Guests

VAMPS

Musical Guests

VAMPS — composed of HYDE, from the famous Japanese band L'Arc~en~Ciel, and K.A.Z, from the groups Oblivion Dust and HIDE with Spread Beaver — will be returning to NYC after their 2009 sold-out show at New York's Irving Plaza. Now on their third consecutive year of touring, VAMPS is playing a 40+ show tour in Japan this summer which will extend into their VAMPS Live 2010 World Tour this fall. VAMPS will be performing at New York's Roseland Ballroom on Saturday, October 9, but before that, they'll be at the New York Anime Festival and New York Comic Con for a special Q&A session with fans on October 8! Tickets for the VAMPS show at Roseland are on sale now at www.livenation.com.

Puffy AmiYumi

Musical Guests

Puffy AmiYumi, composed of singers Ami Onuki and Yumi Yoshimura, debuted in 1996 with the million selling single Asia No Junshin. Since then, their music has made them household names in Japan, leading to numerous hit songs, commercial appearances, and even their own television show. In 2000, Puffy AmiYumi began releasing albums and touring in the US. In 2004, Cartoon Network created an original cartoon, Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi, which became one of the most watched cartoons in the world -- having been broadcast in 110 different countries. In 2006, Puffy AmiYumi were appointed the Goodwill Ambassadors of the Visit Japan Campaign for the US. In 2009, Puffy AmiYumi performed in Europe for the first time in front of 5,000+ people in Paris's Japan Expo. In the same year, they sang the theme song to the Naruto film Naruto Shippuden 3: Inheritors of the Will of Fire. Their latest album, Bring it!, includes All Because Of You and I Don't Wanna written by Avril Lavigne and her producer Butch Walker, Hiyori Hime written by the Japanese female rock icon Sheena Ringo, the theme song to the new Genji anime series, and other songs written by numerous stellar song writers. Puffy AmiYumi will be headlining Superglorious's Far East To East Showcase on Sunday, October 10 at Irving Plaza. Tickets can be ordered after July 9th from Irving Plaza's Box Office or via Ticketmaster.

Minori Chihara

Guest of Honor

Minori Chihara, born in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture in Japan, debuted in the anime world in 2004 as the voice Aya Natsume in the series Tenjho Tenge. Since then, she's tackled over 40 anime series, lending her voice both to characters as well as to theme songs. Notable roles include Minami Iwasaki in Lucky Star, Toa in Dragonaut, Raquel Mayol in My-Otome 0~S.ifr~, Chiaki Minami in Minami-ke, Nanaka Shirakawa in Da Capo II, Coopa in Tower of Druaga, Kagura Tsuchimiya in Ga-Rei -Zero-, Toka Ryumonbuchi in Saki, and Ekitoku Chouhi in Ikkitousen. She is most known as Yuki Nagato in the popular Melancholy of Haruhi Suzyumiya anime series, and in addition to voicing Yuki Nagato in the new Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya film, Ms. Chihara also performs its theme song, "Yasashii Boukyaku". Ms. Chihara's full schedule will include both panel sessions and autograph signings. Bandai Entertainment will present a special screening of The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya at NYAF, with Ms. Chihara welcoming fans to the premiere. On Saturday, October 9, Ms. Chihara will perform a concert at the convention. General admission to Ms. Chihara's concert is free and first-come, first-served. For fans wishing to guarantee a seat, paid, reserved seating will be available via the Tickets page at www.newyorkanimefestival.com starting at 12 Noon EST on July 15th.

Veronica Taylor

Featured Guest

Acting since she was five-years-old, Veronica Taylor got her start in school plays and talent shows, and she is now one of the most sought-after voice actresses in the country. She's most known for her role as the original Ash in Pokemon, and her lengthy resume includes Yukino in His and Her Circumstances, Aoi in To Heart, Amelia in Slayers, Scarlett in GI Joe: Sigma 6, and April O'Neil in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. She can also be heard as Alice Elliot in Shadow Hearts and Freya, Jayle, and Aelia in Valkyrie Profile.

Rachael Lillis

Featured Guest

Rachael Lillis is delighted to be appearing at NYAF! Rachael is an actor and singer who lives in NYC and has voiced roles in various anime dubs. Some of her voice credits include Dinosaur King (Ursula, Reese, Laura), Chaotic (Intress), Pokemon (original voices of Jessie, Misty and about 35 monsters), Comic Party (Mizuki), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Tomoe Ame), Genshiken (Ohno), Kujibiki Unbalance (Kasumi Kasuragi), Boys Be (Aya), Boogiepop Phantom (Nagi, Manaka), Animation Runner Kuromi (Mai), Revolutionary Girl Utena (Utena, Chu Chu), Gokudo (Nihi), His and Her Circumstances (Aya, Miyako), and The Irresponsible Captain Tylor (Yuriko Star). She has narrated audiobooks and also played characters in video games, and has done voiceover for Sesame Street, Nova, and American Masters. She's also looped for live-action shows such as Sex and The City and Law and Order.

Jamie McGonnigal

Featured Guest

Jamie McGonnigal is best known for voicing Barry in Pokemon, Blitz in Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's, Omi in Weiss Kreuz, Takeo in Magic User's Club, and Kazuto World of Narue. He can also been heard in as Ranmaru in the yaoi classic Kizuna, Yoshito in BECK, Kanou in Big Windup!, and LA in El Cazador de la Bruja. Jamie has also produced and directed award-winning theatrical concert presentations of Children of Eden, Pippin (starring Rosie O'Donnell and Ben Vereen), The Secret Garden (voted one of the Top 5 theatrical events of 2005), Rags (at Times Square's Nokia Theatre), and Snoopy (starring Tony-winner Sutton Foster), as well as Broadway Loves the '80s and Flopz n' Cutz. He has worked to raise awareness and funds for organizations including The Matthew Shepard Foundation, Broadway Impact, Join the Impact, The Joey DiPaolo AIDS Foundation, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Free Arts NYC, God's Love We Deliver, The National AIDS Fund, OneIowa.org, Lambda Legal, and many more. For more, visit www.JamieMcG.com or www.TalkAboutEquality.org. Photo by Jimmi Kilduff (www.jkbkphotography.com).

Tom Wayland

Featured Guest

Tom Wayland is a graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts with a degree in acting. Tom got his start performing in various theatrical productions ranging from Hamlet to Stomp to Jesus Christ Superstar. After a stint as a rock star roaming the East Coast's rock clubs, Tom ran out of money and had to get a job -- and thus began what is now a 10-year career in the animation industry. Tom has produced and/or directed hundreds of anime programs such as Now & Then, Here & There, Revolutionary Girl Utena, Alien Nine, The World of Narue, Ichi the Killer, Mew Mew Power, Magical Do Re Mi, and GI Joe: Sigma Six. He currently serves as the voice director on the hit series Pokemon. Tom is also a very busy voice actor, having appeared in over 100 titles including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as Jammerhead, GI Joe: Sigma Six as Stormshadow, Pokemon as Reggie, Sho, and numerous monsters, Yu-Gi-Oh 5Ds as Nervin, and Yu-Gi-Oh GX as Abidos and Chumley, Chaotic. His voice has also appeared in Magical Do Re Mi, One Piece, Mew Mew Power, Knight Hunters, Genshiken, Kujibiki, and Gokusen. In addition, Tom's work can be seen or heard on various TV commercials, feature films, and audiobook projects. Make sure to check out Tom's talent in the English-language version of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival hit, Dead Snow. What's it about? Two words. Nazi Zombies!

Uncle Yo

Featured Guest

Having escaped from Raccoon and Shinra City, Yo takes on his old stomping grounds of New York City. Get your jutsus warmed up because this Starfleet intern wears the Number 1 ninja headband. Karl "Uncle Yo" Custer premiered his geek-specific stand-up comedy routine at the first NYAF, and year three will see Uncle Yo taken to a whole new level. Don't forget to encourage his bad habits at www.uncleyo.com.

ichiP!

Featured Guest

When anime, dancing, and three girls combine, Ichigo Pantsu is born! Ichigo Pantsu (or ichiP!) is a three-girl dance troupe from New York City, and they're happy to perform on their home turf at NYAF this year! Usually found grooving about in the Artist Alley or Exhibition Hall, they've found their way on stage this weekend performing — and teaching — dances from popular anime and some of their own! Watch ichiP! online at http://www.youtube.com/ichipdansu.

Misako Rocks!

Featured Guest

Misako Rocks! developed a love for comics and manga at an early age and drew her first comic at the age of 13. She moved to New York in 2001 and worked as a puppeteer, face painter, animal balloon maker, and art teacher while still developing her own work. Her first book -- Biker Girl -- and second -- Rock and Roll Love -- were published by Hyperion. She recently scored a three-book deal with Henry Holt, and her first Henry Holt book -- Detective Jermain -- was released in 2008. Besides these books, Misako writes scripts for Archie comics and stories for the weekly kids comic magazine Peach de Punch in the UK. She's also illustrated The Onion's Savage Love for 10 years. Misako currently lives in Brooklyn and spends her free time riding her vintage bike, making hip hop, kissing babies, shaking hands, slam dunking, and eating lots of onigiri! Visit misakorocks.com for more.

Tommy Yune - Robotech Creative Director

Featured Guest

Tommy Yune has worked for over a decade in the comic book and video game industries. His early game development experience includes character design of the pioneering 3D fighting game FX Fighter for the Nintendo SuperFX chip and conceptual design of the award-winning Journeyman Project series. He also wrote and illustrated hit comic book titles such as Speed Racer, Racer X, Robotech, and Danger Girl: Kamikaze which were published by DC Comics' Wildstorm and Cliffhanger labels. His first work in feature animation was creating the computer-generated opening sequence of Kevin Altieri's Gen13.

Tommy grew up on a steady diet of anime, watching as much Prince Planet, Gatchaman and Casshan as he could in Asia and the United States. Then he shunned television and went back to being a responsible student to the delight of his parents. However, right before entering the UCLA School of Engineering, Robotech brought anime back into his life and he eventually found himself at the ArtCenter College of Design instead. His parents wept.

Tommy first worked in an official capacity for the Robotech universe by helping design Robotech.com for its launch in 2001. He has since come aboard as Harmony Gold's creative director and oversees new development, including Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles which completed production in 2006.

BOOM BOOM SATELLITES: Performing at the Far East To East Showcase

Musical Guests

Electronic/Rock unit Boom Boom Satellites -- bassist/programmer Masayuki Nakano and guitarist/vocalist Michiyuki Kawashima -- first broke in Europe in 1997. Absorbing both electronic and rock elements, they created a completely new and unknown sound, which not only established them as an exciting new band, but also boosted their profile as one of the most distinguished music producers in Japan. Their first single, 4 A Moment of Silence, was released in Europe in 1997 and triggered rave reviews from such definitive European music magazines as Melody Maker, who compared their debut impact to those of the Chemical Brothers' and Prodigy's. In 1998 the band embarked on a 3 month US tour with Moby, and shortly after they began receiving -- and still keep receiving -- requests for remix work from various artists such as Garbage, Josh Wink, and many more, which proved that their sound could be acclaimed and accepted internationally. When Oliver Stone and Luc Besson chose a band's track to use in the film Yamakashi, it reinforced interest in their music from industries out side of the music business. In 2004 the band continued their film work by producing the soundtrack album to the animated film Appleseed. Boom Boom Satellites contributed four new songs, including the movie's main theme, Dive For You, to the soundtrack, which also included music from Paul Oakenfold, Basement Jaxx, and Ryuichi Sakamoto. In 2007, their 6th album EXPOSED was released. Japanese lead track Easy Action was featured in 3D live action anime film, Vexille (directed by Fumihiko Sori), and was included in the soundtrack which also features Asian Dub Foundation, Underworld, and The Prodigy. EXPOSED was produced in an attempt to find the answer for the band to the long-standing question from the industry that tends to appreciate genre specific music, namely, Rock vs. Dance. In this album they have reached an answer -- Rock AND Dance, both can exist at the same time and same place. Hence the new follow-up greatest hits album, OVER AND OVER. Coming in September 2010, this album is thoroughly re-mastered and re-mixed by the members themselves, and allows the listeners to appreciate it as a completely new album rather as a simple compilation of pre-existing tracks.

ZAZEN BOYS: Performing at the Far East To East Showcase

Musical Guests

Zazen Boys is a Japanese band formed by former Number Girl guitarist and vocalist Mukai Shutoku. Stylistically, their music consists of complex rhythmic songs reminiscent of math rock, as well as extended improvisational songs characterized through live performances.After the breakup of Number Girl, Mukai Shutoku began touring solo under the moniker Mukai Shutoku Acoustic and Electric. Although initially performing new versions of Number Girl songs, he quickly developed many that would appear on Zazen Boy's first album. After touring through June 2003, Shutoku commissioned friend and former Number Girl drummer Inazawa Ahito, and after former Art-School bassist Hinata Hidekazu and guitarist Yoshikane Sou (formerly of Kicking the Lion) joined, the first incarnation of Zazen Boys was formed. Using Shutoku's experimental mindset, influenced by Buddhist chants, hip-hop, funk, punk, and improvisational jazz, Zazen Boys achieved unexpected success. Additionally, Zazen Boys have contributed songs to several movie soundtracks. Mayonaka no Yaji-San Kita-San was mostly original Zazen Boys tracks, and an alternate version of Jimonjitou was featured on the soundtrack to Canary.

ECHOSTREAM: Performing at the Far East To East Showcase

Musical Guests

Echostream's music draws the audience into a singular world, where haunting melodies swirl over grooving beats and unique instrumentation. Drawing on classical sensibility, the music includes techniques and arrangements normally only found in stuffy concerts populated by grey-haired old ladies. Here, those same instruments are let loose like beasts released to roam the wilds in search of adventures. Pianos, French Horns, Mandolins, Theremins, and of course the standard rock fare -- drums, bass, guitars -- abound, blending and accentuating one another to create a sound that is just as at home in a movie, on TV, or in a game, as it is on a festival stage. Echostream is not a new band, although you may only now be discovering them. Over a history of five years, two self-released albums, multiple licenses for TV and compilations both domestic and abroad, and many large-venue performances, the band has honed its sound and skills to an exceptional level.

Cristina Vee

Featured Guest

Cristina Vee is an anime and video game voice actress residing near Los Angeles, California. Her story from a anime fan and cosplayer to a professional voice actress and singer is a unique one. She dreamed of becoming a voice actress years before she was discovered by Bang Zoom Entertainment at Anime Expo at the ripe young age of 16. Now she has starred in anime such as Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha as the titular character, Rozen Maiden as Kanaria, The Familiar of Zero as Louise de la Valliere, Aika in Aika R-16, and she is the announced voice of Mio Akiyama in K-ON. Other anime roles include parts in Kannazuki no Miko, Hare + Guu, and The Blade of the Immortal. She also has voiced for popular video games such as Luminous Arc 2 (Sylphy), Rune Factory Frontier (Cinnamon), Blazblue and its sequel (Noel, Mu-12, Nu-13, Lambda-11), Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow (Kluke), Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love (Anri) and Y's Seven (Sigroon). Cristina is also the announcer for several Purikura photobooth machines. Cristina has also gained popularity through her YouTube channel as MilkyCabbage and ValliereVee with her English dubs and Japanese covers of anime songs. On camera, she has co-hosted AnimeTV and the Funimation On Demand recaps with Johnny Yong Bosch and Jonathan Meza. She helped promote Haruhi Suzumiya season 2 in the Adventures of the ASOS Brigade (as Haruhi Suzumiya) and she will share a similar experience with K-ON (as Mio Akiyama). She performs in various theatrical productions as a theatre arts student at CSULB and can be seen performing in improv comedy shows all across Southern California.

Stephanie Sheh

Featured Guest

Stephanie Sheh is the voice of Hinata in Naruto, Orihime in Bleach, Eureka in Eureka 7, Mamimi in FLCL, Mikuru in Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Akira in Lucky Star, Kinon in Gurren Lagan, Guu in Hare+Guu, and more recently Slyphiel in the new Slayers, and Excel in Kurokami. Stephanie has been cast as Yui in Bandai Entertainment's musically driven show K-ON! Stephanie is also currently voicing Audrey/Mineva and Haro in Sunrise's billingual blu-ray and DVD release of their Gundam UC. She also just recently recorded the second season of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. If you're more of a gamer, Stephanie was in Bioshock 2, Littlest Petshop 3, Aion, Nier, Final Fantasy XIII, as well as Tales of the Abyss, Devil May Cry 4, Radiata Stories, Valkerie Profile 2, to name a few. She also just did some voice work on Secret World. She co-voice directed Resident Evil 5 and is the current voice of Rebecca Chambers for the franchise. Perhaps most exciting though, is that Stephanie is starting to do voiceover for original animation. She had the honor of recording an episode of Scooby Doo this year and did some kid voices for Glenn Martin, DDS. She also voiced the lead, Sue Yee, in Nicktoon's Three Delivery. You might recognize Stephanie as mini Olivia Munn from G4's Attack of the Show. For insight into Stephanie's random mind and to keep up with her career join her facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Sheh/10078228204. Stephanie uses her facebook fanpage to conduct contests where you can win some anime giveaways and autographs. And for the latest updates straight from the con, follow her on twitter: www.twitter.com/stephaniesheh. Stephanie loves meeting fans, and looks forward to having many open and honest conversations with NYAF attendees, especially about how you can help save the anime industry.

Rika "Angry" Ishikawa

Guest of Honor

Hangry & Angry is a group formed by Hitomi Yoshizawa and Rika Ishikawa, former members of the famous idol band Morning Musume. Here, they've literally become the characters initially born from the collaboration between h.Naoto, designer and leader in the Gothic & Lolita and Visual-Kei fashion, and Gashicon, illustrator and creator of the Guro-kawa (Grotesque & Cute) characters of Hangry & Angry. On November 18, 2009, their first full album -- Sadistic Dance -- was released in Japan, Taiwan, Europe, and America. The album was produced by Daniel Merlot, a music producer who has previously worked with Kool Keith, Perry Farrell (ex Jane's Addiction), Mad Professor, Milla Jovovich, Bjork, and Aphex Twin. Half of Hangry & Angry -- Rika "Angry" Ishikawa -- will be appearing at NYAF as will designer Gashicon to speak about and show the clothes inspired by Hangry & Angry.

Gashicon

Guest of Honor

Gashicon is the head designer of the h.NAOTO fashion brand and is the illustrator in charge of h.NAOTO's Hangry & Angry characters and comics – which have appeared in magazines include KERA and CURE.  In 2008, a dedicated Hangry & Angry store opened in Osaka and former-Morning Musume members Yoshizawa and Rika Ishikawa formed the Hangry & Angry music group. She'll be at NYAF speaking about the Angry & Angry characters and brand.

Crispin Freeman

Featured Guest

Crispin Freeman is a voice actor, director and script adaptor who's been portraying characters in animation and video games since 1997. He's worked on a myriad of anime shows including Hellsing, Naruto, Ghost in the Shell, The Big O, Final Fantasy: Advent Children, Wolf's Rain, Witch Hunter Robin, Chobits, Blood+, Last Exile, Revolutionary Girl Utena, Slayers, The Irresponsible Captain Tylor, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and Miyazaki's Howl's Moving Castle. In the world of video games, he's played Superman, Iron Man, Dr. Manhattan, Legolas, as well as Will Turner from Pirates of the Caribbean. In American animation, he's voiced Electro in the Spectacular Spider-Man series and Multiple Man in Wolverine and the X-Men. He will soon be Shizuo Heiwajima in Aniplex's Durarara!

Mario Bueno

Featured Guest

A fan of Japanese Animation since 2000, convention attendee since 2001, and cosplayer since 2002, Mario Bueno has come a long way since he was first formally introduced to the medium! With a background in stage and screen, Mario is an award-winning cosplayer and vocalist whose performances have made a splash throughout the world thanks to the power of the internet. He has appeared on Anime News Network in their 2007-2008 news webisodes, produced/appeared in his 2005 fan film "Final Fantasy vs Kaiju Big Battel" and web program "Doujinopolis," and appeared in numerous FUNimation Blog segments as Son Goku. Recently, he also became the first male AX Idol Singing Winner at Anime Expo 2010. Mario invites you to check out his costume gallery on American Cosplay Paradise (http://www.acparadise.com/ace/display.php?a=49268), as well as his website (www.mariobueno.com) and YouTube page (http://www.youtube.com/user/empmaniac) to keep up to date on his latest projects!

Reni Mimura

Featured Guest

Reni specializes in Moe style performances, a genre that emphasizes the cute look of Japanese pop-culture with the hip appeal of Japanese animation. Through her singing and dancing she creates an adorable, peaceful, yet exciting mood.

Reni was born and raised in Japan and began training in the art of dance and theater at a very young age. Her big break came after she entered and won a national talent search competition. She then released her first Japanese CD in 2006 produced by Takahiro Yamautsuri, who composed the music for one of the Pokemon movies.

In 2008 Reni relocated to New York City and hopes to bring this unique style to the United States. As interest in Japanese entertainment grows among the American youth, Reni offers her audiences the most fun and authentic Japanese pop experience, without ever having to travel to Tokyo. In 2009, she began her regular monthly Japanese 'Maid' Show events, and has been invited as a guest performer to Japan Society, Otakon, NY Anime Festival, Anime Boston and Washington Sakura Matsuri. Reni is quickly winning over the hearts of many new local fans, thanks to her pretty stage costumes, upbeat personality, and her outstanding singing talent. Reni released her latest CD album "Sakura"  in September 2009, was featured in a TV  documentary program "NY Wave" by NHK in March 2010, and published her first photo book "Maid in NY" in March 2010.

Reni Mimura Official Website: (Sample Music and Performance video Available)
http://www.renireni.com/

Corinne Orr

Featured Guest

Corinne Orr -- best known for her part as Trixie in Speed Racer -- was born in Montreal, Canada.  She became involved in the theatre at the age of 10, and by 14, Corinne was working with the Montreal Repertory Theatre and Montreal's Mountain Playhouse alongside William Shatner and Christopher Plummer.  With her stage background, Corinne quickly landed work in radio, animation, and TV in Canada and then New York City.  Corinne has given her voice to characters in over 1,000 commercials including Snuggle Fabric Softener's the Snuggle the Bear and worked in more than 200 animated movies and series including Grave of the Fireflies, Star Blazers, Ultraman, Marine Boy, and Disney's PB&J Otter.

Disorganization XIII

Featured Guest

It's those guys who did that thing at that convention that you saw that one time and it was awesome! Who were they again? ... Anyway, Disorganization XIII's team of comedians, philosophers, and asylum escapees continue to do everything they say you can't do at a convention. We will make you laugh. We will make you think. We will most likely offend you in the process of making you laugh and think, and we will not be apologetic about it!

Performing at NYAF since year one, Disorganization XIII has never been afraid to delve into the world of convention taboo. This year, they will be performing two of their most popular panels: Spoiler: The Panel and Fanfiction: From Mary Sue to Shakespeare. They have spent the last year writing, researching, and spending far too much time on the internet, all to bring you brand new panel content. If you are looking for something a little different (read: profoundly crazy) in your panels, then come see Disorganization XIII! Also support the rest of our assorted dickery at www.disorganization-xiii.com