[ANIME EXPO] ANIME EXPO 2008 GOING MAD

Nation’s Largest Anime and Manga Convention Welcomes Celebrated and Elusive Madhouse Animator

Anaheim, California (May 29, 2008) ‹Anime Expo® 2008 announces the 1st ever
global convention appearance of Madhouse animator Hiromi Kato as an official
Guest of Honor to this year¹s Anime Expo® 2008 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 <http://www.anime-expo.org> .

Mr. Kato learned about animation from renowned animator Yasuji Mori from the
age of 16 at Nippon Animation Co., LTD after being deeply impressed by the
NHK TV anime ³Mirai Shounen Conan² (FUTURE BOY CONAN).

Mr. Kato¹s first role as a key animator was for the title ³Peter Pan no
Bouken² (ADVENTURES OF PETER PAN).  He debuted as an animation director with
³Trapp Ikka Monogatari² (TRAP FAMILY STORY).  He  debuted as a character
designer with ³Daisogen No Chiisana Tenshi Bush Baby² (THE BUSH BABY).  He
also designed characters for ³Ai to Yuuki no Big Girl Tonde Buurin² (SUPER
PIG OF LOVE AND COURAGE), ³Hameln no Violin Hiki² (VIOLINIST OF HAMELN) and
other titles while at Nippon Animation Co., Ltd.  Mr. Kato was also involved
in the planning of ³Tenshi ni Narumon!² (I¹M GONNA BE AN ANGEL!) as well as
the production of ³Shoujo Kakumei Utena² (REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA).

Mr. Kato is a current member of Madhouse Studios working as an animation
director for BECK and PARADISE KISS as well as a character designer for
CLAMP IN WONDERLAND 2.

Hiromi Kato joins up and coming director Masahiro Ando, legendary American
voice actor David Hayter, famed POKEMON director Masamitsu Hidaka, the
dynamic duo known as Jyukai, celebrated veteran voice actor Toshihiko Seki
and the new Japanese ³It-Girl² Shokotan in Anime Expo® 2008¹s amazing line
up of Guests of Honor.

Attendees that have pre-registered can also update their information and add
on orders for main event tickets via the Anime Expo® 2008 Online
Registration Area at www.anime-expo.org <http://www.anime-expo.org> .

Free shuttle services for all hotel attendees will be provided. Regular
non-hotel attendees will have access to utilize the free shuttle services
during designated hours as well. All schedules and routes will be posted in
the lobby of each shuttle hotel. Frequency of service is pending local
traffic, road conditions and can change without notice.  Also, no shuttle
service provided to the Holiday Inn City Center and the Figueroa Hotel (both
are within walking distance of the Los Angeles Convention Center).

Attendees, Press and Industry Members are also encouraged to view the video
coverage site of the 2007 convention at www.AXBackstage.org
<http://www.AXBackstage.org> .

This year¹s Red & Black Sponsors are FUNimation and ImaginAsian Television.
Platinum Sponsor is Imagi Studios.  Gold Sponsor is Digital Manga
Publishing.  Silver Sponsor is Gaia Online.  Patron Sponsors are Central
Park Media and COPIC Markers.

About Anime Expo®
Located in Los Angeles, California - Anime Expo®, the nation¹s 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 2008 will be held July 3 ­ July 6, 2008 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 <http://www.spja.org>).

The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Anime presents Anime Expo® 2008.

WHO:             Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation
Industry giants
Guests from Japan and the U.S.
Exhibit Hall
Main Events
Concerts
Live Programming
Artist Alley
Screenings
Dances
Arcade
Red & Black Sponsors include: FUNimation and
Imaginasian TV
Platinum Sponsors include: Imagi Studios
Gold Sponsors include: Digital Manga Publishing
Silver Sponsors include: Gaia Online
Patron Sponsors include: COPIC and Central Park
Media

WHAT:          Nation¹s largest 24 Hour anime/manga convention serving over
44,000+ unique attendees in 2007.

WHEN:          Thursday, July 3, 2008 through Sunday, July 6, 2008

WHERE:       Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 South Figueroa Street; Los
Angeles, CA 90015

ADMISSION:

Registration Type   Dates   Price
Children ages 5 and under   Anytime   Free
4-Day Child (children ages 6-12)   Anytime   $30

Regular   March 18th to June 1st
4-Day Attendee       $55
2-Day Attendee       $45
1-Day Attendee       $25

Late   June 2nd to July 6th
4-Day Attendee       $60
2-Day Attendee       $45
1-Day Attendee       $25

At the door*   July 3rd to July 6th
4-Day Attendee       $65
2-Day Attendee       $50
1-Day Attendee       $25

*At the door registration refers to badges purchased at the Los Angeles
Convention Center during the convention. Those who choose to register at the
Anime Expo® registration site will be subject to the fees listed in the ³At
the door² category. However, online registrations made during the convention
are considered ³Late² and will be charged according to the prices listed in
the ³Late² category. Please note that you will save $5 by registering
online!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:      Visit the Anime Expo® 2008 website at:

http://www.anime-expo.org or call (310) 869-8030