Anime Central

OTAQUEST Announces OTAQUEST CONNECT Virtual Convention In Partnership with Anime Central Anime Convention

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Japanese media outlet and event promoter OTAQUEST has announced a new partnership with the Anime Central anime convention which has led to the development of OTAQUEST CONNECT, a new two-day virtual convention that will be held August 15-16, 2020. The convention will feature Japanese industry guests along with musical performances across both days.

OTAQUEST CONNECT Powered by Anime Central will feature exclusive interviews and panels featuring noted industry guests in Cowboy Bebop and Escaflowne composer, Yoko Kanno; director of the acclaimed Yakuza video game series, Toshihiro Nagoshi; director of Appleseed and Evangelion: Another Impact, Shinji Aramaki; and the mangaka of BEASTARS, Paru Itagaki, among other guests.

In keeping with Anime Central’s reputation for its storied and highly popular convention rave, OTAQUEST // PLUGGED IN will be a streaming music event held during OTAQUEST CONNECT Powered by Anime Central. Capping off Saturday night, viewers can catch ☆Taku Takahashi, Alan Shirahama, LADY’S ONLY, YUC’e, and KOTONOHOUSE, with additional DJs/performers to be announced. Sunday night’s music programming will feature an additional concert featuring performances from Japanese all-girl rock band GIRLFRIEND, voice actor & singer Sasaki Rico, and dance/vocal J-Pop group Chuning Candy to close out the weekend and the event.

More information can be found at the official site for OTAQUEST CONNECT Powered by Anime Central.

Source: Crunchyroll

Anime Central Cancels Its 2020 Convention

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

The organizers of the Anime Central convention have announced that this year’s event is canceled due to concerns about the COVID-19 coronavirus illness. Two of the convention’s hotel partners, the Hyatt Regency O’Hare and the Westin O’Hare, had also notified the organizers that they would not be able to host the convention. The dates for the next Anime Central are May 21-23, 2021.

All attendees who pre-registered for the convention this year will be automatically rolled over for next year’s convention. Attendees may also request refunds by filling out a form by April 20, 2020. Retailers and artists will also be automatically rolled over, or they may also request refunds.

This year’s event was scheduled to take place from May 15-17, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare and Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.

Source: ANN

Anime Central Announces Staff of Vinland Saga As Guests

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Anime Central has announced that five staff members from the Vinland Saga anime will be guests at their upcoming convention: Shūhei Yabuta, Takahiko Abiru, Hiroshi Seko, Hiroya Hasegawa, and Yutaka Yamada.

Yabuta’s credits include IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix, Sunday Without God, Inuyashiki, Highschool of the Dead, The Ambition of Oda Nobuna, The irregular at magic high school, Overlord, and No Game, No Life.

Abiru’s credits include Paprika, Death Note, Kaiji: Against All Rules, and Hunter x Hunter.

Seko’s credits include Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, Gurren Lagann Parallel Works 2, Attack on Titan, Inuyashiki, Seraph of the End, Bananafish, and Dorohedoro.

Hasegawa’s credits include Psycho-Pass, Ghost in the Shell Arise, and The Ancient Magus’ Bride.

Yamada is a music composer who composed music for both Vinland Saga and Tokyo Ghoul.

Anime Central will be taking place May 15-17, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare and Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.

Anime Central Announces Luci Christian as Guest

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Anime Central has announced that voice actress Luci Christian will be a guest at their next convention.

Christian’s credits include Yurin in Dragon Ball Super, Hiro Soma in Fruits Basket, Ochaco Uraraka in My Hero Academia, Kaname Chidori in Full Metal Panic!, Himeno Awayuki in Prétear, Yukari Tanizaki in Azumanga Daioh, Psiren and Wrath in Fullmetal Alchemist, Asako Kurumi in Kodocha, Rico in Gunslinger Girl, Asuna Kagurazaka in Negima!, Tenma Tsukamoto in School Rumble, Hitomi Kashiwa in Welcome to the NHK, Mitsukuni “Honey” Haninozuka in Ouran High School Host Club, Nami in One Piece, Medusa in Soul Eater, Meryl Strife in Trigun: Badlands Rumble, Nessa in Fractale, the narrator in Ōkami-san and her Seven Companions and Kamisama Kiss, Elsie in The World God Only Knows, Kirino Chiba in Bamboo Blade, Lenalee Lee in D.Gray-man, Nagisa Furukawa in Clannad, Makina Hoshimura in Corpse Princess, Nagisa Motomiya in AKB0048, Marika Kato in Bodacious Space Pirates, Himeko Inaba in Kokoro Connect, Chihaya Ayase in Chihayafuru, Hestia in Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, and Stella Vermillion in Chivalry of a Failed Knight.

Anime Central will be taking place at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare and Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois from May 15-17, 2020.

Anime Central Announces J. Michael Tatum as Guest

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Anime Central has announced that voice actor J. Michael Tatum will be a guest at their upcoming convention.

Tatum’s credits include Kyoya Otori in Ouran High School Host Club, Sebastian Michaelis in Black Butler, France in the Hetalia franchise, Tomoe from Kamisama Kiss, Okarin Rintarou from Steins;Gate, Tenya Iida in My Hero Academia.

Anime Central will be taking place at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare and Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois from May 15-17, 2020.

Anime Central Announces Riho Iida as Guest

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Anime Central has announced that voice actress and singer Riho Iida will be a guest at their next convention.

Iida is best known as Rin Hoshizora from the Love Live! group μ’s. She debuted as an actress in 2000, and worked in television, film, commercials, stage plays, and radio. She then debuted as a voice actress in 2013 in Love Live!. Some of her other anime roles include Shizuka Shinshi in Boarding School Juliet, Agira/Aki Miyashita in Kaiju Girls, Kana Uehara in Re-Kan!, Ruka Sovagasky in Venus Project: Climax, Hijiri in FLCL Alternative, and Persephone the Second in Dropkick on My Devil!. She has also performed theme songs for Venus Project: Climax, Boarding School Juliet, and Digimon Universe: Appli Monsters.

Anime Central will be taking place May 15-17, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare and Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.

Source: ANN

Anime Central Announces Rie Tanaka as Guest

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Anime Central has announced that anime voice actress Rie Tanaka will be a guest at their next convention.

Tanaka’s credits include Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke in Strike Witches, Maria in Hayate the Combat Butler, Chizuru Aizawa in Squid Girl, Sammy in Time Of Eve, Yuri Koigakubo in Toradora!, Lacus Clyne in Mobile Suit Gundam Seed, Chi in Chobits, Suigintō in Rozen Maiden, Maho Nishizumi in Girls und Panzer, and Kirie Fujō in The Garden of Sinners.

Anime Central will be taking place May 15-17, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare and Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.

Source: ANN

VIZ Media Announces Special Guests, Activities and Retail Exclusives for Anime Central 2019

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

VIZ Media will participate in this year’s Anime Central, which takes place from May 17-19, 2019 in Rosemont, Illinois at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center and the adjacent Hyatt Regency O’Hare. VIZ Media will be located in Booth #IND 7 in the Exhibit Hall. Complete details on Anime Central 2019 are available at: acen.org.

Attendees are invited to join VIZ Media in welcoming Megalobox English voice cast members Kaiji Tang and Lex Lang, who will participate in a panel and signing session. Fan favorites from Sailor Moon, Stephanie Sheh and Sandy Fox, will also attend as special guests. Join them at a variety of convention activities.

ACen attendees will learn the latest on a wide range of upcoming releases and other news during the official VIZ Media and SHONEN JUMP panels and celebrate the Guardians of Love and Justice at the Official Sailor Moon panel. Throughout the weekend, the VIZ Media booth will offer a wide variety of retail products available for purchase. VIZ will also host fun booth activities including a Sailor Moon-themed photo-opportunity.

Friday, May 17, 2019

1 – 2pm VIZ Media Industry Panel Feat. MEGALOBOX Voice Cast
Live Events 3

Join the VIZ Media crew and some very special guests from the cast of Megalobox as we talk about the latest and greatest in anime and manga. We’ll be making announcements, showing off exclusive first looks at new titles, giving away prizes, and having a grand old time. There might even be jokes.

3 – 4pm MEGALOBOX English Voice Cast Signing
Autographs 2

Megalobox voice actors Kaiji Tang (Joe) and Lex Lang (Yuri) will take part in this special autograph session. Participants will receive a free limited edition Megalobox poster. Tickets will be distributed Friday morning starting at 11 AM from the Anime Central Autograph Booth.

Saturday, May 18, 2019

12 – 1pm Official SHONEN JUMP Panel
Live Events 3

Hang out with the English language editors of the world’s most popular manga. We’ve got exciting news about the latest developments on new series, all-time fan favorites, and what we’re doing to bring you the world’s best manga. We’ll also have amazing prizes up for grabs.

3 – 4pm Official SAILOR MOON Panel
Live Events 2

Your friends from VIZ Media celebrate everything Sailor Moon. Get ready for a festive time filled with news, updates, special guests and prizes. All attendees will receive a special treat while supplies last, so, in the name of the Moon, don’t miss it.

5 – 6pm SAILOR MOON English Voice Cast Signing
Autographs 2

Join Sailor Moon voice actors Stephanie Sheh (Sailor Moon) and Sandy Fox (Chibi Moon) for a special autograph session. Participants will receive a free poster. Tickets will be distributed Saturday morning starting at 11 AM from the Anime Central Autograph Booth.

VIZ Media Anime Central 2019 Retail Exclusives

The VIZ Media booth (#IND 7) will offer a variety of must-have convention exclusives. Each purchase comes with a special VIZ Media exclusive, limited edition tote bag available in two distinct designs. Notable VIZ Media ACen exclusives and presales include:

Exclusive Sailor Moon Sailor Stars shirt ($20)

Exclusive Collectible Enamel Pins

  • One-Punch Man Pin Set ($18)
  • JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Golden Wind Pin ($20)
  • Homestuck Pin Set ($10)

Early Release Manga – Available Exclusively Before Street Date

  • Komi Can’t Communicate Volume 1 ($10)
  • My Hero Academia Volume 19 ($10)

Nier: Automata Short Story Long & Long Story Short Discounted Novel Bundle ($22)

Anime Central Announces Kiyono Yasuno as Guest

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Anime Central has announced that voice actress Kiyono Yasuno will be a guest at their upcoming convention.

Yasuno made her major debut in 2011 as Kizuna Todoroki in the Kizuna Ichigeki anime film. Her other roles include Macross Delta‘s Kaname Buccaneer, Aikatsu!‘s Sakura Kitaōji, Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend‘s Megumi Katō, Wake Up, Girls!‘s Tina Kobayakawa, Ushio & Tora‘s Mayuko Inoue, and Overlord II‘s Renner.

Anime Central will be taking place May 17-19, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare and Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.

Source: ANN

Anime Central Hosts the U.S. Premiere of the Second Made in Abyss Compilation Film

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Sentai Filmworks has announced that its release of Made in Abyss: Wandering Twilight (Made in Abyss: Hōrō Suru Tasogare), the second Made in Abyss compilation anime film, will premiere at this year’s Anime Central event on May 17, 2019 at 8:30 p.m. The premiere will include a red carpet event, and director Masayuki Kojima, music producer Hiromitsu Iijina, and composer Kevin Penkin will attend a Q&A session.

Anime Central 2019 will take place from May 17-19, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare and Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.

Source: ANN