Nation's Largest Convention Welcomes Famed Pokemon Director

Anaheim, California (March 12, 2008) ‹ Famed director Masamitsu Hidaka is the first addition to the hottest line up of Anime Expo® 2008 Guests of Honor for the highly anticipated 2008 convention July 3-6, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. More information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org.

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San Francisco, CA (March 10, 2008) -- eigoMANGA and AsianWeek Produces The Anime Street Pavilion At The Fourth Annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration In San Francisco's Japantown.

The Anime Street Pavilion celebrates the otaku (anime fan) culture in the San Francisco Bay Area. Anime fans all over the Bay Area are invited to an exciting day-long programming line-up of live Japanese rock performances, an anime theme runway fashion show featuring original anime clothing lines from Japanese and Bay Area fashion designers, anime cosplay masquerade, as well as additional features from the Fourth Annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration.

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From TH.Yu diary, online diary of artist TH (Tim) Yu, comes a gallery of photos taken at Manhua! China Comics Now, one of the UK's largest festival of Chinese culture launched by CHINA NOW, in order to "explore Manhua - the powerful narrative art form of comics and graphic novels in China."

Main Event Audience Member to Win Trip to Japan

Anaheim, California (March 7, 2008) ‹ Think you got what it takes to be the next AX Idol? Thousands will audition for the most coveted singing and voice acting contest at the nation's largest Anime/Manga convention and win amazing prizes! Anime Expo® 2008 will be 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.

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Torrance, Calif. March 7, 2008 - Celebrating the HARUKA: Beyond the Stream of Time – A Tale of the Eight Guardians Premier and Director Aki Tsunaki's attendance, Bandai Visual USA announces the details of HARUKA related events, activities and show exclusives at Sakura-Con 2008.

Director Tsunaki will be present at the HARUKA events starting with the Industry Reception Dinner on Thursday, March 27. Schedules for HARUKA related events are as follows:

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SAN MATEO, CA, March 5, 2008 -- Yaoi-Con, the premiere Western fan convention dedicated solely to the yaoi genre of Japanese anime and manga, is pleased to announce its eighth annual event, to be held the weekend of September 26-28, 2008 at the Marriott San Mateo-San Francisco Airport hotel in the South San Francisco Bay area.

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A New Way to Experience Japan

Anaheim, California (March 5, 2008) ‹ Want to experience Kyoto? Get wild in Osaka? See the all that is anime/manga in Tokyo? Attend the Tokyo Anime Fair? Be part of the Tokyo Game Show? Anime Expo® 2008 and Intermixi Japan Tours announce the Pre-Registration Grand Prize Getaway to Japan! All pre-registered attendees who register prior to June 15, 2008 will be automatically entered. Winners will be announced at Anime Expo® 2008's Opening Ceremonies July 3, 2008. Anime Expo® 2008 will be 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.

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Company Set to Release Four Titles in 2008: Fever, Hotel Africa, Martin and John, and Too Long

Los Angeles, CA (March 4, 2008)-TOKYOPOP, the leader of the global manga revolution, is thrilled to announce a multi-book publishing deal with Korea's hottest female manga creator, Hee Jung Park. In 2008, TOKYOPOP will release Fever (March), Hotel Africa (April), Martin and John (July) and Too Long (August). The company will premiere each of these stunning new series on its web site (www.TOKYOPOP.com) as well as on its MySpace profile (www.Myspace.com/TOKYOPOP). The free previews are part of a year-long effort--which will also include contests and giveaways, convention promotions, and online features--to promote the luscious artwork and sophisticated storytelling of this innovative global manga creator.

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ANN reports that France's Center for International Studies and Research (CERI) will be hosting a 2-day manga conference (PDF) on March 15th and 17th respectively:

Researchers who will present their work during the conference include Matt Thorn, an anthropologist at Japan's Kyoto Seika University; Yokohama National University's Jaqueline Berndt; and Go Ito, whose 2005 book Tezuka is Dead was among the first to criticize moe and other anime or manga genres that are driven by character designs, rather than narratives.

Japanese, comics published by the artist and sold at special events across Japan, have become a driving creative force, and a sensational way to connect with other fans. In the past, Pop Japan Travel has visited these dojinshi markets, but only as spectators. That's about to change.

This August, aspiring dojinshi creators, established small press comic artists and manga admirers alike will have an unprecedented opportunity. Pop Japan Travel's Mind Over Manga Tour offers guests the chance to go behind the scenes of one of Japan's most respected dojinshi events, Comitia -- and if you choose, print and sell your own comic or art book directly to Japanese readers!

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