May 5, 2009
News for Anime Expo 2009:
Anime Expo announces Kari Wahlgren as an American guest of honor
Anaheim, California (May 5, 2009) -- Anime Expo® is proud to announce Ms. Kari Wahlfren as an official Guest of Honor of the nation's largest anime and manga convention held July 2-5, 2009 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. More information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org.
Ms. Wahlgren has entertained millions of anime audiences. First as the Vespa-riding, guitar-bashing Haruko in FLCL. Since then, she has played a number of significant anime roles including Kagami in LUCKY STAR, Saya in BLOOD+, Robin in WITCH HUNTER ROBIN, Fuu in SAMURAI CHAMPLOO, Cher in WOLF'S RAIN, Lavie in LAST EXILE, Anemone in EUREKA 7, Pacifica in SCRAPPED PRINCESS, Satomi and Luca the Cat in IGPX: IMMORTAL GRAND PRIX, and Tayuya in NARUTO. Ms. Wahlgren also provided the voice of Ariel in the movie "Robotech: the Shadow Chronicles," Scarlett in the anime feature "Steamboy," and the Princess in the movie "Naruto: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow."
Ms. Wahlgren has also done voicework for a number of video games including Prince of Persia, Final Fantasy: Dirge of Cerebus, Dead or Alive Extreme 2, Spiderman II, Justice League Heroes and James Bond: From Russia with Love. Other games that Ms. Wahlgren worked on include Tales from Symphonia, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, Tekken 5, Command and Conquer III, Star Wars: the Force Unleashed, Star Wars: Empire at War, Star Wars Episode III: Return of the Sith, Armored Core IV, Guild Wars III and IV, Transformers, and all three games in the Xenosaga series.
Ms. Wahlgren is also active in original animation; she plays Emma Frost in the animated "Wolverine and the X-Men" series, she provided the voices of Li'l Condi and Li'l Hillary on season 2 of Comedy Central's "Li'l Bush" and was Saturn Girl, Triplicate Girl/ Duo Damsel and Shrinking Violet on the Kids WB's "Legion of Superheroes." Ms. Wahlgren also voices the role of Jeera on Nickelodeon's "Tak and the Power of Juju" and played Nova, the Yellow Monkey, in "Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!" Ms. Wahlgren has appeared on Ben 10, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, Kim Possible, Disney's feature films "BOLT" and "The Little Mermaid III" and Dreamwork's "Shrek III."
Ms. Wahlgren joins Daisuke Ishiwatari, Toshimichi Mori and Morning Musume as official Anime Expo® 2009 Guests of Honor.
Attendees, Press and Industry Members are also encouraged to view the video coverage site of the 2008 convention at www.AXBackstage.org.
Red & Black Sponsors include: FUNimation, Silver Sponsors include: Anime News Network and Digital Manga Press, Patron Sponsors include: COPIC, Central Park Media and The Right Stuf, Media Sponsors include: ImaginAsian TV, Animation Magazine, Anime Insider Magazine and Anime News Network.
About Anime Expo®
Located in Los Angeles, California - Anime Expo®, the nation's largest anime/manga convention, serves to foster trade, commerce and the interests of the general public and animation/ comics industry. This event serves as a key meeting place for the general public to express their interest and explore various aspects of anime/manga, as well as for members of the industry to conduct business. AX 2009 will be held July 2 - July 5, 2009 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Southern California. More information can be found at its website (www.anime-expo.org).
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).
The statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. The Company cautions readers of this press release that a number of important factors could cause Anime Expo®/SPJA's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation, product delays, industry competition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, vendors and third-party developers, international economic and political conditions. The Company may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in the Company's assumptions or otherwise. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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