Press Release: Anime Expo 2011 has announced Tetsuro Araki, Masayoshi Tanaka and Kentaro Hashimoto of Madhouse Studios as Guests of Honor. The trio will be present for a special July 2nd screening of the acclaimed zombie apocalypse series "HIGHSCHOOL OF THE DEAD" and will host a creator's panel at Anime Expo, when it returns to the L.A. Convention Center from July 1 - 4, 2011.

Tetsuro Araki has engaged with a number of animated TV series, including "Di Gi Charat Nyo" and "GUNGRAVE," as a Madhouse staff. He makes a shocking directorial debut, with the animation adaptation of the comic series "DEATH NOTE." Since then he has directed the vampiric saga "Kurozuka" and adapted the zombie apocalypse "Highschool of the Dead." Mr. Araki is now working with Production I.G. on his new series "Guilty Crown."

Anime Expo® is pleased to announce today that Japanese musical artist, MELL, will be an official Guest of Honor at its July convention. Anime Expo, North America's largest anime and manga convention, is scheduled for July 1 – 4, 2010, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. MELL is scheduled to perform Friday evening, July 2, in Nokia Theater as well as participating in guest panels, meet-and-greets and autograph sessions.

MELL comes to Los Angeles as an accomplished vocalist, heavily influenced by the trance and techno genres. Her 2006 debut single, Red fraction, was a smash hit through which she rose to instant fame. MELL's subsequent singles and debut album, MELLSCOPE, helped establish her as the successful, one-of-a-kind artist that she is today. Her unique sound and extraordinary stage performances have proven to be the driving force behind her increasingly large fan following.

"We are honored to host MELL at this year's Anime Expo," said Convention Chairperson Joyce Lim. "Fan support and excitement continues to grow with each 2010 Guest of Honor announcement, and we trust their reaction to MELL will be no different."

MELL has lent her vocal talents to various anime titles, singing the openings for Rideback, Sky Girls and Black Lagoon. She is also featured on the soundtracks of Hayate the Combat Butler and KILL, a live-action feature film by Mamoru Oshii.

MELL joins Anime Expo's 2010 line-up along with musical supergroup AKB48; voice actor Katsuyuki Konishi; Eden of the East trio Kenji Kamiyama, Satoru Nakamura and Tomohiko Ishii; voice actor Kyle Hebert; animation director Toshihiro Kawamoto; seiyuu Yuu Asakawa; J-rock band Sophia; and anime director Shinichi "Nabeshin" Watanabe. To stay updated on all of the latest Anime Expo 2010 news, follow us on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook and check us out on YouTube.

To register for Anime Expo 2010, please visit our website.

About Anime Expo®
Anime Expo is located in Los Angeles and is the nation's largest anime and manga convention. The Expo serves to foster trade, commerce and the interests of the general public and animation industry. This event serves as a key meeting place for the general public to express their interest and explore various aspects of both anime and manga, as well as for members of the industry to conduct business. AX 2010 will be held July 1 – July 4, 2010, at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Southern California. More information can be found at www.anime-expo.org.

About the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation
The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to popularize and educate the American public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property, Anime Expo®. More information can be found at www.spja.org.

Press Release for May 7th, 2010