Shopping Guide
It is well known that events that feature Japanese anime, manga, and J-Pop are spreading throughout the world. Also increasing are the number of popular Japanese musical artists, manga artists, and creators of anime who are invited overseas for these events. Let’s take a look at guests who have been announced so far for some of the biggest overseas events.
Those invited to this year’s Sakura-Con from March 29-31 in Seattle, Washington, U.S. - author Reki Kawahara, animator Toshihiro Kawamoto, film director Katsuyuki Motohiro, animation director Naoyoshi Shiotani, and musical artists Eir Aoi and Luna Haruna - made a huge impact at the event and helped in broadening Japanese animation.
Events to take place in many different countries later this year have already announced their guests. First off, are the guests for AnimagiC 2013, Germany’s biggest anime event that will be held this year in Bonn from July 26-28. So far, guests announced for AnimagiC 2013 include musical artists Eir Aoi (who was very active at Sakura-Con), JAM Project, and Zwei; and many manga artists including the popular Yuki Kodama (known for Blood Lad), Fujiko Kosumi (who actively creates works for females), and Aya Shouoto. It has also been announced that two representatives from Nitroplus, Dejitaro and Gen Urobuchi, will also participate in the event.
As for Aoi and Haruna, who performed at Sakura-Con to represent the anime Sword Art Online, they will also be active at Anime Boston from May 24-26 along with two members of the anime’s staff, director Tomohiko Ito and producer Shinichiro Kashiwada.
At next month’s FanimeCon in San Jose, California, U.S., the Japanese band Seven Oops (aka 7!!), who is known creating songs used in the anime for Naruto, will be performing their first concert in North America.
Later this year at the Gold Coast International Film Festival, director Mamoru Hosoda and producer Yuichiro Saito of the film Wolf Children will make guest appearances, as will the director of The Garden of Words, Makoto Shinkai. North America, Europe, Asia, the Pacific - areas where Japanese anime and manga play an active role are increasing.
Two events in particular that always invite many guests from Japan are Anime Expo (to be held this July in Los Angeles) and Japan Expo (to be held later this year in Paris, France). Currently, big shot guests include screenwriter Mari Okada and manga artist Tetsuo Hara. More guests will be announced for these events as their openings draw nearer.
Source:
http://animeanime.jp/article/2013/04/08/13603.html (Japanese)
