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Sakura-Con Hosts Giant Robo/Shin Mazinger's Imagawa
posted on by Crystalyn Hodgkins
Sakura-Con has announced three Japanese industry guests for its 2010 convention, which will take place on April 2-4 in Seattle, Washington. Animator Tsuyoshi Nonaka, director Yasuhiro Imagawa, and character designer Yutaka Minowa will be attending the convention.
Nonaka (D.I.C.E., Shin Mazinger Shōgeki! Z-Hen) will be making his first appearance at Sakura-Con.
Imagawa has directed several unconventional updates of classic Japanese robot stories, such as Giant Robo, Mobile Fighter G Gundam, and most recently, Shin Mazinger Shōgeki! Z-Hen. He also wrote scripts for Pet Shop of Horrors, Violinist of Hamelin, Berserk, and Hareluya II Boy. This will also be Imagawa's first Sakura-Con. Last year, both Nonaka and Imagawa were scheduled to appear at Anime Weekend Altanta, but then cancelled their appearance.
Minowa has designed characters for Ninja Scroll, and Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, and has also worked as a character designer and/or animation director for Outlaw Star and The Animatrix. This will be Minowa's second Sakura-Con.
Sakura-Con previously announced in November that the High and Mighty Color rock band will also be performing during the event. Sakura-Con's other guests of honors include the Japanese rock band Dazzle Vision and the voice acting talents Brina Palencia, Luci Christian, and Richard Epcar.
Image © 2009 Gō Nagai/Dynamic Planning, Kurogane-ya
© 1993 Yoshiaki Kawajiri/Mad House/JVC/Toho Co., LTD./Movic Inc.