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"A Pokemon Professor, a Parasite and a Titan Walk Into a Convention..."

Grand Rapids, Mich. – Jun. 22, 2016- Stop me if you heard this one.
It sounds like the start of a joke, but it will hardly be a laughing matter when the Japanese Animation, Film & Art eXpo opens to a crowd of Japanese culture and anime fans alike at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids this weekend.

The expo–called JAFAX for short–will host its 20th anniversary event this Fri., Jun. 24 through Sat. 26, featuring special artists from around the Midwest, seminars about Japanese pop culture and special guests from the anime industry.

"This year we are welcoming some new faces to our guest lineup," said JAFAX Chairman, Will Burgess. "We're excited to bring Brittney Karbowski, who is well known for her roles as Blackstar in 'Soul Eater' and Misaka in 'A Certain Scientific Railgun'."

Karbowski has also played the lead character of Yurippe in the wildly popular 'Angel Beats!' and the titular parasite in 'Parasyte: the Maxim'.

Joining her in the guest lineup is Jake Paque, who plays Professor Sycamore in the current season of 'Pokémon', as well as Dumon in the hit children's anime, 'Yu-Gi-Oh!'
Also new this year is Tyson Rinehart, best known for his role of Daru in the cult classic 'Steins;Gate', as well as a cameo appearance as a gigantic monster titan in the popular TV anime, 'Attack on Titan'.

There are more than just new guests coming to JAFAX this year, the event will also host its first dance on Saturday night, a blood drive on Sunday, and will have its first overnight block of programming in the host hotel, the Amway Grand Plaza.

"The Amway is where our Maid Cafe will be," said Burgess. "It's one of our most popular events where attendees of the show can stop in for refreshments in a casual, yet distinguished setting."

JAFAX, a West Mich. nonprofit, is also hosting the 100 Tables Project, a local charity benefiting families in need from the Zeeland, Mich. area, through proceeds from sale of tables made by students of Creekside Middle School. 2015 ArtPrize participant and 100 Tables Project founder, Tamara Draper, will showcase her tables in the Vendor hall throughout the weekend.

"I first saw the 100 Tables Project last year at ArtPrize, I was amazed to see pop culture depicted in stained glass," said Rae Morris, Director of Promotions at JAFAX. "Another charity working with us thus year is MI Blood. When I worked in a clinical oncology unit we went through staggering amounts of blood every day. That is my personal reason for asking them to work with us."

The Blood Drive, hosted by Michigan Blood, will take place throughout the day on Sunday. "The need for blood is always urgent; I've seen blood donations keep people alive," said Morris.

More information about JAFAX, as well as a schedule of events can be found at: www.JAFAX.org

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