May 20, 2011
News for Anime Expo 2011:
Anime Expo welcomes Sohei Niikawa, President of Nippon Ichi Software, as guest of honor
LOS ANGELES (May 19, 2010) -- Anime Expo, North America's largest anime and manga celebration, announces video game producer and developer Sohei Niikawa, President of Nippon Ichi Software (NIS), as its newest Guest of Honor when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from July 1 - 4, 2011. Carrying on Anime Expo's tradition of connecting fans with leaders from the anime, manga and gaming industries, Mr. Niikawa will participate in attendee panels, meet-and-greet and autograph sessions.
As a scenario writer and producer, Niikawa is the creative force behind such popular NIS games as the "Disgaea" series, the "Prinny" series, "Phantom Brave, Z.H.P.: Unlosing Ranger VS Darkdeath Evilman," and more. Founded in 1991 in Japan, NIS has established a worldwide following for its role-playing games created for multiple console platforms. In many of its titles, characters from one series will appear as secret characters in other series creating innovative connections between the games. The games produced by Mr. Niikawa have been localized and published by NIS America, and are popular among hardcore, niche gameplay fans nationwide. His newest entry, "Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten" for the PlayStation® 3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system, will be available this August.
"I'd like to sincerely thank you for inviting me as a guest for Anime Expo 2011," says Mr. Nikkawa of his upcoming appearance. "I've never been more honored than to be invited to such a large worldwide anime and game congregation such as Anime Expo. I plan to share some great news about Nippon Ichi Software, Inc., in regards to not only our games, but also on our focus to provide entertainment for everyone worldwide. I am extremely excited to have the chance to meet everyone in the near future."
Sohei Niikawa joins the line-up of Anime Expo 2011 Guests of Honor that includes chart-topping Japanese pop trio Kalafina, Japanese TV Host and blogger Danny Choo and voice actor Vic Mignogna as well as Anime Expo's first ever Virtual Guest of Honor, Digital Pop Idol Hatsune Miku. Themed the "Year of the Fan," Anime Expo 2011 will fully immerse guests into the world of Japanese animation, manga (comic books), music and fashion. Anime Expo is a non-stop marathon of Japanese pop culture that's been likened to Halloween in July.
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About Anime Expo
Held annually in Los Angeles, Anime Expo is North America's largest anime and manga event. Anime Expo gives fans the rare opportunity to meet and hear from some of the most famous anime, manga and musical artists from Japan and get into the action through everything from costume play, karaoke and video competitions to exclusive screenings, non-stop video gaming competitions and the wildly popular Masquerade, in which fans transform themselves into their favorite characters through creative costuming, accessories and make-up and put on their own show before an audience of thousands. AX 2011 will be held July 1 - July 4, 2011 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. To register or for more information, please visit www.anime-expo.org.
About the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation
The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is 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®. For more information, please visit www.spja.org.
