News
Anime Central Hosts Director Nabeshin, Composer Masashi Hamauzu
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
The staff of the Anime Central convention in Illinois announced on Friday that director Shinichi "Nabeshin" Watanabe will be returning this year along with his own guest, actor and military action director Yasuhiro Koshi ( Battle Royale , Casshern). Other announced guests include game composer Masashi Hamauzu along with musical guests LM.C and Iromu Rioka.
Watanabe is best known as director in the slapstick comedy Excel Saga and the currently streaming Nerima Daikon Brothers. He often appears Hitchcock-style in his animated works with his signature afro.
Masashi Hamauzu has composed soundtracks for a number of Square Enix titles — most notably Final Fantasy X, XIII, and XIII-2. He recently left Square Enix to begin his own studio called MONOMUSIK. Hamauzu will be bringing his own special guest Mina Sakai, vocalist for the Final Fantasy XIII soundtrack.
Japanese visual-kei band LM.C is starting a world tour at Anime Central. Band members include maya (Vocals) and Aiji (Guitar). The band will perform a concert at the convention as well as a Q&A and autograph session. LM.C performed both opening themes for the 2011 anime Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan: Demon Capital as well as two opening theme songs for the Katekyo Hitman Reborn! series.
LM.C addressed Anime Central fans directly in a video streaming on YouTube.
Singer and songwriter Iromu Rioka will perform with her support guitarist, NEMU. The gothic-lolita pair perform an eclectic mix of classical and electropop music. Her music is featured in several bishojo games for PC and PlayStation Portable.
Fashion designers Angelic Pretty, Hangry&Angry, and Sixh.IBI are also attending.
Anime Central 2012 will be held at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare Hotel in Rosemont, Illinois from April 27 to April 29.
