Today, AM2 announces more guests, Shinichi Ishizuka’s Gaku manga comes to an end, and Steins;Gate will not be getting a movie this fall.

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  This year1s highly anticipated summer event, AM2, June 15-17, 2012 that will be held in sunny Southern California (Anaheim, California) proudly announces the attendance of Japanese animator, designer and director (recipient of the 11th Animation Kobe/Individual award in 2006) Hiroshi Nagahama as an official 2012 Guest of Honor. Nagahama-san has been involved with some of the most popular animes of our time including FRUITS BASKET, MUSHISHI, REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA, X-MEN and DETROIT METAL CITY. More info and convention registration can be found at www.am2con.org

  Hiroshi Nagahama started his career at MADHOUSE as a mechanical designer for (THE) COCKPIT and was also a part of the production staff for AZUKI-CHAN. After leaving MADHOUSE, he became a freelancer and worked on the conceptual design for the REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA series and the storyboard writer and animation director for SEXY COMMAND-GAIDEN SUGOIYO! MASARU-SAN and OJAMARU. Nagahama-san was also involved with DORAEMON, POKEMON, FRUITS BASKET, KIMI NI TODOKE, X-MEN and was also the director for the highly acclaimed MUSHISHI (TV Series), DETROIT METAL CITY and HATSUNE MIKU music videos “DOWNLOADER” and “CHIME”.

  “We are so honored to have Nagahama-san join us at AM2,” states Convention Representative Chase Wang, “His talent is amazing, and our attendees will have an amazing time getting to know the man who has been involved with some of the most popular recent animes. Get your Passports today and join the fun!”

  3 Day Passport Holders that also stay within the official hotel room block will be treated to a “private” panel/meet-and-greet with Guests of Honor during the convention?the official hotel is the Anaheim Hilton Hotel.

  Please note that ALL Guest of Honor activities (i.e. panels, autographs, appearances, etc.) are ALL Passport preferred activities. There will also be a private Meet & Greet event for each Guest of Honor EXCLUSIVELY for Attendees that are 3 Day Passport Holders and Anaheim Hilton Room Block Attendees (room key proof is required).

  Please note that ALL film premiere events (i.e. ACE ATTORNEY, KAIBUTSU-KUN, KAIJI 2, etc.) will consist of an initial First screening (Passport ONLY & Hotel Priority) and a 2nd Screening (Passport Preferred & General Audience). All screenings are based upon seat availability.

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Today, Kaigai Manga Fest, Akiba Showroom, and Dir en Grey Documentary!

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Today, where are Mangaka-san and Assistant-san, Hero Live Special includes PreCure, and PreCure Musou is a lie?

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Today, Nico Nico Super Kaigi Convention loses 400 million yen, Kimi ni Todoke has 20 million plus in profits, and the first day of the Super Junior Super Show 4 concert draws 50,000 fans.

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Today, Anime Expo to showcase Animetal USA’s first American concert, Sony stock falls lowest in over 31 years, and Street Fighter X Tekken is coming to Windows PC.

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Today, Right Stuf! announces plan to re-publish Hetalia Axis Powers, May’n comes stateside, and Sharlto Copley will play the main villain in Spike Lee’s remake of Old Boy.

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  May’n (Accel World, Macross Frontier) to release new album on USA iTunes

  May 4, 2012 – J-Pop superstar May’n will release her recent albums “HEAT” and “If you…” in the USA iTunes music store on May 16, in conjunction with the singer’s upcoming American tour.

  May’n's latest release “HEAT” (2012) reached Oricon’s Top 10 in its first week of release, including recent Japanese anime theme songs “Brain Diver” (Phi Brain) and “Scarlet Ballet” (Aria the Scarlet Ammo / Hidan no Aria), plus “Giant Step” from her collaboration song for Kamen Rider Fourze.

  “If you…” (2011) features more songs from the vocalist’s catalog of popular Japanese anime/game/movie tie-ins, including “Ready! Go!” (Okami-san and her Seven Companions), “Moshimo kimi ga Negau no Nara” (Valkyria Chronicles 3: Unrecorded Chronicles), and “Shinjitemiru” (Incite Mill – 7 Day Death Game).

  May’n's most recent anime theme song “Chase the world” (from Accel World) will also be available for purchase on May 16.

  ROCK YOUR BEATS – USA Tour

  May’n will return to America in June 2012 for two live performances in Los Angeles and San Francisco. May’n will perform with a live band and meet American fans at a special autograph session for VIP ticket holders.

  Thursday, June 21 – Key Club, Los Angeles Saturday, June 23 – Yoshi’s, San Francisco

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Today, FUNimation announces the cast for Panty & Stocking, FUNimation will announce new series at Anime Central, and AM2 will welcome SIXH.

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  ADR Director – Collen Clinkenbeard , Head Writer – John Burgmeier

  Script Writers – Jamie Marchi, Leah Clark, Jared Hedges

  Fastener – Christopher Bevins, Corset – Chris Ayres

  Scanty – Colleen Clinkenbeard, Kneesocks – Cherami Leigh

  Brief – Joel McDonald, Chuck – Ian Sinclair

  Garterbelt – Christopher R. Sabat ,Stocking – Monica Rial, Panty – Jamie Marchi

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  FUNimation Entertainment Announces New Acquisitions at Anime Central

  Flower Mound, TX ? April 28, 2012 -FUNimation Entertainment announced today at Anime Central it has acquired the home media rights to the feature film King of Thorn and series Eureka 7: AO (Astral Ocean).

  In addition, FUNimation has acquired the simulcasts rights for Eureka 7: AO. Full episodes will begin on www.funimation.com during spring 2012.

  A brief synopsis for each series is listed below:

  Eureka 7: AO (Astral Ocean) ? The story is set on Okinawa’s isolated island of Iwado, which has seen a growing movement advocating a return to an autonomous government. Ao Fukai, a 13-year-old boy with a missing father, lives on the island with an old doctor named Toshio and is about to enter middle school. Ao’s mother was taken away a decade ago by unknown individuals. Naru Arata, Ao’s 13-year-old childhood friend and the story’s heroine, lives with her father, older sister, and grandmother. She has a “Yuta” power awakened within her due to an incident when she was young. A mysterious entity called “Secret” suddenly appears and launches an attack on the Scub Coral lifeform on the island. Ao launches a certain military FP called “Nirvash” aboard a Japanese military transport in his fervent desire to protect the island.

  King of Thorn: Panic spreads worldwide as the Medousa Virus?a fatal pandemic that solidifies the body to stone?threatens to wipe out the human race. 160 infected individuals are selected to be cryogenically frozen while a cure is developed. Kasumi is one of those chosen for the experimental program. Forced to enter without her twin sister, Shizuku, her distress multiplies when she awakens to find the facility overrun with thick, thorny vines and ravenous monsters. As Kasumi and six others fight a losing battle to escape this labyrinthine nightmare, questions cloud her distorted mind. Where is her sister? Why did their only salvation mutate into a deathtrap? If they survive, how much longer do they have to live?

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  AM2 WELCOMES GUEST OF HONOR SIXH AND THE U.S. WESTCOAST DEBUT OF THE FASHION ROCK OPERA

  Fashion Unites Visual Kei Artistry With the Imagery of. Popular with the 3Ghost-Kei2 Theme in an Epic Show

  LOS ANGELES, Calif. (April 27, 2012) -AM2 is proud to welcome the return of fashion designer, Sixh, as an official Guest of Honor as he will have the U.S. Westcoast debut performance of his Fashion Rock Opera that showcases his latest 3ghost-kei2 (gothic and host) themed line at a fashion show at this summer1s most anticipated anime, Japanese music and manga event! More info and attendee registration can be found at www.am2con.org

  The fashion line Sixh. unites visual-kei artistry with the imagery of popular host and hostess clubs. A new theme, ghost-kei, is created by combining the words 3gothic2 and 3host2 into 3ghost2. Combined with the live band performance and vocals by Sixh, himself, this will be a show that no fashionista can miss! Without a doubt, Sixh.1s cool, carefree ideas are not restricted by ordinary rules of fashion or society. More information can be found at www.s-inc.com/hnaoto@sixh/

  3We are blessed to have Sixh1s latest fashion sensation showcase their fashions at our event in such a unique and artistic way,2 states AM2 representative Chase Wang, 3Our attendees will have a truly amazing experience as they see fashions that stimulate all their senses and see a true artist at work!2

  Sixh. Biography Japanese designer Naoto Hirooka1s gothic and lolita fashion line h. NAOTO has accumulated positive reviews and praise from both Japanese and Western markets. After receiving positive stimulation from collaborations with charismatic visual-kei artists, h.NAOTO starts the 3h.ism2 project in the mid 2000s based on the theme of fashion and music co-existing in one entity.

  In 2007, the success of h.ism leads to collaboration with the young fashion design duo IBI and MINT. 3Sixh.2 is born.

  Started by IBI, the fashion line Sixh. unites visual-kei artistry with the imagery of popular host and hostess clubs. A new theme, ghost-kei, is created by combining the words 3gothic2 and 3host2 into 3ghost2. MINT launches the line with the New Japan Mode Collection featuring its relaxed character, 3MINT Neko2, and Six.h flourishes from there. Without a doubt, Sixh.1s cool, carefree ideas are not restricted by ordinary rules of fashion or society.

  Also in 2007, Sixh. expands from a fashion brand into a band with the same name. IBI sings vocals with MINT on the bass, joined by guitarist NARI . Sixh.1s unique musical presentation crosses the Western standard of 3rock2 with the fashions of ghost-kei.

  In 2010, Sixh.1s ladies1 collection 3MelT2 joins the line-up with designer MIKA in the lead. It mixes sexiness with a touch of devilish cuteness by using gorgeous butterflies and roses as the main motifs. IBI1s Ageha-kei fashion line is also in the works.

  h. NAOTO1s fashion line and band Sixh. is constantly adapting and merging with ever-evolving Japanese counterculture. At heart, Sixh. is the sixth sense beyond the five senses! http://www.s-inc.com/hnaoto/sixh/

  3 Day Passport Holders that also stay within the official hotel room block will be treated to a 3private2 panel/meet-and-greet with Guests of Honor during the convention-The official hotel is the Anaheim Hilton Hotel.

  Please note that ALL Guest of Honor activities (i.e. panels, autographs, appearances, etc.) are ALL Passport preferred activities. There will also be a private Meet & Greet event for each Guest of Honor EXCLUSIVELY for Attendees that are 3 Day Passport Holders and Anaheim Hilton Room Block Attendees (room key proof is required).

  Current AM2 Official Guests of Honor include Putumayo, Andrea Libman, Quinton Flynn and Toshihiro Kawamoto.

  Attendees can avoid the anticipated huge lines at autographs, premiere screenings, workshops, main events, concerts and panels by purchasing a Passport fast pass for the event. The Passport fast pass will also provide holders with premier seating options at Main Events and at Concert events as well as major discounts with theme parks (including Disneyland and the grand opening of Cars Land, Knotts Berry Farm, etc.), retailers and local restaurants. Bypass the lines and get your Passport today and experience the difference!

  AM2 current activities include Exhibit Hall, AMV1s, Arcade, Summer Festival, Behind the Voice Actors Studio, Masquerade, Dances, Fashion Shows, Table Top, Console Gaming, Workshops, Panels, Concerts and more!

  Brathzo, Icarus Kid, Kazha, Lucid and Momotoma join Summer Festival join other announced performer Ant1Nett

  AM2 Premieres, screenings and exclusive screenings include ACE ATTORNEY, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE STAR OF MILOS, KAIBUTSU-KUN THE MOVIE, KAIJI 2 and more!

  Current Major Sponsors Include: Anime News Network and Snakebyte USA.

Today, Crunchyroll will launch a Windows Phone app, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu collaborates with Ninagawa Mika, and an otaku gang just wanted to go see AKB48.

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Today, JManga will be adding new titles, Ashita no Joe promotes a healthy soft drink, and Kodansha confirms some more manga.

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Today, JManga will be adding new titles, Ashita no Joe promotes a healthy soft drink, and Kodansha confirms some more manga.

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