 Press Release: AniMinneapolis is very happy to welcome voice actor Greg Ayres and director Shinichi Watanabe (Nabeshin) to the 2012 Minneapolis anime convention, happening June 29 - July 1, 2012. Guests for AniMinneapolis now include Quinton Flynn, Sonny Strait, Vic Mignogna, Wendy Powell, Nabeshin, Greg Ayres, Rob "Vash" Lewis, Lewis "Linkara" Lovhaug, Fuzzy Machete, Soup or Villainz, Mattari 2600, StarF, Dr. Awkward, and YTCracker. AniMinneapolis happens at the Ramada Mall of America in Minneapolis. Greg Ayres can usually be found rockin' out somewhere, whether animated or not. From the loud-mouthed Hideki in Nerima Daikon Brothers, to Koyuki, singing with the the band in Beck:Mongolian Chop Squad, he's always glad to shake things up a bit. He is thrilled to be able to add the roles of Uesugi Kenshin in Sengoku Basara, Seikechi Tayama in Oh Edo Rocket, and Abe in Big Windup to his list of new roles. He can also be head as Son Goku in Saiyuki, Chrono in Chrono Crusade, Kaoru Hitachiin in Ouran High School Host Club, Yuki in The Wallflower, Leo in Ghost Stories, Satoshi Hiwatari in DNAngel, Kaworu Nagisa in the Director's Cut of Neon Genesis Evangelion, Negi Springfield in Negima, Heihachi in Samurai 7, Jr. in Xenosaga:The Animation, Tsujido in Speed Grapher, Roan in Ragnorok The Animation, Yamazaki in Welcome to the NHK, Nowy in Glass Fleet, Gau Ban in Shadow Skill, Pope Alessandro XVIII in Trinity Blood, and a bunch of other titles he'll probably forget to mention. Funimation has recently announced that Greg will voice the role of Kouta Tsuchiya in it's upcoming release of Baka and Test. Shinichi Watanabe (aka "Nabeshin") is known to anime fans as a larger-than-life, iconic figure with an outrageous sense of humor. He directed the comedy anime series Excel Saga, Nerima Daikon Brothers, and Puni Puni Poemy, which feature frenetic pacing and appearances by his animated alter ego, a mysterious, recurring character with an afro and distinctive outfit who is tangential to the story. Nabeshin has also served as series director for The Wallflower and Tenchi Muyo GXP, and he can be found in these series as well, in cameo or supporting roles. Nabeshin has been quoted as saying that he places great importance in making viewers laugh. Stating that he values laughter as much as tears, his preference is to motivate viewers to have fun and enjoy a show. He reasons that his success stems from provoking the same, strong emotional investment—in a humorous way—as a traditional, sentimental story does. Nabeshin has also written lyrics for the opening songs of Excel Saga and Tenchi Muyo GXP, and has served as storyboarder and episode director for a variety of other anime series. Nabeshin will be doing numerous panels at the convention, including Q&A sessions, an 18+ panel, and more! Both Greg & Nabeshin will appear in panels together, as Greg has been a voice actor in many shows directed by Nabeshin. AniMinneapolis features over 100 different panels and events, with featured events including a Nerdcore concert, the NOS high-performance gaming lounge, and tons of panels and discussions with the convention's guests of honor. Attendees can register online for only $30 at http://animinneapolis.com/registration
Saturday, 25 February 2012
GM
 Press Release: AniMinneapolis 2012 is excited to announce that Vic Mignogna, voice of Edward Elric, Tamaki Suou, and many other characters will be appearing at the 2012 Minneapolis anime convention. AniMinneapolis will be held in Bloomington, Minnesota at the Ramada Mall of America from June 29 - July 1, 2012. Vic has been acting for stage and screen since he was 8 years old. But he started his career in anime a little over ten years ago as Vega in Streetfighter II. Since then Vic has been in more than a hundred and fifty shows and video games, known for such roles as Edward Elric in Fullmetal Alchemist, Tamaki Suou in Ouran High School Host Club, Fai in Tsubasa Chronicle, Dark in DN Angel, Kurz in Full Metal Panic, Broly in Dragonball Z, Kougaijji in Saiyuki, Ikkaku in Bleach, Yukito in Air, Takanaga in Wallflower, Tatsu in Peacemaker, Luciano in Code Geass, Virgil Walsh in Trinity Blood, Hikaru in Macross and many more. Currently Vic is playing roles in the new Wolverine and Iron Man series on G4. He's also playing Zero in Vampire Knight, and Yoshimori in Adult Swim's Kekkaishi. He is also back in the role of Edward for Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, playing Death Scythe in Soul Eater, as well as Pokemon, Naruto, Bleach and several others. Vic has also voiced roles in a large number of video games including Soul Calibur, Disgaea, Persona III, Sonic Colours, Project Sylpheed, DBZ, Bleach, FMA and more. But even longer than his voice acting, Vic has been a professional music composer / singer / producer who has written and produced hundreds of pieces for TV, radio and CD. He sings the themes for shows like One Piece & DBGT, and has produced several CDs of his own original music, all available on iTunes. Finally, in addition to anime and music, Vic has a degree in film and is deeply involved as an actor and director in several web series like “Nuka Break”, “Starship Farragut”, and is executive producing a brand new TOS based series "Star Trek Continues". Vic works regularly writing, producing and directing video and film productions of all kinds. The Minneapolis anime convention is also excited to announce the performance of the Soup or Villainz at the convention. Formed in 2009, the Soup Or Villainz base their operations out of South Bend, IN. This group of high class villains consists of Remi-son and Viet Vu with a slew of henchmen and henchwomen. These Soup Or Villainz are out for world domination...not for power but because its just something to do. Along with their hypnotizing beats and lyrical mysticism, they use their strong intellects to turn the youth into mindless zombies one song at a time. Vic will be appearing alongside other voice actors such as Quinton Flynn (Reno, Axel, Iruka, Deidara, Jonny Quest, Timon, Speed Racer), Sonny Strait (Krillin, Lupin III, Maes Hughes), and other yet-to-be-announced guests. The Soup Or Villainz will be performing alongside nerd rap headliner YTCracker, along with Dr. Awkward and StarF. All guests will be available for autographs during the weekend, in addition to their own personal Q&A sessions. AniMinneapolis 2012 will feature over sixty different events and panels, including free autograph signings, cosplay contests, anime screenings, video game tournaments, a Nerdcore concert, guest of honor Q&A sessions, and many others including dozens of fan-lead panels. There will also be a dealers room and artists alley for buying awesome anime swag. The convention will be held the Ramada Hotel near Mall of America from June 29 - July 1, 2012. Hotel rooms at the Ramada are only $99 per night, and can be booked online at http://animinneapolis.com/location Registration for AniMinneapolis is $25 until April 15th, $30 thereafter until pre-registration closes on June 10th. Walk-up registration is expected to be available at the door for $35. The convention does not yet have an official attendance cap, but a cap may be announced if the convention expects over 2,000 attendees. Attendees are encouraged to pre-register to get the best deal. Registration can be found online at http://animinneapolis.com/registration.
Sunday, 27 November 2011
GM
 Press Release: AniMinneapolis, the second largest anime convention in Minnesota, is excited to announce the return of Nerdcore rapper YTCracker to the convention. The three-day anime festival will feature tons of events, including several autograph signings, Q&A panels, and a Nerdcore concert. Registration for the convention is currently only $25 per person. YTCracker is a rapper, former cracker, and Internet entrepreneur. YTCracker began producing rap music in 1998 in the genre that has since become known as nerdcore hip hop. YTCracker is a self-proclaimed “jack of all trades”, also making a name for himself as a professional disc jockey, computer programmer, graphics designer and webmaster. His website can be found at http://www.ytcracker.com/ YTCracker will be headlining a Nerdcore concert with other Nerdcore rappers, who include Dr. Awkward and StarF from Scrubclub Records. Detailed information about AniMinneapolis's many guests can be found online at http://animinneapolis.com/guests Other convention events include a Cosplay Masquerade, Anime Showings, two Rave Dances, a Formal Ball, a Dealer's Room, an Artist's Alley, Video Game Tournaments, and more. There were over 60 different panels, workshops, and events at the 2011 AniMinneapolis anime convention, which brought together over 1200 attendees. Attending the convention costs only $25 for a weekend pass, if purchased by April 15, 2012. Pre-registered attendees get faster check-in at the convention. Attendees can pre-register at http://animinneapolis.com/registration Hotel rooms can be booked by convention attendees for only $99 per night at the Ramada Mall of America. More information can be found at http://animinneapolis.com/location
Wednesday, 02 November 2011
GM
Press Release: AniMinneapolis is excited to announce that Sonny Strait will be appearing at the 2012 Anime Minneapolis convention, in addition to the return of Nerdcore rapper Dr. Awkward. AniMinneapolis had over 1200 attendees and 11 guests in 2011, and will be returning even bigger for 2012. The convention is scheduled for June 29 - July 1, 2012 at the Ramada Inn just outside of the Mall of America. Dr. Awkward is a Scrub Club Records Nerdcore rapper with several hit songs and performances at Nerdapalooza and after parties at Comic Con, Florida's Nerd Invasion, and Texas' Comicpalooza. In 2009, Dr. Awkward released his first solo project "Next Gen," in which Doc proclaims that he is the future of Nerdcore Hip Hop. The EP was hailed as an instant classic, with hits like "Geekquilibrium" and "Imposter." Dr. Awkward release his latest album, "Unlimited" in April 2010, which features an amazing fusion of Nerdcore, Hip Hop, and R&B. Sonny Strait is known for several voices, ranging from Krillin in DBZ to Lupin III in Lupin III. He's also known as an illustrator for one of the most famous, independently published comic book series Elfquest. Sonny Strait has over 20 years of experience in the arts. Besides Dragonball Z’s Krillin he has worked on many popular animated characters including Maes Hughes from Full Metal Alchemist, Usopp from One Piece and Cartoon Network’s laid back, robot host Toonami Tom. He has also worked as a writer and director on several TV series including Dragonball Z, Case Closed and Lupin the Third. Both Sonny Strait and Dr. Awkward will be doing panels and giving out autographs, and Dr. Awkward will be performing at the AniMinneapolis Nerdcore concert. Other convention events include anime screenings, a date auction, a formal dance, two rave dances, free ramen, and dozens of panels, workshops, and events. AniMinneapolis is a three-day anime convention, focusing on Japanese animation, arts, and pop culture. Over a thousand anime fans came to AniMinneapolis last year. The convention focuses on several exciting events, which include a cosplay masquerade, anime screenings, cultural and fan panels, and video game tournaments. In addition, there is a dealer's room filled with anime vendors, and an artist alley featuring several great artists. Hotel rooms for the convention are only $99 a night at the Ramada, and can be found online at http://animinneapolis.com/location Registration to attend the convention can be done in advance for only $25 per person until April 15th. Attendees can also register at the door, if there is enough space available, for $35 per person. More details are on the convention's website: http://www.animinneapolis.com/ 
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
GM
Press Release: AniMinneapolis, the second-largest anime convention in Minnesota, is excited to announce the return of voice actor Quinton Flynn and Nerdcore performer StarF. Quinton and StarF will be appearing in addition to a number of soon-to-be-announced guests at the convention, which is happening June 29 - July 1, 2012 at the Ramada Mall of America Hotel. Quinton’s voice has been burning up film and television since he first arrived in Los Angeles from his native Cleveland. He is an A-list voice actor, having played such famous animated characters as Jonny Quest, Spiderman, Speed Racer, The Human Torch, Timon, Snowbell in Stuart Little, just to name a few. His television and film appearances include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, King of Queens, Animaniacs, Woody Woodpecker, Robot Chicken, and many more. His best known roles in video game franchises have been his work providing the english voices of Raiden in the Metal Gear Solid series, Axel in Kingdom Hearts II, and Reno in Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children the motion picture. If you’re hip to the anime scene you’ll know him as Iruka-sensei and Deidara in Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, Marcus Damon in Digimon Data Squad, and Carl in Blood+, to name a few. Submerged in the Minneapolis, Minnesota music scene (yes, it exists!), StarF is as much of an artist as he is a fan of Hip Hop. After writing lyrics for years and realizing he needed to find a way to transmute his words into song, he began his journey into rapping around April of 2006. After years of hard work and improvement, he finally found his way to Scrub Club, which was not just another record label, but a collection of people who he could relate to and call his family. Raised by internet culture and obsessed with music, StarF blends a mixture of poetics and edgy humor into everything he produces. Every new project is approached as the beginning of something that will better himself rather than a means to an end, and as so, StarF is consistently progressing and leveling up within the Nerdcore community. While socially awkward to a noticeable degree, StarF still loves everyone in the community he meets. Despite any awkwardness, he will never hesitate to grab a mic and rock it for a crowd. AniMinneapolis is a three-day anime convention, focusing on Japanese animation, arts, and pop culture. Over a thousand anime fans came to AniMinneapolis last year. The convention focuses on several exciting events, which include a cosplay masquerade, anime screenings, cultural and fan panels, and video game tournaments. In addition, there is a dealer's room filled with anime vendors, and an artist alley featuring several great artists. Registration to attend the convention can be done in advance for only $25 per person until April 15th. Attendees can also register at the door, if there is enough space available, for $35 per person. More details are on the convention's website: http://www.animinneapolis.com
Thursday, 29 September 2011
GM
Press Release: AniMinneapolis is excited to announce that the 2012 AniMinneapolis anime convention will be held June 29 – July 1, 2012 at the Ramada Mall of America in Bloomington, Minneapolis. After its triumphant first year, with over 1200 unique attendees, AniMinneapolis is excited about moving to Bloomington, where many other fan conventions in Minneapolis are held. Registration prices for AniMinneapolis 2012 will be the same as last year. It is only $25 to register through April 15, 2012, $30 through June 10th, or $35 at the door to register for the full weekend. More registration information can be found online at http://animinneapolis.com/registration Rooms at the Ramada Mall of America are only $99 per night. They can be reserved either online, or by calling the hotel at 877-731-8238 and mentioning group code "CGANMP". Events at AniMinneapolis include everything from a cosplay masquerade to a special Nerdcore concert, which organizers expect to return in 2012. Additional events include a rave dance, anime screenings, video gaming, table top gaming, an artist alley, a dealer's room, and several dozen panels, workshops, and events. Guests from last year included Quinton Flynn, Chris Rager, Spike Spencer, Shannon Townsend, Richard Townsend, YT Cracker, Dr. Awkward, Chris Cason, StarF, Dr. Frenchy Lunning, and Greg Ayres. AniMinneapolis is a three-day festival focusing on Japanese arts and animation, while also including other aspects of popular culture. More information about the convention can be found at the official website at http://animinneapolis.com/
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
GM
 Press Release: AniMinneapolis is glad to welcome Chris Cason to the Minneapolis anime convention happening July 8-10, 2011. Guests for Anime Minneapolis now include Quinton Flynn, Chris Rager, Spike Spencer, Shannon Townsend, Richard Townsend, YT Cracker, Dr. Awkward, and Chris Cason. AniMinneapolis will occur at The Northland Inn in Brooklyn Park, MN, a suburb of Minneapolis.
For over ten years, Chris Cason has participated in almost every facet of anime production. He has been associated with numerous projects (exclusively for FUNimation Entertainment) in a voice acting, Anime Diaglogue Replacement directing, or scriptwriting capacity. Some of his work has been featured on Spike TV, The Independent Film Channel (IFC), Nicktoons, The Cartoon Network, and The CW.
Chris’s best known voice credits include: “Gluttony” in Fullmetal Alchemist, “Tien Shinhan” and “Mr. Popo” in Dragonball Z (and returning as “Mr. Popo” in Dragonball Z Kai), “Holy Roman Empire” in Hetalia Axis Powers, “Jack the Ripper” in Soul Eater, “Boo” and “Whitey” in Shin-Chan, “Chamo” in Negima, “Babbit” in Kodocha, “Taruru” in Sgt. Frog, and “Genzo” in Oh! Edo Rocket, among many others. He can also be heard in: Case Closed, Gunslinger Girl, Basilisk, Ouran High School Host Club, Suzuka, Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles, Black Cat, Darker Than Black, Bamboo Blade, Kaze no Stigma, Aquarion, One Piece, Big Windup!, D. Gray-Man, Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad, RIN, Speed Grapher, and Summer Wars.
Some of his ADR directing and assistant ADR directing credits include: DBZ Uncut, Dragonball, Dragonball GT, Yu Yu Hakusho, Negima, Kodocha, Galaxy Railways, Baki the Grappler, School Rumble, Hell Girl, Kaze no Stigma, Bamboo Blade, Birdy the Mighty: Decode, Initial D, and Tsubasa Tokyo Revelations. He has also been part of video games, voicing random ghouls and specters for Ghostbusters: The Video Game, and as one of the contributing guitarists in Guitar Hero 3.
AniMinneapolis features well over fifty different events, ranging from its Masquerade, Nerdcore Concert, and Video Game Tournaments to various fan-run panels and discussions. Every room in the convention center hotel is a suite with a seperate living area, and rooms cost only $99 per night. Rooms can be booked by calling The Northland Inn at 800-441-6422.
For more information, visit http://www.animinneapolis.com/
Early pre-registration at the low $25 rate ends May 20th. Registrations will be welcome at the door for $35 per person.
AniMinneapolis is excited to announce additional guests of honor: voice actor Chris Rager, voice actor Spike Spencer, and nerdcore performer Dr. Awkward. AniMinneapolis is an exciting three day gathering of anime fans, industry professionals, and gamers. This minneapolis anime convention will be held July 8-10, 2011 at The Northland Inn in Minneapolis, MN.
Chris Rager is an American voice actor for Funimation studios. More notable performances are as Mr. Satan and King Yemma on "Dragonball Z", as well as, Arlong the leader of the fish people on the popular "One Piece". Chris has been seen in national and regional T.V. commercial ads like Taco Bell, Southwest Airlines and Visa. Although he enjoys the T.V. exposure, Christopher holds voice acting closer to his heart. You may have also heard Chris in Animes such as Blue Gender, Case Closed, Black Cat, Desert Punk, Lupin III, Full Metal Alchemist, Yu Yu Hakusho, Samuri 7 and Sgt. Frog. Chris has also been heard in such video games Spike out: Battle Street, Stuntman Ignition, Bloodrayne, Roadkill and many others. Chris always looks forwards to his next voice over role, hoping he can bring a high level of talent and professionalism to such characters.
Spike Spencer has been a voice actor since the early nineties. He has voiced hundreds of episodes of anime, including titles such as Evangelion, Battle Angel, Suikoden, Orphen, Spriggan, Nadesico, Buso Renkin, and Bleach. Spike is also an accomplished actor, previously working with stars such as Tommy Lee Jones, Sandra Bullock, Frank Langella, and Scott Glenn. In addition, Spike Spencer has voiced many radio and television commercials, video games like World of Warcraft, and several other projects.
Dr. Awkward is a Scrub Club Records Nerdcore rapper with several hit songs and performances at Nerdapalooza and after parties at Comic Con, Florida's Nerd Invasion, and Texas' Comicpalooza. In 2009, Dr. Awkward released his first solo project "Next Gen," in which Doc proclaims that he is the future of Nerdcore Hip Hop. The EP was hailed as an instant classic, with hits like "Geekquilibrium" and "Imposter." Dr. Awkward release his latest album, "Unlimited" in April 2010, which features an amazing fusion of Nerdcore, Hip Hop, and R&B. Dr. Awkward's full bio and some sample tracks can be found at http://scrubclubrecords.com/doc/about.html
AniMinneapolis will bring several amazing guests and tons of awesome events to The Northland Inn in July. Featured events include the cosplay masquerade, cosplay photoshoots, a rave dance, anime showings, video games, table top games, an artist alley, and a dealer's room. Some of the panels and other events happening include a formal ball, a Team Rocket panel, a ConSuite, Cosplay Chess, Teaching Yourself Japanese, and Animation Production, among many others.
More information can be found online at http://www.animinneapolis.com/
Press Release for April 28th, 2011
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
GM
AniMinneapolis, the newest and most exciting Minneapolis anime convention, is excited to announce the appearance of voice actor Quinton Flynn, and a musical performance by Nerdcore artist YTCracker. AniMinneapolis is a three-day anime convention that costs $25 to pre-register, which will be held at The Northland Inn in Minneapolis, MN.
Quinton’s voice has been burning up film and television since he first arrived in Los Angeles from his native Cleveland. He is an A-list voice actor, having played such famous animated characters as Jonny Quest, Spiderman, Speed Racer, The Human Torch, Timon, Snowbell in Stuart Little, just to name a few. His television and film appearances include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, King of Queens, Animaniacs, Woody Woodpecker, Robot Chicken, and many more.
His best known roles in video game franchises have been his work providing the english voices of Raiden in the Metal Gear Solid series, Axel in Kingdom Hearts II, and Reno in Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children the motion picture. If you’re hip to the anime scene you’ll know him as Iruka-sensei and Deidara in Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, Marcus Damon in Digimon Data Squad, and Carl in Blood+, to name a few. Quinton Flynn's website can be found at http://www.quintonflynn.com/
YTCracker is a rapper, former cracker, and Internet entrepreneur. YTCracker began producing rap music in 1998 in the genre that has since become known as nerdcore hip hop. YTCracker is a self-proclaimed “jack of all trades”, also making a name for himself as a professional disc jockey, computer programmer, graphics designer and webmaster. His website can be found at http://www.ytcracker.com/v2011/
Quinton will be signing autographs, answering questions from fans, and talking about his work throughout the weekend. YTCracker will be performing at a concert at the convention to include more artists to be announced.
Detailed information about AniMinneapolis can be found online at http://www.animinneapolis.com
Events at AniMinneapolis will include a costume contest and cosplay masquerade, anime screenings, a dealer's room, an artist's alley, photoshoots, and much more. Convention hotel rooms are all suites, and they are only $99 per night. Registration for AniMinneapolis is $25 through May 20th, and can be done online at http://www.animinneapolis.com/registration
Press Release for April 7th, 2011
Wednesday, 02 February 2011
GM
AniMinneapolis, an anime convention happening July 8-10 in Minneapolis, is excited to announce guests Richard Townsend and Shannon Townsend. AniMinneapolis is a brand-new anime convention, featuring cosplay, anime, video games, a rave, free ramen, dealers, artists, and more. More information about the convention can be found online at http://www.animinneapolis.com/
After a stint as a writer for A2 Press, a gaming company out of Chicago, Richard decided to try his hand at working alongside his wife Shannon. Richard's main focus of late is the webcomic "Otaku -no- Yen" (aka. Geeks Without Money), which updates twice a week. Richard is also developing a card game that Studio ONY hopes to release in the next few years, as well as a brand new comic project that will take Studio ONY into new and exciting directions. He also plays a mean round of Rock Band and loves to kill zombies.
Shannon has been drawing almost her entire life, but at the age of 16 she discovered Anime, and she's never been the same since. Self taught in the art style of Anime and Manga, Shannon has worked on numerous freelance projects over the years for everything from board games to websites and children's books. She now spends her time working on Otaku -no- Yen and planning Studio ONY's upcoming comic projects with her husband and writer Richard. When she isn't drawing, she's a belly dance instructor and poi spinner.
More about Richard and Shannon can be found online at http://www.otakunoyen.com/
Registration for AniMinneapolis is only $20 through March 20th. AniMinneapolis will also be accepting artist alley and dealer registrations in late February.
Press Release for February 1st, 2011
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