--Annual Anime Event Draws More than 350K Attendees; Economic Impact Estimated 
to be More Than $100 Million to the Greater Los Angeles Area 

Drawing more than 350,000* attendees from across the world Anime Expo (AX), the 
largest anime event held in North America each year, once again welcomes some 
of the most passionate Japanese pop culture fans to the Los Angeles Convention 
Center July 4-7, including a special Pre-Show Night on July 3. In its 28th 
year, AX is the preeminent event featuring the newest anime films, television 
series, fashion, video games, manga, dance, music concerts, exhibitors and 
exclusive convention merchandise, all combined to deliver unforgettable 
experiences to fans of anime and Japanese pop culture.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/926933/anime_expo_cosplay.jpg

"We are super excited with the AX 2019 line-up and know our fans will find 
plenty of events and activities to entertain and keep them engaged through-out 
the four-day show. From the exclusive screening of Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back 
-- Evolution and the impressive works from world-renowned composer Yoshihiro 
Ike, to crowd favorites like the Fashion Show and all of the fabulous cosplay, 
we encourage AX 2019 attendees to sample it all - creating many amazing and 
lasting memories," said Ray Chiang, CEO of The Society for the Promotion of 
Japanese Animation, AX's organizer.

AX 2019 features 400+ exhibitors, 19 premieres, 500+ artists and hundreds of 
hours of programming, as well as multiple programming tracks like Culture Day, 
Family Day and Career Day, many interactive events and 22 Guests of Honor and 
100+ industry appearances.

Keeping things mobile and with so many cool events to see, AX makes it easy for 
fans to know when and where to be with their own App. The Anime Expo 2019 
Mobile App ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2505181-1&h=2932069603&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anime-expo.org%2Fmobile-app%2F&a=Anime+Expo+2019+Mobile+App 
) is a virtual tour guide - turning a phone into a digital companion, 
accompanying fans on their journey while providing guidance and information 
about everything AX! Fans with smartphone access can get up-to-date schedule 
information, maps, guest information, exhibitor list, artist alley list, and 
more.

AX 2019 offers four-full days and nights jammed-packed with panel discussions, 
live performances and special appearances. Here are some must-see events:

4DX Anime Film Fest ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2505181-1&h=1289916491&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anime-expo.org%2F2019%2F06%2F06%2F4dx-anime-expo-present-first-annual-4dx-anime-film-fest%2F&a=4DX+Anime+Film+Fest 
) (July 3 & July 4 Regal LA Live Theater): At the first annual 4DX Anime Film 
Fest experience exclusive screenings of Detective Conan: Zero The Enforcer, 
Mobile Suit Gundam NT (Narrative) and Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the MOVIE -- A 
Wakening of the Trailblazer- enhanced with immersive, multi-sensory 4DX motion 
and environmental effects! In addition, a 30-minute Q&A panel with screenwriter 
and cast follows the Mobile Suit Gundam NT (Narrative) screening to celebrate 
the 40th anniversary of the series.

Music Galore: From DJ's, dance and AMVs to live concerts and karaoke, it 
wouldn't be AX without plenty of music-related events to choose from. Two 
musts: Yoshihiro Ike: Anime Soundtrack World ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2505181-1&h=796001413&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.showclix.com%2Fevent%2Fax19-ike-anime-soundtrack-world&a=Anime+Soundtrack+World 
) (July 7, 12:30 -- 2:30 pm, Main Events/Hall B): This international debut 
concert by legendary composer and musician Yoshihiro Ike is sure to awe the 
audience. Ike is one of the most recognized music composers in Japan, having 
worked on more than 100 titles in the last 20 years.  School idol group Aqours 
( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2505181-1&h=3795138673&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anime-expo.org%2Fguest%2Faqours%2F&a=Aqours 
) makes a return appearance with LOVE LIVE! SUNSHINE!! Aqours World LoveLive! 
in LA 〜BRAND NEW WAVE〜 (July 5, 7 p.m. & July 6, 1 p.m., The 
NOVO).

Artist Alley (Kentia Hall): A must-see are the more than 500 artists who 
showcase a variety of handmade creations for sale to attendees, including 
original artwork, prints, crafts, clothing and comic collections in what is the 
largest gathering of amateur and semi-professional artists at any convention. 
This year's featured artists are Shinnosuke Uchida, the world's only wall-manga 
live paint artist, and LA-based pop culture artist Jared Yamahata.

Anime Expo Fashion Show (July 5, 12:30 -- 3 p.m., Live Programing 1/Petree 
Hall): Japan is home to many of the most cutting-edge, fashion-forward trends 
in the world. AX takes pride in showcasing and introducing a variety of 
designers and their creations to the American market. Throughout the years, AX 
has featured authentic Japanese clothing brands, as well as a new generation of 
models and this year AX is honored to have Michelle Nguyen Bradley MC the 
Fashion Show. Designers include: h. NAOTO, Acryl CANDY, HYPLAND, 
amnesiA¶menesiA, Metamorphose and Hot Topic. In addition, in The Annex 
attendees are able to meet and get an autograph or photo from the designers and 
models, and shop each brand's offerings.

Charity Auction ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2505181-1&h=1676562849&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anime-expo.org%2Factivity%2Fcharity-auction%2F&a=Charity+Auction 
) (July 7, 10 a.m. -- 12:30 p.m. in Live Programming 3 (408 AB): AX is proud to 
give its support to a very worthy local organization Terasaki Budokan, and 
encourages fans to stop by the auction and bid on items donated by AX 2019 
Guests of Honor, and anime-related vendors and companies that will include 
signed merchandise, memorabilia, and original artwork. Terasaki Budokan's 
mission is to provide a facility in Downtown Los Angeles for youth, families 
and seniors that offers sports, community activities and opportunities to 
connect visitors to Japanese American culture and to a vibrant, sustainable 
Little Tokyo. Last year's Charity Auction raised nearly $18,000.

Masquerade & World Cosplay Summit US Finals (costumes) (July 6, 8 -- 11 p.m. 
Main Events/Hall B): AX encourages and embraces cosplay and the AX Masquerade 
is a celebration of cosplay and performance competition steeped in history of 
more than 20 years. AX is excited to welcome all of the performers who are 
hoping to win the US preliminary for World Cosplay Summit.

Gaming (Entertainment Hall): With more than 200 gaming stations, including 
eGaming and eSports arenas, tabletop, mobile and arcade games, AX 2019 delivers 
the latest from Dream League, PUBG, KONAMI, Fate/Grand Order and others. With 
tournaments, learn-to-play, and free-play sessions, there's something for 
everyone at all skill levels in the tabletop games section. eGaming fans can 
compete with Xbox, Nintendo, Playstation consoles, plus an arcade section to 
compete with others or just have fun. Additionally, fans can join the biggest 
names in the industry as they unveil their latest projects and releases during 
panels and workshops. 

During all show days, attendees who can't fit everything into their schedule 
can connect to the Anime Expo Livestream ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2505181-1&h=1835863501&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anime-expo.org%2Flive%2F&a=Anime+Expo+Livestream 
) channel to watch events in LP1/Petree Hall and exclusive interviews. For more 
information regarding Anime Expo please visit www.anime-expo.org.  For 
additional news and assets visit http://anime-expo.vporoom.com/.

* More than 350,000 turnstile for all show days; over 110,000 uniques

About SPJA

SPJA is a non-profit organization dedicated to popularize and educate the 
American public about Japanese entertainment and pop culture, as well as 
provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. For 
more information, please visit www.spja.org.

About Anime Expo

Anime Expo (AX) brings together fans and industry from Japan, the US, and all 
over the world for the largest celebration of Japanese pop culture in North 
America. Taking place every year since 1992, Anime Expo features the best in 
Japanese entertainment, music, fashion, and video games. For more information, 
visit www.anime-expo.org. 

SOURCE: Anime Expo

CONTACT: Don Williams, The Frame Shop, don@frameshoppr.com, 760-707-4589; Carol 
Knight, The Frame Shop, carol@frameshoppr.com, 760-450-7475