Anime Network has announced that HEROES star James Kyson Lee will guest host its popular original series, ANIME ACCESS, which gives viewers a virtual backstage pass to anime's hottest events. This time the ANIME ACCESS crew heads to Long Beach, California, to go behind the scenes of North America's largest anime convention, from June 29 through July 2, 2007.
Lee, who plays Ando Masahashi, will not only interview voice actors and creators, but will also give anime fans the chance to share the spotlight and maybe even see themselves on ANIME ACCESS, when it airs on Anime Network on Aug. 16, 2007. Previous guest hosts have included MTV China VJ Angel Tang and former Miss Texas USA and THE AMAZING RACE 5 contestant Niki O' Brien, among others.
"We were undoubtedly delighted at the chance to have HEROES' James Kyson Lee guest host ANIME ACCESS for its coverage of one of the year's top anime events," said Stacy Dodson, Anime Network's director of programming and operations. "We knew he was a huge anime fan, so who better to add to our incredible Expo lineup than a passionate participant who also happens to be part of another major pop culture phenomenon."
Anime Network events at Anime Expo include:
* The Anime Network/ADV Films Booth (#1400) will host "Adventures in Voice Acting," a event on Saturday, June 30, from 3:30-5:00 pm, which gives attendees the chance to act out their favorite anime scenes for the chance to win a video iPod.
* Anime Network will feature both the live commentary of and autograph sessions for several of the industry's top voice artists: Vic Mignogna (AIR TV, FULL METAL PANIC!, DN ANGEL, MACROSS, INNOCENT VENUS), Monica Rial (KURAU PHANTOM MEMORY, EXCEL SAGA, NOIR, HELLO KITTY) and Chris Patton (GUYVER, FULL METAL PANIC!, AIR GEAR, NERIMA DAIKON BROTHERS). For a complete schedule, visit: www.theanimenetwork.com.
* The Anime Network panel, which will feature schedule highlights, giveaways and a Q&A with the network's staff, takes place on Saturday, June 30, from 10:00-11:00 am in Live Programming Room 3 (LP3).
* Anime Expo attendees may also stop by the Anime Network booth throughout the convention to watch episodes from some of anime's most celebrated series on the booth's plasma screen.
Anime Network, a subsidiary of A.D. Vision Inc. (parent company to ADV Films and Newtype USA), is America's #1 anime channel, reaching more than 41 million households with thousands of hours of serialized programming. Launched in North America in late 2002, Anime Network is the nation's top video-on-demand (VOD) offering, and is also available as a 24/7 linear channel in several U.S. markets. The network continues to broaden its national roster of multi-system operator (MSO) agreements, bringing the elusive 18-34, tech-savvy male demographic back to television and driving demand for additional digital services offered by MSOs. For more information, visit www.theanimenetwork.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
