Gaming Angels at Anime Expo 09

Anime Expo is taking place later this week from July 2 -5 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Both Megan and I will be there for GamingAngels.com reporting on everything that is happening. Anime Expo provides a variety of activities for Anime fans from concerts to meeting their favorite anime artists. Today both THQ*ICE and FUNimation announced their Anime Expo plans.

THQ*ICE will be debuting their game Dragonica Online (http://dragonica.thqice.com/) at the convention. THQ*ICE will be at booth #428 in the H Hall. Visit the booth to get an Activation Key that gets you exclusive access to the game’s closed beta test this fall.

“We are excited to officially unveil Dragonica Online to our fans at this year’s Anime Expo and let them experience new content for the very first time,” said Aaron Dean, Marketing Manager for Dragonica Online. “As part of our commitment to our fans, everyone who stops by our booth will be able to demo new game content, receive special prizes and have the opportunity to get an Activation Key for our Closed Beta Test. We look forward to the event and the chance to get feedback on their experience which we’ll then use to create the best game possible.”

If you are unable to attend Anime Expo, you can register for the closed beta test at http://dragonica.thqice.com to receive a closed beta activation key.

FUNimation has a billion things going on at their booth, #301. Rather than try and summarize it, I’m going to list it all here for you to look over and decide what you want to attend.

● FUNimation’s world premiere of the English dubbed version of Hideaki Anno’s EVANGELION: 1.0 YOU ARE (NOT) ALONE on Friday, July 3, in Live Programming Room 1 at 5:30 pm. ADR Director Mike McFarland and voice actor Brina Palencia (Rei Ayanami) will be on had to introduce the film and a post-screening Q&A session.

EVANGELION: 1.0 YOU ARE (NOT) ALONE is the film sequel to the sci-fi animated series blockbuster “Neon Genesis Evangelion” (also written and directed by Hideaki Anno) which aired on Japanese television in the mid 1990’s.

Visit the FUNimation booth before the screening, starting at 3:30 pm, to get autographs from Mike and Brina or on Saturday, July 4, 2:30 – 4:00 pm.

● Celebrating the film that is simply called “EVA”, FUNimation and American Cosplay Paradise (ACP) are proud to present a recreation of the homeroom seen in the film. (Con vets: This is similar to the wildly popular Ouran High School Host Club cosplay event that featured in the FUNimation booth last year) Stop by the FUNimation booth throughout the weekend to interact with ACP cosplayers during this event.

● AX 2009 Guest of Honor Takashi Okazaki will be at the FUNimation booth for autographs for a limited time during the convention. Meet the creator of Afro Samurai on Friday, July 3 from 1:00 -2:00 pm.

● Veteran voice actor Vic Mignogna (“Fullmetal Alchemist”, “Ouran High School Host Club”, and more) will also be signing at the FUNimation booth during an exclusive ticketed event. Only the first 100 people to come to the FUNimation booth after the hall opens on Saturday, July 4 and request a ticket will secure a spot in line for Vic’s autograph later that day at 4:30 pm.

● Anime Expo will also be hosting screenings of several of the most popular series of the anime genre – include Blu-ray screenings! There will also be English dub premieres of “Gunslinger Girl Il Teatrino” and “Big Wind-up” that are not-to-miss events! Check your program guide or the FUNimation booth for a full list of titles and times!

● Get a sneak peek of the newest titles coming down the FUNimation turnpike at the appropriately named FUNimation Sneak Peek Panel on Friday, July 3 at 8:00 pm in LP Room 1.

● Please also attend our Industry Panel on Saturday, July 4 at 12:30 pm in LP Room 1 when we will share our latest news and notes and answer your questions.

● AX is also the only place you can purchase early releases of FUNimation DVD’s including the “Gungrave” box set and “Kaze No Stigma” Season 1 Part 1! Plus, don’t forget about exclusive gift with purchase items!

● FUNimation has worked with Anime Expo to create a limited edition “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” convention pin! This is only available at the FUNimation booth and a limited item — fewer than 200 were made!

See you at Anime Expo!