Nakagawa Shoko (23) performed at Matsurina 2008 on the 14th at Kanagawa Riviera Zushi Marina. The artist performed her upcoming CD single “Tsuzuku Sekai” (to be released on Sept. 10). Other performers include YUI (21), Kato Milliyah (20), Shimizu Shota (19) and many more.

Image courtesy of Sankei Sports

Japantoday.com reported, “Shoko Nakagawa, 23, who is famous for being an anime geek, attended Anime Expo 2008 in Los Angeles on Saturday. She also performed at a live concert as a guest in cosplay costumes, singing songs from famous Japanese anime as well as her original songs.”

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Daily Yomiuri’s Matsumaru Kumi wrote, “Shoko Nakagawa has many faces. Nakagawa, or Shokotan as her fans call her, is a blogger, otaku personality, singer and voice actress. Of equal importance, she also is known as a mangaka and illustrator. The multitalented otaku idol, whose activities are becoming international, is now displaying one of her vibrant illustrations at a Tokyo charity event in support of a cultural research foundation.”

“Along with 90 other famous names from different fields, including politics and entertainment, Nakagawa is displaying Angela Mao, an illustration she created using the image of the Taiwan martial arts film actress of the same name. (The work is not for sale, although some other items in the show are.)”

“I’ve always liked Bruce Lee, ever since I saw him in his kung fu films for the first time. Angela Mao played his younger sister in Enter the Dragon [1973],” Nakagawa told The Daily Yomiuri in a recent interview, while waiting at a Tokyo studio to appear on the television program Pokemon Sunday.

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Song Siren to Perform at Nation’s Largest Convention

Anaheim, California (March 26, 2008) — The new Japanese “It-Girl”,
television celebrity, blogger, voice actress and illustrator Shoko Nakagawa
(“Shokotan” as her fans call her) joins the hottest line up of Anime Expo®
2008 Guests of Honors 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 <http://www.anime-expo.org> .

Born in Tokyo in 1985, Ms. Nakagawa broke blog visit records in February
2008 when her blog, ‘Shokotan Blog’ received over one billion hits.  Filled
with photos and entries written in her own unique slang, this blog is
arguably the most popular of the many celebrity blogs. The site, which Ms.
Nakagawa updates as many as 15 times a day, garners over 1,800,000 hits a
day.

Among many fields of Ms. Nakagawa’s activities, music has been one of her
most successful ventures. Since her singing debut in 2006, she has quickly
expanded her fan base. Her single ‘Sorairo Days’, released in June of 2007,
was chosen as the theme song to the popular TV anime TENGEN TOPPA GURREN
LAGANN.  Her first ever rock song, it debuted at #3 on Japan’s Oricon weekly
single chart. Thanks to the ever-increasing popularity of fan events held
all over the country, Ms. Nakagawa had her first concert in Tokyo in
December of 2007. Tickets sold out in 25 seconds, and the show drew a crowd
of 2000 enthusiastic fans.

Ms. Nakagawa is also known for her extensive knowledge of anime and manga.
On her blog she posts her thoughts on works that catch her interest, along
with her own professional quality illustrations. In May of 2007, she chose 5
songs from over 1,500,000 requests, and released ‘Shokotan☆Cover’ a cover
album of anime theme songs. In August of the same year, she was selected as
Japan’s good will ambassador at the ‘World Cosplay Summit 2007′, an event
for aficionados of cosplay from all over the world. Her live performance at
the event received rave reviews from guests, setting the stage for her
worldwide popularity. The next month she followed up her hit anime song
cover album with the release of ‘Shokotan☆Cover 2’. The album became yet
another smash hit, ranking in at #11 on the Oricon album chart.

2007 was no doubt a huge year for Ms. Nakagawa. On December 31st, she
realized her dream of performing on the Kohaku Utagassen, Japan’s
traditional end of the year singing TV program. It was a fitting way to end
an impressive year. Ms. Nakagawa took her place on stage with other artists
representing the best and brightest of Japan’s music stars, and received
attention for her real time updates to her blog from backstage at the event.

On the first day of the New Year 2008, Ms. Nakagawa went straight from
Kohaku to perform at the prestigious Countdown Japan rock festival at 3 am.
Regardless of the time, more than 5,500 people turned out to see her perform
live. The same day a DVD of her 2007 concert, ‘Shokotan Donyoku Matsuri’ was
released, ranking at #5 on the Music DVD chart.

The ‘Shokotan’ fever shows no signs of stopping. The third book from her
blog sold over 10,0000 copies, and her 4th single, ’snow tears’, released on
January 30th, went to #2 on the charts. The ballad showing off her vocal
talents like never before, the song was selected as the ending song for the
TV anime HAKABA KITARO, for which Ms. Nakagawa also voices a character. She
was quite moved by this fateful collaboration as her late father, the singer
Katsuhiko Nakagawa had often said, ‘You can’t grow up without reading HAKABA
KITARO in her childhood.

On March 19th, her first full-length album “Big☆Bang!!!” was released with
roaring support of her fans, the album debuted at #5 on the Oricon album
chart.  In support of the album, Ms. Nakagawa will kick off her
much-anticipated Japan nation-wide tour in May.

Ms. Nakagawa joins legendary American voice actor David Hayter and famed
POKEMON director Masamitsu Hidaka in Anime Expo® 2008’s amazing line up of
Guests of Honor.

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

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 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 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.

###

APPENDIX A

Ms. Shoko Nakagawa

PHOTO EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE:  Photos are available to the media.  Please call
Chase Wang at (310) 869-8030 or send an e-mail to chase@bam-mp.com to
request materials.

CALENDAR EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE:

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
Gold Sponsors include: Digital Manga Publishing
Silver Sponsors include: Gaia Online
Patron Sponsors include: COPIC and Central Park
Media

WHAT:          Nation’s 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

Early   Jan 1st to March 17th
4-Day Attendee       $50
2-Day Attendee       $45
1-Day Attendee       $25

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 “At
the door” category. However, online registrations made during the convention
are considered “Late” and will be charged according to the prices listed in
the “Late” 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

It has been confirmed that Nakagawa Shoko (aka Shokotan) is making her first US appearance at Anime Expo 2008’s Guest of Honor this summer. One of the nation’s largest and most anticipated anime conventions, 2008(www.anime-expo.org) will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center July 3-6.

About Shoko Nakagawa

Born in Tokyo in 1985, Shoko Nakagawa is Japan’s new It Girl. Singer, TV celebrity, blogger, voice actress, illustrator…’Shokotan‘, as fans call her, is a multi-talented performer with a resume. These days it’s hard to go a day without hearing her name.

In February 2008, she broke records when her blog, ‘Shokotan Blog‘ (http://blog.excite.co.jp/shokotan/) received over one billion hits. Filled with photos and entries written in her own unique slang, this blog is arguably the most popular of the many celebrity blogs. The site, which she updates as many as 15 times a day, garners over 1,800,000 hits a day.

Among many fields of Shoko’s activities, music has been one of her most successful ventures. Since her singing debut in 2006, she has quickly expanded her fan base. Her single ‘Sorairo Days’, released in June of 2007, was chosen as the theme song to the popular TV anime ‘Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann‘. Her first ever rock song, it debuted at #3 on Japan’s Oricon weekly single chart. Thanks to the ever-increasing popularity of fan events held all over the country, Shoko had her first concert in Tokyo in December of 2007. Tickets sold out in 25 seconds, and the show drew a crowd of 2000 enthusiastic fans.

Shoko is also known for her extensive knowledge of anime and manga. On her blog she posts her thoughts on works that catch her interest, along with her own professional quality illustrations. In May of 2007, she chose 5 songs from over 1,500,000 requests, and released ‘Shokotan ☆Cover’ a cover album of anime theme songs. In August of the same year, she was selected as Japan’s good will ambassador at the ‘World Cosplay Summit 2007′, an event for aficionados of cosplay from all over the world. Her live performance at the event received rave reviews from guests, setting the stage for her worldwide popularity. The next month she followed up her hit anime song cover album with the release of ‘Shokotan☆Cover 2’. The album became yet another smash hit, ranking in at #11 on the Oricon album chart.

2007 was no doubt a huge year for Shoko. On December 31st, she realized her dream of performing on the Kohaku Utagassen, Japan’s traditional end of the year singing TV program. It was a fitting way to end an impressive year. Shoko took her place on stage with other artists representing the best and brightest of Japan’s music stars, and received attention for her real time updates to her blog from backstage at the event.

On the first day of the New Year 2008, Shoko went straight from Kohaku to perform at the prestigious Countdown Japan rock festival at 3 am. Regardless of the time, more than 5,500 people turned out to see her perform live. The same day a DVD of her 2007 concert, ‘Shokotan Donyoku Matsuri‘ was released, ranking at #5 on the Music DVD chart.

The ‘Shokotan’ fever shows no signs of stopping. The third book from her blog sold over 10,0000 copies, and her 4th single, ’snow tears’, released on January 30th, went to #2 on the charts. The ballad showing off her vocal talents like never before, the song was selected as the ending song for the TV anime ‘Hakaba Kitaro‘, for which Shoko also voices a character. She was quite moved by this fateful collaboration as her late father, the singer Katsuhiko Nakagawa had often said, ‘You can’t grow up without reading ‘Hakaba Kitaro.’ in her childhood.

On March 19th, her first full-length album “Big☆Bang!!!” was released with roaring support of her fans, the album debuted at #5 on the Oricon album chart. In support of the album, Ms. Nakagawa will kick off her much-anticipated Japan nation-wide tour in May.

It’s new releases Wednesday!  Which artist or band came in #1 on the Oricon Daily Chart?

NOTE: Great debut for Nakagawa Shoko, Aoyama Thelma feat. SoulJa continue to stay strong moving up from #5 to #2.  ANNA TSUCHIYA’s “cocoon” debuts at #16.  Koda Kumi’s “anytime” drops to #12.

1. Nakagawa Shoko - snow tears
2. Aoyama Thelma feat. SoulJa - Sobani iru ne
3. mihimaru GT - diverge
4. the pillows - Tokyo Bambi
5. ikimonogakari - Hana wa Sakura Kimi wa Utsukushi
6. RADWIMPS  - Order Made
7. Ketsumeishi - Deai no kakera
8. Stephanie - Friends
9. Moriyama Naotaro - Snowdrop
10. Okahira Kenji - Kokuhaku

Our Music Show Segment Pick of the Day goes to Nakagawa Shoko’s appearance on TBS “Utaban”. Utaban is a music show hosted by Downtown’s Ishibashi Takaaki and SMAP’s Nakai Masahiro where they have 2-3 music artists/bands as guest, interview them and the guests perform on the show.

DISCLAIMER: Youtube videos are courtesy of Youtube.com and are not on J!-ENT servers

Leah Dizon (21) sung in a medley with female theater/pop group AKB48 and Nakagawa Shoko (22).

The singer wore a sexy costume and media reports that the trouble that Leah experienced at rehearsals (forgetting the lines for Saburo Kitajima’s lines and also choreography) was non-existent on the televised appearance.

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Image courtesy of Sankei Sports