Hey everyone! This week on Anime Update we’ve got AM2 convention guest announcements and information about a new charity manga series that you can pick up to benefit the Japanese Red Cross.
First up: Convention AM2, held in Anaheim, California, has just announced two very special guests will be attending this year from July 1st – 3rd. Akihiko Yamashita and Miho Shimogasa will be the guests of honor at what is one of the most anticipated anime, manga and music conventions on the West Coast!
Akihiko Yamashita is known for his outstanding work on the character design for Giant Robo: The Animation – The Day the Earth Stood Still and Zegapain. His first directorial work was at the world famous Studio Ghibli where he directed Chuzumo. Yamashita-san has also directed some of Studio Ghibli’s most famous projects including Howl’s Moving Castle, The Borrower Arrietty, Ponyo, and the latest film from Ghibli – Kokuriko. Check out this stunning trailer for The Borrower Arrietty – one of Yamashita-san’s most recent projects:
A fun side note about Yamashita-san: he has huge admiration for the works of J.J.Abrams and has said he is an avid “Trekker/Trekkie”.
Miho Shimogasa was born in Yokohama and decided to become an animator during her first part-time job as a cell painter (this was while she was still a university student). Upon graduating, Shimogasa-san joined the highly recognized anime studio Artland as an animator. She later became a freelance animator and has worked on such notable titles as Cutey Honey Flash, Kocchi Muite, Miiko, Nightwalker, Gokudo, Gravitation, Psychic Academy, The Prince of Tennis, Ultra Maniac, Powerpuff Girls Z, and Battle Spirits: Shonen Toppa Bashin. Shimogasa-san has served as Animation Director of Sailor Moon Supers, Sailor Moon Sailor Stars, and as assistant director in Galaxy Express 999: Eternal Fantasy.
Shimogasa San with her nekko. Kawaii desu ne!
Fun fact about Shimogasa-san: her name was used to name a twin maid character in Detective Conan.
A pass is not required for general admission to AM2, but those who do purchase a pass will receive many benefits. Attendees can avoid the anticipated huge lines at autographs, premiere screenings, workshops, main events, concerts and panels by purchasing a Passport Fast Pass. This pass will also provide holders with priority seating options at Main Events and at Concerts as well as earning discounts with nearby theme parks, retailers and local restaurants during the event weekend. Activities at the convention will include Exhibit Hall, AMV’s, Arcade, Summer Festival, World Cosplay Summit, Behind the Voice Actors Studio, Rum Party Pirates, Masquerade, Cosplay Chess, Dances, Fashion Shows, Table Top, Console Gaming, AniMaid Café, AniMaid Café Host Club, Workshops, Panels, Concerts and more! Get more information about AM2 over at their website.
Second this week: Viz Manga is now hosting Takehiko Inoue’s Smile: Pray for Japan charity manga series on their Digital Manga App.
Drawn on the iPad with Zen Brush app, the illustrations by master manga creator Takehiko Inoue portray smiling Japanese citizens of all ages. These images reflect a message of hope in the aftermath of the devastating disasters that struck Japan on March 11th. The creator has approved the wide use of these images for fundraising efforts in Japan. The digital compilations available through the VIZ Manga app is the first use of these images for fundraising outside of Japan.
Volumes 1 and 2 are now available and are priced $9.99 and $1.99 respectively. Future volumes will be made available for $1.99. All proceeds will be donated directly to the Japanese Red Cross Society. So, if you’ve been buying manga on your digital device, give this a look and support Japan’s Earthquake recovery! Learn more over at Viz’s website.
For more anime, manga and geek news from Japan and around the world, stay surfing on BSR!