AM² Updates

Passports, New Guests of Honor, Movie Premieres, and More at Animation, Manga, and Music Festival Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press releases Official Site: am2con.org Special Thanks to Chase Wang AM², the highly-anticipated animation, music and manga convention coming this 4th of July weekend at the Anaheim Convention Center in Southern California, has announced some new additions to the festival lineup and revealed the cover design for the 3 Day Passport which gives holders exclusive access to events plus major discounts to Disneyland, Best Buy, Macys, and other Southern California venues, retailers, and restaurants. Akihiko Yamashita and Miho Shimogasa, the celebrated Character Designers of GIANT ROBO: THE ANIMATION-THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, CUTEY HONEY FLASH, GRAVITATION, THE PRINCE OF TENNIS, POWERPUFF GIRLS Z and Animation Directors of SAILOR MOON SUPERS, SAILOR MOON SAILOR STARS, SAILOR MOON SUPERS PLUS-AMI`S FIRST LOVE, HOWL`S MOVING CASTLE, PONYO, Studio Ghibli`s latest animated feature FROM KOKURIKO HILL are added to the Guests of Honor. Yamashita-san and Shimagosa-san join current Guests of Honors Scandal, Sadie, Kanon Wakeshima, kanon x kanon, heidi., Gashicon, IBI and MINT with more to be announced soon! Madhouse, one of Japan’s most celebrated animation houses, debuts the anime version of MAI MAI MIRACLE by award winning Author Nobuko Takagi. Also added are live action films from Japan including SHODO GIRLS, THE WORLD`S MOST BEAUTIFUL DICTIONARY (aka SUMMER BOOKMOBILE) and THE BILLION YEN JACKPOT. "AM² will have something for everyone", states AM² representative Chase Wang Chase Wang. "These additions to the film festival will captivate the hearts of those that come and watch them." Attendees can avoid the anticipated huge lines at autographs, premiere screenings, workshops, main events, concerts and panels by purchasing a Passport fast pass for the event. The Passport fast pass will also provide holders with premier seating options at Main Events and at Concert events as well as major discounts with theme parks, retailers and local restaurants. Bypass the lines and get your Passport today. AM² current activities include Exhibit Hall, AMV`s, Arcade, Summer Festival, World Cosplay Summit, Behind the Voice Actors Studio, Rum Party Pirates, Masquerade, Cosplay Chess, Dances, Fashion Shows, Table Top, Console Gaming, AniMaid Café, AniMaid Café Host Club, Workshops, Panels, Concerts and more. “AM² will be the place to be this summer”, Chase Wang reports. “Passport holders will not only be able to obtain amazing discounts from Disneyland, Best Buy, Macys and more! They will have exclusive access to screenings that are only accessible to them and them alone! Get your Passports today and experience the difference!” AM² UNVEILS THE OFFICIAL 3 DAY PASSPORT

AM² unveils the official AM² Passport-the interactive tool that will provide bearers to have premier "ahead of the line" access for events including concerts, panels, workshops, autograph sessions, "Passport Only" including Guest of Honor Meet and Greets, Private Screenings of special exclusive anime titles, premier seats at concert events to be up front and personal with performers and major discounts including Disneyland, Knott`s Berry Farm, Best Buy, Macys, Medieval Times and many other local theme parks, retailers and restaurants. With features that include an area for users to take a Purikura machine image to include as their official Passport photo, maps and information, the AM² Passport will also include areas for autographs and official stamps for users to collect throughout the convention in order to "collect" them all for amazing prizes at the end of the convention. AM² Passport holders will also enjoy "at-con" benefits, some including: • One hour advanced entry into the Exhibit Hall • Premier entrance/seating in all main events (first come first serve basis) • Premier/fast-line for autograph lines, panels and workshops • Special entry to private parties with select Guests of Honors (preference provided to 3 day Passport holders) • Discount Admission to the AniMaid Café Some benefits found with local businesses include: • 40% off Admission at Disneyland • 20% off Disney Merchandise ($100 purchase or more) at most stores in theme park and Downtown Disney • Discounted admission for Knott`s Berry Farm • Discounted admission for Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament • 10% off any regularly priced item and 15% off all accessories at Best Buy • 10% off of purchases at Macy`s • 20% off of food at California Pizza Kitchen • 20% off of food at House of Blues Anaheim • 10% off of food at IHOP • 20% off of food at McCormick & Schmick`s Grille A full list of discounts and benefits can be found online at am2con.org/passport-benefits. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DEBUT OF THE MADHOUSE MASTERPIECE MAI MAI MIRACLE FOR PASSPORT HOLDERS ONLY

AM² proudly announces the Southern California exclusive debut “Passport Only” screening of the anime masterpiece MAI MAI MIRACLE (????????????, Mai Mai Shinko to Sennen no Maho, 2009), written by the award winning author Nobuko Takagi and directed by celebrated anime director Sunao Katabuchi (BLACK LAGOON, PRINCESS ARETE; and Assistant Director to the Studio Ghibli title KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE). MAI MAI MIRACLE is based on the idiosyncratic autobiographical novel Mai Mai Shinko by Nobuko Takagi, winner of the prestigious literature award-Akutagawa Prize. Madhouse, one of Japan’s foremost animation studios (THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME, PAPRIKA, etc.) put together a heartwarming story that revolves around the friendship between a young girl named Shinko, who has a strange curl on her head and calls it her “Mai Mai”, and her new friend, Kiiko, who is a transfer student from Tokyo. Together they embark on a journey of pure imagination and fantasy! The story is set in 1955 in Kokuga, Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. One thousand years ago it was the site of the ancient capital, Suo no Kuni, and traces of the Heian Period (year 794-1185) are passed down to us in the form of ruins and historical place names. The protagonist is Shinko, a third grade elementary school student, who was born and raised in one of the town’s venerable families. She is a little girl whose characteristic is a strange curl on her forehead (she calls it her ‘Mai Mai’), and her love for playing in the fields. On the other hand, her secret joy is to imagine and to daydream about the world of one thousand years ago. Her fantasies travel far into the days of the Heian Period… One day, a girl called Kiiko transfers from Tokyo and enters Shinko’s class. This girl from the big city has difficulty feeling at home in this small town, but gradually her friendship with Shinko deepens. Before long, the two of them become engulfed in a strange incident of one thousand years earlier...?! YAMASHITA-SAN AND SHIMOGASA-SAN

Anime directors and character designers Akihiko Yamashita and Miho Shimogasa have been added to AM² Guests of Honor lineup. Photos courtesy of BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions.

Fans of the world of anime rejoice as celebrated directors and character designers Akihiko Yamashita and Miho Shimogasa join this summer`s most anticipated anime, manga and music convention, AM², this coming 4th of July weekend as official guests of honor. TOM & JERRY and LUPIN III: THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO were two of the most influential animations that brought attention of the world of anime to celebrated anime director Yamashita-san. Yamashita-san has worked as a character designer for GIANT ROBO: THE ANIMATION-THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL and ZEGAPAIN, his first directorial work was at the world famous Studio Ghibli animation studio where he directed CHUZUMO. Yamashita-san has gone on with directing some of Studio Ghibli`s biggest and most known works including HOWL`S MOVING CASTLE, ARRIETTY, PONYO and the latest film from the studio FROM KOKURIKO HILL. Yamashita-san has huge admiration for the works of J.J. Abrams and is an avid "Trekker/Trekkie". Born in Yokohama, Shimogasa-san loved anime characters such as Susumu Kodai (Derek from SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO aka STAR BLAZER) and decided to become an animator with her first part-time job as a cell painter while still a student. Upon graduating, Shimogasa-san joined the highly recognized anime studio Artland as an animator. Later, she became a freelance animator and has worked on such notable titles including CUTEY HONEY FLASH, KOCCHI MUITE MIIKO, NIGHTWALKER, GOKUDO, GRAVITATION, PSYCHIC ACADEMY, THE PRINCE OF TENNIS, GOOD MORNING CALL, ULTRA MANIAC, POWERPUFF GIRLS Z AND BATTLE SPIRITS: SHONEN TOPPA BASHIN. As an Animation Director, Shimogasa-san directed SAILOR MOON SUPERS, SAILOR MOON SAILOR STARS, SAILOR MOON SUPERS PLUS-AMI`S FIRST LOVE and also served as Assistant Director in GALAXY EXPRESS 999: ETERNAL FANTASY. An interesting tid-bit of information Shimogasa-san`s name was used to name a twin maid character in DETECTIVE CONAN. "We are truly blessed and honored to have such amazing anime talent join us this year", states AM² representative Chase Wang, "having someone from the world famous Studio Ghibli and a celebrated character designer of SAILOR MOON and more is a treat for our fans here in the Southern California area-especially with such a huge fan base of that series!" LIVE ACTION MOVIE SCREENINGS Touching stories of hope, adventure and imagination comes to AM² with some of the most anticipated live action films from Japan including SHODO GIRLS, THE WORLD`S MOST BEAUTIFUL DICTIONARY (SUMMER BOOKMOBILE) and THE BILLION YEN JACKPOT

SHODO GIRLS (??????!!??????????, Shodo Girls!! Watashitachi no Koshien, 2010) There is a rural town which lies in the area of the Japanese symbolical mountain Mount Fuji. It is there, where an American English teacher landed. She got interested in Japanese culture, and in particularly Shodo, so she found a job in Japan. However, when she arrived in the town, she saw big buildings which are almost the same as the ones in the U.S. What`s more, the local students show no interest in Japanese cultures. Japanese children can do exactly whatever they were told to do, but they lack the ability to form their own opinion. In Japan, there are beautiful traditional cultures such as Shodo and Sado, but at same time the country is also one of the biggest industrial countries which produce cars and cameras, etc. However, when the two aspects of the country fail to connect, what kind of country does that make of Japan? The high school girls decided to participate The Demonstration Event. The importance of calligraphy is "to learn how to express oneself", which is also the most difficult skill that Japanese people are now facing. Through calligraphy, the students developed their friendship and learn how to deal with relationships with others. On the day of the calligraphy contest, 1000 people came to watch the contest.The girls expressed their all their feelings on a huge piece of paper through calligraphy. THE WORLD`S MOST BEAUTIFUL DICTIONARY/SUMMER BOOKMOBILE (2009) One summer day, a boy who has never seen the ocean comes across a bookmobile operated by a young, aspiring picture book writer. The boy discovers a letter, tucked in a book, written by a girl who lives by the ocean. He decides to go and save the girl, but can`t find the courage to go through the dark tunnel that leads to the ocean. This is the story of "absurdity experience" and "curiosity and fear for the a border violation" in one`s childhood. THE BILLION YEN JACKPOT (10????, Juoku en Kasegu, 2010) Japanese celebrity, Terry Itoh finally advances into the film world, making his director debut with one large project; earning an income of one billion yen in the character making business. This movie, which demonstrates how anyone has the chance to become rich quickly, will also show the Japanese society to dream bigger and to never give up on what they wish for.

About AM²

Located in Anaheim, California, AM² is a 3-day, 24 hour event with no general attendance/badge purchase requirement and is aspiring to be a key meeting place for fans that share a common interest in Asian music, Animation/Anime, and Comics/Manga. Established in 2010, AM² will be held on July 1-3, 2011 at the Anaheim Convention Center in sunny Anaheim, California. AM² current activities include Exhibit Hall, AMV`s, Arcade, Summer Festival, World Cosplay Summit, Rum Party Pirates, Cosplay Chess, Dances, Fashion Shows, Table Top, Console Gaming, AniMaid Café, Workshops, Panels, Concerts and more! Entrance to the event is free, but attendees can avoid the huge lines by obtaining a Passport fast pass for the event. The Passport fast pass will also provide holders with premier seating options at Main Events and at Concert events as well as major discounts with theme parks, retailers and local restaurants. More information can be found at am2con.org.

For more information on AM² please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan: