tokyo Service Center, as the AX 2019 Charity Auction recipient. Expected to open in spring of 2020, Terasaki Budokan will be a unique gathering place for future generations and act as a bridge, bringing together different communities through sports and events.
A “Home Court for All” Terasaki Budokan, the BIG Gym in Little Tokyo, will be a unique gathering place that will enhance the quality of lives for locals and commuters through its diverse, intergenerational programs. The recreation and sports facilities will fill a huge void for the greater Los Angeles community offering two basketball courts, four volleyball courts and martial arts training/competition space. Terasaki Budokan is currently under construction on Los Angeles Street (between 2nd and 3rd Street).
This year, the Charity Auction will be held at Anime Expo on Sunday, July 7 between 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM in Live Programming 3 (408 AB). The Charity Auction will feature items donated by AX 2019 Guests of Honor, and anime-related vendors and companies that will include signed merchandise, memorabilia, and original artwork. Some of this year’s exclusive auction items include an AX 2019 poster autographed by the Guests of Honor. To see a selection of the auction items for 2019, please visit the Charity Auction display in the Annex @ Kentia Hall from Day 1 to Day 3 at Anime Expo 2019.
“We are thrilled to have Terasaki Budokan being built up the street from our “home” and are inspired by the work that Little Tokyo is doing to support the Japanese American community and the greater Los Angeles area. Anime Expo attendees bidding on Charity Auction items should know that not only are they getting a treasured, one-of-a-kind keepsake, they are contributing to a very worthy organization,” said Ray Chiang, CEO of The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation. “We know with the enthusiastic backing of our dedicated anime community, we will surpass 2018’s fundraising effort.”
For more information about Terasaki Budokan please visit www.terasakibudokan.org.
Past Charity Auction recipients include: Animator’s Dormitory, CHOC, Japan Society’s Earthquake Relief Fund, Global Giving’s Earthquake Relief Fund for Kumamoto, Japan, Japanese American National Museum, CARE and Red Cross International.
Anime Expo 2019 will run from July 4 through July 7 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, with Pre-Show Night on July 3, 2019.
For more information about attending AX, check out our How to Attend guide.
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