Archive for the ‘Guests’ Category

Sonny Strait Q&A

Saturday, May 12th, 2012

SONNY STRAIT Q&A

Maes Hughes may be dead, but that didn’t stop the man who brought him to life, Sonny Strait, from livening up a packed audience gathered to see his Q&A.

Powering such characters as “FullMetal Alchemist’s” Hughes and Krillin from “Dragon Ball Z,” Strait is also an accomplished director, writer, and artist. He has paired with Wendy Pini to create numerous volumes of “Elfquest” and also is the mind behind “We Shadows,” a webcomic that had its start as a manga released by TokyoPop.

Of the two series he is the best known for, he prefers “Dragon Ball Z” due to the simple fact he was afforded the opportunity to work on it longer. “My favorite line to yell is ‘Goku, where are you?!’” he stated, his perfect recreation of Krillin’s famous line eliciting a round of applause from the audience. “Krillin is basically Popeye on helium,” he revealed when a question arose about the character’s origin.

His favorite line of all time, however, stems from “FullMetal Alchemist”: “Don’t follow Daddy!” While Hughes’ death left him feeling, simply, “unemployed,” he did reveal that the episode resulted in many additional convention invites, often from very tearful con chairs.

While grateful for his employment as a voice actor, Strait’s true love is his creation of comics. Preferring the role of “cartoonist” (as such people draw AND write the work), he stresses the importance of synopsis. “Dave Sim told me that every cartoonist has 200 bad pages in them and that it’s best to get those out of the way immediately.” He went on to narrate one of his life’s most embarrassing moments that turned out to be a blessing in disguise: at his first comic book convention, a friend literally shoved him into Will Eisner. When asked if the papers he was holding acted as his portfolio, a sheepish Strait nodded yes and handed them over. A man whose influence in comics has resulted in a major award being named in his honor, Eisner stated “These are really good. I teach a class in New York and if you were in that class, you’d be one of my best students.”

In his free time, Strait enjoys reading manga and other comics, as well as playing in a band with his wife. When asked what the strangest thing he has ever been asked to autograph, he replied “It was like a clay model of the entire FMA cast that looked to be coated in red paint, but after closer inspection, it kind of looked like blood.”

You CAN follow Daddy on his website at sonnystrait.biz

Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia to Provide Cultural Programming at Zenkaikon

Monday, March 19th, 2012

Zenkaikon is happy to announce that members of Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia (JASGP) will be providing a variety of cultural programming at Zenkaikon 2012. JASGP members will be holding workshops on yukata and kimono dressing, as well as Japanese language workshops. Attendees will be able to visit their booth to try their hands at origami, and find out more about the Society’s efforts to increase understanding of Japanese culture in the Philadelphia region.

JASGP will also be collecting donations for the Philadelphia-Japan Disaster Relief Fund. Donations will support the Soma City Disaster Orphans Scholarship Fund, which provides stipends to primary and secondary school children and scholarships for college to child orphaned by the disaster.

“We’ve worked with JASGP for several years through sponsoring activities at their Sakura Sunday event. We’re thrilled that they’ve chosen to present at Zenkaikon,” says Zenkaikon’s Convention Chair Matilda Madden.

About the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia:

Established in 1994, the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia (JASGP) is an association of individuals, corporations and organizations in the Greater Philadelphia region. Its mission is to bring the peoples of Japan and United States closer together in understanding, appreciation and cooperation by promoting and encouraging a better understanding of the business, cultural, social, educational and political practices and customs of Japan and the United States.

JASGP members gain access to educational, cultural and social programs focusing on US-Japan relations, which also provide opportunities for developing personal relationships with members of both the Japanese and American communities. Membership is extended to individuals, non-profit organizations and corporations.

JASGP is the primary organization in the Greater Philadelphia region devoted to fostering relationships between Japanese and Americans. From networking events to the annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival and the Philadelphia-Japan Health Sciences Dialogue, from its Japanese Conversation Club to lectures and seminars, the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia offers numerous ways to get involved in the Japanese and American communities in Philadelphia.

http://www.japanphilly.org

About Zenkaikon:    

Since 2006, Zenkaikon has been bringing quality Japanese animation (anime), comics (manga), and popular culture themed events to the Philadelphia area. The convention is staffed completely by volunteers, who want to share their appreciation for these mediums with the Philadelphia region. Zenkaikon features a variety of activities including anime and live action screenings, educational panels and workshops, special guests, costume competitions, concerts, video and tabletop gaming, vendors, and more. Starting as a small one-day event, the convention has grown to welcome over three thousand attendees in 2011. Zenkaikon is run by the 501(c)(3) organization Zenkaikon Entertainment, Inc. which promotes knowledge and enjoyment of Japanese art, animation, and culture.

http://www.zenkaikon.com

Zenkaikon Announces Voice Actors, DJs, & Other Guests

Friday, February 10th, 2012

We are excited to welcome a variety of additional guests for Zenkaikon 2012, including voice actors, DJs, and cultural presenters. Read all about them below!

Sonny Strait

Sonny Strait is most recognized as the voice of Krillin on DragonBall Z, and as an illustrator for the comic book series Elfquest. He has over 20 years of experience in the arts. He has voiced many popular animated characters including Maes Hughes from FullMetal 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.

As a comic book artist, he has seventeen published works to date including his self-published series Mr. Average, featured in The Comics Journal, and Elfquest, which was published by both WARP Graphics and DC Comics. He also wrote and illustrated a graphic novel about a reluctant punk rock, faerie princess named Goat. The book, called We Shadows, was published by Tokyopop and was nominated by The American Library Association for Best Graphic Novel in 2008.

Currently, Sonny is reprising his roles in both the new DragonBall Z and FullMetal Alchemist series and plays the title role in the Xbox game S’plosion Man. He also illustrates Marvel Comic’s sketch cards for Rittenhouse.

http://sonnystrait.biz/

 

Michele Knotz

You may have heard of Michele Knotz from a little well-known anime series called Pokémon. Now in its 15th season, Michele has returned as the voice of Team Rocket’s Jessie and has picked up a few new Pokémon -  Woobat, Swoobat, Minccino, and the female Snivy. Before Season 14, Michele voiced May, Nurse Joy, the Pokédex, Piplup, Manaphy, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Chimecho, Beautifly, Masquerain, Dustox, Cacnea, and many others. She also voiced Misty for the Pokémon 10th Anniversary Special, The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon. In the Pokémon Special Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, Team Go-Getters Out of the Gate, she voiced Chikorita. Other anime roles include Hajime Yagi in The World of Narue, Takako Kawashima in Shootfighter Tekken, Matsumoto and various additional characters in To Heart, Razali, Cindy, Greta, and The Fairy in The Third, Ogiue Chika in Genshiken, Koyuki Asagiri in Kujibiki Unbalance, Chou’un Shiryuu in Ikki Tousen, Tomoe and Airi in Queen’s Blade, and Potaru Tanaka and Inumi in Magical Witch Punie-Chan. In video games, Michele has voiced the Pokémon Trainer, Squirtle and various other Pokémon for the Nintendo Wii’s Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Piplup and many others in PokéPark Wii – Pikachu’s Great Adventure, Snivy, Piplup and many others in PokéPark 2 Wonders Beyond, and various characters in Heathcliff the Fast and the Furriest. Not only does Michele work on anime and video games, but she’s also a script adaptor for various dubbing projects and lends her voice to many other types of work. You can see all of Michele’s credits, pictures, and listen to her voice demos, on her website.

http://micheleknotz.com/

 

DJ Hi5

Hi5 was attending conventions long before he began DJing them. First taking the convention stage at Otakon, he last played the Zenkaikon rave in 2009 and is excited to be back! He attributes DDR as his original gateway to electronic dance music.  Following the footsteps of Deadmau5, Porter Robinson, and BT, Hi5 works on his own productions, as well as remixes and instrumentals for other artists. Mashing up classic video game tunes with the latest in electro/progressive is his specialty. If you like high energy dance parties with some of your favorite songs, don’t miss him Saturday night!

http://soundcloud.com/hi5djs

 

 

DJ Kurono

DJ Kurono is a UK Hardcore/J-Core DJ and amateur hardcore music producer from the East Coast. He started mixing Japanese Happy Hardcore music in early 2009 and the happy tune of the melodies gave him a great interest to take things a step further. Kurono has done several live performances at raves, parties, and conventions, such as AnimeNEXT, Otakon, Kotoricon, and many others. A friendly collaboration with Japanese vocalist Elderberry began in July 2011 and they have produced a number of unreleased anime/video game remixes since they met. One of Kurono’s main focuses today is to promote Hard Dance/UK Hardcore/J-Core music and bring it straight to the dance floor with his own flavor of turntable scratching and mixing. Prepare yourself for the wave of Hardcore Sounds!

http://soundcloud.com/djkurono

 

Samurai Dan & Jillian

The husband and wife team of Daniel and Jillian Coglan are full-time martial art instructors, specializing in 16th century Samurai Arts. When not teaching at their dojo, the Kojokan, they travel the United States performing and teaching the ancient ways of the most famous warriors in history. With a combined 35 years of experience, their show is a unique blend of history, combative skill, and humor, designed to educate and entertain audiences both large and small. Beyond their martial skills, the dynamic duo collaborated to write, direct, host, and star in a 12 episode TV series entitled, “The Way of The Samurai.” Daniel is also an author, with several martial art articles published, and is currently working on his second full-length novel.

 http://www.facebook.com/SamuraiDanandJillian

To learn more about all of our guests, check out the guests page of our website, and don’t forget to pre-register for Zenkaikon! :)

Zenkaikon Welcomes Musical Guest Platform One

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

We are happy to welcome Platform One as a musical guest for our 2012 convention. Platform One has been a popular feature at Steampunk conventions, clubs, and events all over the Northeast, and we’re excited to have them make their first anime convention appearance at Zenkaikon!

Platform One first came together in Rhode Island in 1999. Now based out of New York, this band of highly energetic musicians brings together danceable beats, well thought out lyrics, and an appeal that crosses all genres. A combination of pop, gothic and alternative with a side of oontz, Platform One ranges in influence from And One to The Psychedelic Furs, and Peter Gabriel to The Cure. They are currently working on their third full-length album!

Read more about them at their website: http://www.platform-one.com/

 

Zenkaikon Announces The Asterplace as First Musical Guest

Monday, January 30th, 2012

Zenkaikon is happy to announce The Asterplace as the first musical guest for its 2012 convention!

The Asterplace is a Japanese anime rock band based in New York City. The group is composed of Steven Lin (Guitar), Luo Qingyun (Bass), Ji Hoon Moon (Keyboard), Kota Mori (Drums), and Kota Tsukimoto (Vocals/Guitar). They perform original rock numbers and your favorite anime cover songs. In June 2011, they released their first full album, entitled [Moon]. The album features a variety of musical themes – from melodic, fast punk to piano love ballads. Tsukimoto-san lends his heartfelt vocals to a combination of melodic guitars, beautiful piano, groovy bass, and a powerful drum beat. The Asterplace has performed at a number of events including Anime Syracuse, Anime SOHO, Tribeca Film Festival, and the DC National Cherry Blossom Festival. They are very much looking forward to performing at Zenkaikon 2012! You can learn more about them on their website: www.asterplace.net.

Excited about Zenkaikon? Don’t forget to pre-register, and stay tuned for more guest announcements soon!