LLNN Coverage of Anime Central 2002

Hidenori Matsubara: Mr. Matsubara has been an animator on many well known anime, but is best known for adapting manga artist Kosuke Fujishima's designs to the anime and game medium. American fans will best know him for his character design and animation direction on "Oh! My Goddess" and "Sakura Wars."

Toshihiro Kawamoto: Mr. Kawamoto is best known to US anime fans for his character designs on "Cowboy Bebop" and "Golden Boy." However, he also worked as animation supervisor for the animation for the "Ghost in the Shell" Playstation Game opening, and well as being character designer on "Gundam 0083" and "08th MS Team".

Ken Akamatsu: Mr. Akamatsu is best known to anime and manga fans as the creator and manga artist of "Love Hina." The manga which was published in Kodansha's weekly comic magazine, "Weekly Shounen Magajin," has 14 volumes and was made into avery popular anime series. He has also recently put out a special edition of his Love Hina comic, entitled "IroHina" ('ColorHina').

Tetsuya Aoki: Mr. Aoki began working at the Japanese design company PLEX in 1990 where he is still employed and continues to be involved in the design and planning process of TV character merchandise for BANDAI, including live action series such as Kamen Rider, Power Ranger, and Ultraman series. Before joining PLEX, Mr. Aoki worked for TAKARA and designed some of The Transformers products.

Brad Swaile: Mr. Swaile is best known for his voice roles as Quatre in Gundam Wing, Amuro Ray in Mobile Suit Gundam, Mousse from Ranma 1/2, and Yota in Video Girl Ai.

Melissa Williamson: Ms. Williamson is best known for her work directing the English dub of Cowboy Bebop (also portrayed Julia), and her voice work including parts as Hilde in Outlaw Star, Urd in Oh My Goddess the Movie, and Nuriko in Fushigi Yuugi.

Hilary Haag: A very welcome newcomer to the anime convention scene, ADVFilms voice actor Hilary Haag's roles include Nene in Bubble Gum Crisis 2040, and characters from Sorcerer Hunters, Blue Sub no. 6, Compiler, and Master of Mosquiton.

Tiffany Grant: Ms. Grant is best known as her roles of Asuka from Evangelion and Chocolate from Sorcerer Hunters and has now voiced characters in over a hundred titles for ADV.

Jessica Calvello: Ms. Calvello is best known for her voice roles as Cutey Honey, Yuri in Original Dirty Pair, Mink from Dragon Half, among many others. She's also the lead voice of Excel in Excel Saga, coming soon from ADV Films

Crispin Freeman: Mr. Freeman is the American voice actor who has supplied the voices for such characters as Hallas and Zelgadis in The Slayers, Touga Kiryuu and Dios in Revolutionary Girl Utena, Captain Tylor in Irresponsible Captain Tylor, and Spark from the Lodoss War TV series.

Scott Frazier: Mr. Frazier is veteran animator, former head of a Thailand animation studio, former producer for Production IG, and consultant/guru for the RETAS animation software package. Bottom line: Scott has more interesting stories about what it's really like to work in anime production than anyone in the English speaking world.

Steve Bennett: Mr. Bennett and his fine Studio Ironcat crew bring their wits and skills to their adoring fans along with stories about leading a company bringing over translated manga, the legendary Civil War cap, and advice for the aspiring artists.

Robert DeJesus: Mr. DeJesus brings with him his history about self-published doujinshi, being a contributing artist for PSM Magazine, and one time artist for Ninja High School.

Bruce Lewis: Mr. Lewis is a prolific manga and graphic artist, Starblazers/Yamato guru, and overall smooth operator. His manga classes at ACen are designed to teach and inspire and he has packed workshops to prove it!

Amy Howard Wilson: Mrs. Wilson is best known for being the inspiring voice of Nova from the classic Star Blazers and is also on the road towards venturing further into the voice acting world with some new roles.

Fred "piro" Gallagher: Mr. Gallagher, artist from the popular site, Megatokyo, brings with him inspiration and an attitude for humbled success with a growing fanbase fervently tuned into his artistic awareness of the anime and gaming fan community.

Toshihiro Kawamoto busy at his autograph session.

Buddies Dave and Amy Wilson and Crispin Freeman are ready and pumped up for the energetic ACen2002 Masquerade night.

Jessica Calvello thanks the audience for another great year!


Crispin Freeman gives insight into the voice acting world at the Voice Acting Panel.	Hilary Haag at her voice acting panel with Tiffany Grant.	Hidenori Matsubara and his road manager watching all the cool cosplayers in the halls.