FanCons.com Press Releases


March 13, 2003

News for Anime Boston 2003:

RahXephon Character Designer to Attend Anime Boston 2003

From New England Anime Society

Hiroki Kanno Making His First North American Anime Convention Appearance

BOSTON, Mass. - March 13, 2003 - The New England Anime Society is proud to announce that acclaimed anime character designer Hiroki Kanno will be attending Anime Boston 2003 as the Japanese Guest of Honor. Hiroki Kanno's appearance is sponsored by ADV Films.

Mr. Kanno's most notable recent work has been as the animation character designer for the anime series RahXephon. ADV Films will release the first volume of RahXephon on March 25, 2003. This complex, highly anticipated science-fiction title is already receiving rave reviews from critics, who are responding enthusiastically to the tale of Ayato Kamina, his struggles to understand the truth behind an alien invasion, and his crucial role in fighting back as the pilot of the humanoid super weapon RahXephon.

Mr. Kanno's professional history also includes work as the animation character designer for the popular anime series Yu Yu Hakusho and for Yu Yu Hakusho: The Movie. Other notable credits include work as an animator on Cowboy Bebop, as a production director on The Vision of Escaflowne, and as a key animator on Riding Bean and Fushigi Yuugi.

This will be Mr. Kanno's first appearance at a North American anime convention. He will be attending question-and-answer panels throughout the weekend as well as signing autographs for fans.

About Anime Boston:
Anime Boston, held annually in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest Japanese animation convention in New England. The three-day event will be held April 18-20, 2003 at the historic Boston Park Plaza Hotel. Anime Boston 2003's comprehensive programming schedule includes video screenings, a masquerade, game shows, a music video contest, an art show, karaoke, two dances, video games, role-playing games, panels hosted by fans, industry representatives and special guests, and more. Anime Boston 2003 also hosts a sold-out dealers' room where vendors will be selling anime-related merchandise. More information about Anime Boston is available at www.animeboston.com.

About The New England Anime Society:
Founded in 2001, The New England Anime Society Inc. is a Massachusetts-based non-profit organization dedicated to furthering public education and understanding of the Japanese language and culture through visual and written media. More information about The New England Anime Society is available at www.neanime.org.

About ADV Films:
In 1992, ADV Films began to forge the international market for Japanese animation ("anime") by combining unique titles, outstanding production values and efficient large-scale distribution. Today, ADV Films is the #1 producer-distributor of Japanese animation to the North American market, with the firm's holdings including such premier titles as NOIR, Sailor Moon, Samurai X, Hello Kitty's Paradise, RahXephon, Spriggan, Robotech, Full Metal Panic and Neon Genesis Evangelion. In addition, ADV Films' product line has expanded to include other forms of genre programming, including live-action science fiction programs Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda, Mutant X and The Jim Henson Company's Farscape, and classic science fiction such as the updated Gamera trilogy. ADV Films' parent company, A.D. Vision, Inc. also publishes Newtype USA, the premier anime and manga monthly in the English-speaking world, and operates The Anime Network™, broadcasting anime and anime-related programming via digital cable, 24 hours a day. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, USA, with additional offices in the EU and Japan, and distribution on four continents, ADV Films is fast becoming an international entertainment powerhouse. For more information, visit ADV Films on the web at http://www.advfilms.com.

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