AnimeFest 2017 Guests of Honor

Ms. Mitsurou Kubo is a talented manga artist and one of the creative forces behind the incredibly popular 2016 ice skating anime Yuri!!! on Ice! Beyond co-creating the story and contributing countless storyboards to Yuri!!! on Ice, Ms. Kubo's previous works include such amazing series as Moteki and Again!!, both of which were adaptated to live action tv drama shows.
This will be Ms. Kubo's first time attending AnimeFest!
Read more about Mitsurou Kubo...

Ms. Sayo Yamamoto is director for the incredibly popular 2016 ice skating anime Yuri!!! on Ice! She is also credited with the original concept as well as series composition. Ms. Yamamoto's directorial debut was with the adventure packed Michiko and Hatchin in 2008, and in 2012 she directed the tantalizing Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine. Ms. Yamamoto has also contributed countless storyboards and opening / closings to a variety of popular anime including Space Dandy, Attack on Titan, Psycho-Pass, and more.
AnimeFest is excited to welcome back Director Sayo Yamamoto for the second time!
Read more about Sayo Yamamoto...

Mr. Tadashi Hiramatsu is the animation director and character designer for the incredibly popular 2016 ice skating anime Yuri!!! on Ice. Mr. Hiramatsu has participated in other numerous works including Neon Genesis Evangelion, Parasyte -the maxim-, FLCL, Jin-Roh, and His and Her Circumstances, to name just a few. Additionally, two of Mr. Hiramatsu's shorts, Until you Come to Me and On a Gloomy Night, were featured in the 2015 Japan Animator's Expo.
Please welcome Mr. Hiramatsu to his first AnimeFest!
Read more about Tadashi Hiramatsu...

Some of Ms. Tanezaki's roles include "Lisa Mishima" in Terror in Resonance, "Chise Hatori" in The Ancient Magus' Bride, "Mayu Arita" in Death Parade, "Moe Nishinosono" in The Perfect Insider, "Asako Natsume" in My Little Monster, "Mei Irizaki" in High School Fleet, "Mizore Yoroizuka" in Sound! Euphonium 2, "Tome Kurata" in Mob Psycho 100, "Kyoko Igarashi" in The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls, and "Hosshii" in Mysterious Joker, among others.
Read more about Atsumi Tanezaki...

Mr. Sato is a highly accomplished scriptwriter in Japan. His representative works include well known anime such as Cowboy Bebop (1998), Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2002), Wolf's Rain (2003), Samurai Champloo (2004), Psalms of Planets: Eureka Seven (2005), Ergo Proxy (2006), FREEDOM (2006-2008), Eden of the East (2009), Halo Legends: The Package (2010), Tekken: Blood Vengeance (2011), Lupin III: A Woman Called Fujiko Mine (2012), and Chou Soku Henkei: Gyrozetter (2013), Space Dandy (2014), Mysterious Joker (2015-), Puzzle & Dragons X (2016), and many more.
Read more about Dai Sato...

Mr. Kamiyama is the original creator, writer, and director for the upcoming original theatrical movie, Napping Princess, set to hit theaters in Japan on March 18, 2017! Additionally, Mr. Kamiyama directed such works as Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C, Eden of the East, Moribito: Guardian of the Sacred Spirit, Ghost in the Shell: SOLID STATE SOCIETY 3D, and 009 RE:CYBORG, to list just a few.
This is Mr. Kamiyama's second time to attend AnimeFest!
Read more about Kenji Kamiyama here.

Mr. Hori is responsible for storyboarding and scene directing in Director Kenji Kamiyama's new original theatrical movie, Napping Princess, scheduled to release on March 18, 2017. He previously was responsible for prop design and scene directing in Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie, and handled the 2D layout as well as art design for 009 RE:CYBORG. A veteran animator, Mr. Hori has also participated in shows such as Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi, Paradise Kiss, Gurren Lagann, Michiko & Hatchin, among many others.
This is Mr. Hori's first time to join AnimeFest!
Read more about Motonobu Hori here.

Mr. Koyama is talented dsigner who has contributed to many popular anime series. He is responsible for the mechanical designs used in Director Kenji Kamiyama's new original theatrical movie, Napping Princess, scheduled to release on March 18, 2017. Some notable works he has participated in include Gurren Lagann, Kill La Kill, Michiko & Hatchin, Moribito, Inferno Cop among many others. Additionally, he was the concept mecha designer for Baymay in Big Hero 6.
This is Mr. Koyama's first time to join AnimeFest!
Read more about Shigeto Koyama here.

Mr. Ferreira is a French animator and designer working in the Japanese animation industry. He is responsible for the creature designs in Director Kenji Kamiyama's latest original movie, Napping Princess. Additional projects he has participated in include titles such as Bleach, Genius Party, Crayon Shinchan, and Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine, among others.
This is Mr. Ferreira's first time at AnimeFest!
Read more about Christophe Ferreira here.

Mr. Sakurai is the producer on Director Kenji Kamiyama's latest original movie, Napping Princess. Additionally, Mr. Sakurai served as the producer at Studio Signal M.D. for Cyborg 009 Call of Justice. Previously, Mr. Sakurai contributed as a script writer on works such as Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C, Moribito: Guardian of the Sacred Spirit, Blood+, Otogi Zoshi, and REDLINE, among others.
This is Mr. Sakurai's first time at AnimeFest!
Read more about Yoshiki Sakurai here.

Ms. Arina Tanemura is a popular Manga artist drawing in the girl's style of Shojo Manga. Ms. Tanemura is currently collaborating on a joint work titled Shunkan Lyle published monthly in ZeroSum. Perhaps best known in the United States for her works such as Full Moon o Sagashite and Phantom Thief Jeanne, both of which were adapted into television anime series, Ms. Tanemura is also the creator of The Gentlemen's Alliance Cross, Idol Dreams, and Akuma ni Chic x Hack, among many others. Additionally, she drafted the original character designs and art for the popular game based franchise, Idolish 7.
We are proud to welcome back Ms. Tanemura for her 3rd AnimeFest!
Read more about Arina Tanemura here.

Tsutchie is a talented track maker and music producer in the Japanese music industry. He is a member of the hip-hop unit Shakkazombie, and has collaborated with countless other well-known performers throughout his career. He has also released 2 solo albums, "Thanks for Listening" and "This is a Recording" in 2002 and 2003 respectively. In 2011, he founded his own label, Sync Twice, releasing works from newer artists such as Kumiko Yanagida, the Run, Run, Runs, and others.
Tsutchie's first tie-up with anime occurred with Cowboy Bebop when Shakkazombie's track "Sora wo torimodoshita hi" was used for the end credits of recap Session XX. Since then, Tsutchie went on to create the music for two amazing anime television series; Director Shinichiro Watanabe's Samurai Champloo and Director Shukou Murase's GANGSTA!
This is Tsutchie's fourth time to join us at AnimeFest!
Read more about Tsutchie here.

Masaaki Yuasa is a Japanese animation director known far and wide for his unique free form and fluid style of animation. He currently serves as President of Science SARU, an animation studio he co-founded with his business partner Eunyoung Choi. Some of Mr. Yuasa's representative works include Mind Game, Kemonozume, Genius Party, Kaiba, The Tatami Galaxy, Kick-Heart, and Ping Pong the Animation. He was nominated for a 2015 Annie Award for Adventure Time, and also participated in an episode of Space Dandy.
Mr. Yuasa has been working hard on two separate feature films; Night is Short, Walk on Girl! (based on the Novel by Tomihiko Morimi), and Lu, Over the Wall, an original creation. He will also direct the 2018 Netflix exclusive series, Devilman, crybaby, a work celebrating original creator Go Nagai's career of 50 years.
This is Mr. Yuasa's first time to attend AnimeFest!
Read more about Masaaki Yuasa here.

Ms. Eunyoung Choi started off in the Japanese Animation industry as a key animator, and quickly expanded her skill set to include animation direction, art supervision, episode directing, producing and more. She co-founded Studio Science Saru with Animator and Director Yuasa Masaaki, and currently serves as Vice President. Some of the works Ms. Choi has participated in include Kemonozume, Kaiba, Ping Pong the Animation, The Tatami Galaxy, Kick Heart, Space Dandy, and most recently Masaaki Yuasa's new original feature film, Lu Over the Wall.
This is Ms. Choi's first time to join us at AnimeFest!
Read more about Eunyoung Choi here.

Ms. Atsuko Tanaka is regarded as one of the top veteran animators in Japan. She has contributed predominantly as a Key Animator on films from some anime's most prominent Directors. She participated on Director Hayao Miyazaki's Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Ponyo of the Cliff by the Sea, and The Wind Rises. She also has worked with Director Isao Takahata on Pompoko as well as with Director Hiromasa Yonebayashi on The Secret World of Arrietty, When Marnie Was There, and his upcoming film Mary and the Witch's Flower. Ms. Tanaka also contributed to Director Mamoru Hosoda's Summer Wars and The Boy and the Beast, Director Shinichiro Watanabe's Space Dandy, and Director Makoto Shinkai's Your Name!

Please help us welcome Ms. Tanaka back to AnimeFest for her second time!
Read more...

Susan J. Napier is Professor of Japanese Studies at Tufts University who specializes in Japanese literature, fantasy, and animation. She is the author of numerous articles and four books on Anime. She is currently finishing up a new book about the Japanese animation director Hayao Miyazaki entitled Miyazakiworld.
This is Dr. Napier's second time to join us at AnimeFest!
Read more about Susan Napier here.

Monica Rial has been working in the anime industry for 17 years and she is currently listed as the most prolific anime voice actor in the USA. She has lent her voice to over 400 anime including "Mila" in Yuri!!! on Ice, "Kayano" in Assassination Classroom, and "Mey Rin" in Black Butler.

We are proud to welcome Monica back to AnimeFest!

Read more about Monica Rial here.

Ian has been voice acting since he was a sophomore in college, where he studied theater. Since then he's been working in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area as a professional actor in a multitude of arenas. He's performed on stage, on camera, and, of course, behind the mic.

A few of Ian's more popular roles include "Celestino" in Yuri!!! on Ice, "Dandy" in Space Dandy, "Brook" in One Piece, "Toriko" in Toriko and "Bardroy" in Black Butler.

We are proud to welcome Ian for his third AnimeFest!

Read more about Ian Sinclair here.

Spanning across the map from New York to Texas, Daman Mills is a Voice Actor that records for anime dubs primarily with FUNimation Entertainment. Potentially best known as the voice of "Jyugo" in FUNimation’s English Dub of NANBAKA and provides the voices of "Yakov Feltsman" in Yuri!!! on Ice, "Honebami Toushirou" in Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru, to just name a few.

We are proud to welcome Daman for his first AnimeFest!

Read more about Daman Mills here.

Jeremy Inman is a voice actor and an ADR anime director who has been working in the industry since the days of Dragon Ball Z! He's most well-known for his roles as "Jean-Jacques" in Yuri!!! on Ice, "Android 16" in Dragon Ball Z, "Taurus" in Fairy Tail, "Magellan" in One Piece, "Suzuka" in Yu Yu Hakusho, and "Heymans Breda" in Fullmetal Alchemist.

We are proud to welcome Jeremy for his first AnimeFest!

Read more about Jeremy Inman here.

Josh is a life-long geek and actor with over 200 voice credits in his 10+ year career. His favorite roles include "Armin" in Attack on Titan, "Yuuri Katsuki" in Yuri!!! on Ice, "Kuranosuke" in Princess Jellyfish, "Sadao Maou" in The Devil is a Part-Timer, "Toyohisa" in Drifters, "Tyrian" in RWBY, "Kenichi" in Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple, and "Zen" in Snow White with the Red Hair.

We are proud to welcome Josh for his first AnimeFest!

Read more about Josh Grelle here.

With over 150 credits to his name, Jerry Jewell can be heard in a wide variety of shows. He’s probably best known for his roles as "Kyo Sohma" in Fruits Basket, "Jimmy Kudo" in Case Closed, "Barry the Chopper/Number 66" in Fullmetal Alchemist, "Claire Stanfield" in Baccano!, "Russia" in Hetalia: Axis Powers, "Lau" in Black Butler and most recently, "Victor Nikiforov" in Yuri!!! on Ice

We are proud to welcome Jerry for his first AnimeFest!

Read more about Jerry Jewell here.

Already a growing accomplished voice actor, Alejandro has found much success as a voice actor, having been cast in many projects such as "Uno" in Nanbaka, "Drake" in Fairy Tail, "Koyuki" in Servamp, "Akane" in Handa-Kun, "Ichiro" in Cheer Boys!!, and "Tsukauchi" in My Hero Academia! He is also the voice director for Freedom Planet 2.

We are proud to welcome Alejandro for his first AnimeFest!

Read more about Alejandro Saab here.

Micah Solusod is best known for his roles in Soul Eater and Yuri!!! on Ice, but can also be heard voicing characters in shows such as Tokyo Ghoul, Wolf Children, Space Dandy, The Empire of Corpses and more! Currently he can also be heard in Assassination Classroom, Prince of Stride: Alternative, and Blood Blockade Battlefront.

Micah will participate in various panels and autograph sessions throughout AnimeFest.

Read more about Micah Solusod here.

Eric Vale has been a professional actor for over 15 years. You may know his voice as that of the Dallas Stars or Dave & Busters commercials on TV and radio. If you watch anime, you’ve heard him as "Trunks" in Dragon Ball Z, "America" in Hetalia, "Kimblee" in Fullmetal Alchemist, and "Sanji" in One Piece.

We are proud to welcome Eric for his first AnimeFest!

Read more about Eric Vale here.

AnimeFest would also like to welcome Greg Wicker! Come have fun with interactive games and panels about all your favorite things! A witty and lively performer, be sure to not miss a single moment of hilarity with Greggo this AnimeFest!

We are proud to welcome Greggo back for his fourth appearance at AnimeFest!

Read more about Greg Wicker here.

Morgan Berry is a professional voice actor in anime shows, movies, and video games. She is also a singer and YouTuber under the name "Unknown Songbird." Morgan's most recent anime roles include the main character "Tokaku Azuma" in Riddle Story of Devil, "Young Ichirohiko" in the acclaimed film The Boy and The Beast, "Ayumu Oozora" in Tokyo ESP, and "Jacqueline" in Show By Rock!! to just name a few.

We are proud to welcome Morgan for her first AnimeFest!

Read more about Morgan Berry here.

The talented Apphia Yu can be heard lending her voice to many popular titles including Assassination Classrom, Noragami Aragoto, Fairy Tail, and many more. She also leads the visual novel group sakevisual and is lead writer for the art duo Painapple Studio.

We are happy to have Apphia back as a guest for her second year!

Read more about Apphia Yu here.

AnimeFest is excited to welcome back the amazing Amelie, comic book creator and multimedia artist extraordinaire!
Amelie is known among fans for her works The Real Life Adventures of Ami Chan, Bounty Haunters, and for illustrating Loud Snow.
Her panels for aspiring artists are both deeply informative and extremely entertaining. Amelie also returns to us as an ever popular and hugely entertaining auctioneer for our annual Art Auction.

Read more about Amelie Belcher here.

As a voice actor, Strait is considered to be one of the most recognized voice actors in the business. Besides “Dragon Ball Z's” Krillin he has worked on many popular animated characters including Usopp in "One Piece", Maes Hughes in "Fullmetal Alchemist", and Cartoon Network’s laid back, robot host Toonami TOM . Most recently he's played Maple in “Show by Rock”, Andre in “Prison School”, Allen in “Escaflowne” and Koro Sensei in “Assassination Classroom.”

Recently, Sonny Strait returned to directing with such notables as “Escaflowne”, the infamous “Prison School” and the sleeper hit “Yuri On Ice” (Sonny favorite thing to direct ever).

We are proud to welcome Sonny for his first AnimeFest!

Read more about Sonny Strait here.