Pony Canyon Announces Anime Expo 2018 Event Schedules

TOKYO, JAPAN – July 3 rd , 2018 - Audio-visual entertainment company PONY CANYON is pleased to announce Anime Expo 2018 schedule. Con goers will receive a present with select purchases at the PONY CANYON booth (#1600). Additionally, if you come to some PONY CANYON panels, you will receive a special giveaway present while supplies last!

MAIN EVENTS

7/6 (Fri) at 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
LIZ AND THE BLUE BIRD – U.S. Premiere
LP2 / JW - Platinum
Liz and the Blue Bird is the latest film directed by Naoko Yamada and produced by Kyoto Animation, following its critically acclaimed “A Silent Voice”, which touched the hearts of audiences globally. The animated film adaptation of Ayano Takeda's coming-of-age novel “Sound! Euphonium” revolves around a fleetingly beautiful moment in the lives of two girls, Mizore and Nozomi. Don't miss this exciting sneak peek at U.S. premiere with a special guest: kensuke ushio (music composer)!

7/7 (Sat) at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
CUTIE HONEY UNIVERSE – Special Panel with Go Nagai
LP2 / JW - Platinum
Go Nagai's classic blockbuster creations, “Devilman”, “Mazinger Z” and “Cutie Honey” are reborn to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Go Nagai's works. The sexy heroine “Cutie Honey” is returned with a brand new creative staff in “Cutie Honey Universe” to complete the Go Nagai's 50th Anniversary Commemorative Project. Go Nagai will appear to talk about the world of “Cutie Honey Universe” and perform Live Drawing. Watch an episode and don't miss the chance to see the legend!

7/7 (Sat) at 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
KENGAN ASHURA - World Premiere & Guest Talk
Main Events / Hall B
“Kengan Ashura” is an action packed manga series that is getting an anime adaptation for release scheduled in 2019. The story features hired gladiators that join fights called “Kengan Matches” that battle for rights between businesses. It has been nominated as the best comic in the “Web comic selected by a million readers that is really fun to read” awards.
DirectorSeiji Kishi and all-star creators:Yuji Higa (Producer), Makoto Uezu(Series Composition), Yasuharu Takanashi(Music) will participate in the premiere event.

7/7 (Sat) at 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
PONY CANYON - industry panel
LP4 / 411
PONY CANYON presents to you the hottest titles from Japan! Be the first to watch sneak previews of our latest titles, learn about our various anime related events & activities, and ask all your questions to PONY CANYON! Join our jan-ken-pon game and get an exclusive prize. Come to see us!

KASE-SAN AND MORNING GLORIES – Panel & U.S. Premiere
7/8 (Sun) at 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
LP2 / JW – Platinum
Based on a comic series “Kase-san and...” by Hiromi Takashima, Kase-san and Morning Glories is the animated film adaptation produced by director Takuya Sato of STEINS; GATE. The director will talk about the film & perform Live Drawing. Don't miss this exciting sneak peek at its U.S. premiere!

GUESTS

CUTIE HONEY UNIVERSE【Go Nagai】

Born in 1945 in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Made his professional debut in 1967 with “Meakashi Polikichi” followed by mega-hits “Harenchi Gakuin” “Mazinger Z” “Devilman” and “Cutie Honey.” His works have won international acclaim with global popularity and have recently been adapted to live action film. His devoted fan base transcends generations and geographical boundaries.

Events:
7/5 (Thu) 11:50am – 12:50pm Go Nagai Autograph Session @ Kentia Hall Table 1
7/7 (Sat) 12:00pm – 1:00pm CUTIE HONEY UNIVERSE – Special Panel with Go Nagai
7/7 (Sat) 3:00pm – 4:00pm Go Nagai Autograph Session @ Booth#1600
7/8 (Sun) 11:30am – 12:30pm Go Nagai Autograph Session @Kentia Hall Table 2
7/8 (Sun) 1:30pm – 2:30pm Go Nagai Autograph Session @ Booth#1600

KENGAN ASHURA【Seiji Kishi】

For more than a decade, prolific director Seiji Kishi has built a name for himself helming critically acclaimed and popular animation. From early works like “Astro Fighter Sunred”, “My Bride Is a Mermaid” and more other works, Kishi has proven adept at fantasy, supernatural, and sci-fi stories. Other hits have included “Humanity Has Declined”, “Yuki Yuna is a Hero”, and “Persona 4: The Animation”. He received the 19th Animation Kobe Individual award for his achievements through 2014, citing his work directing “Arpeggio of Blue Steel”, in particular. Most recently, Kishi has been hard at work on the well-received “Persona 4, Assassination Classroom”, “Game of Laplace”, “Danganronpa”, “Yuki Yuna is a Hero”, as well as “Kengan Ashura”.

Events:
7/6 (Fri) 2:30pm – 3:00pm Seiji Kishi Autograph Session @ Booth#1600
7/6 (Fri) 4:00pm – 4:30pm Seiji Kishi Autograph Session @ Booth#1600
7/7 (Sat) 2:30 pm – 4:00pm KENGAN ASHURA - World Premiere & Guest Talk
7/7 (Sat) 4:30pm – 5:00pm Seiji Kishi Autograph Session @ Booth#1600

LIZ AND THE BLUE BIRD【kensuke ushio】

First debuting solo in 2008 as "agraph", he has released three albums so far. During the same time as "agraph", he formed a new band, LAMA in 2011 with NAKAKO (iLL/ex. supercar), Miki Furukawa (ex. supercar), and Hisako Tabuchi (bloodthirsty buchers /toddle). Together, they have created the music for the TV anime "Ping Pong the Animation" , ”Space Dandy", "A Silent Voice" (movie), "DEVILMAN crybaby"(Netflix) and more, along with remixing, producing, handling music for commercials, and has been continuously creating musical works in various fields. http://www.agraph.jp

Events:
7/6 (Fri) 10:10am – 11:40am kensuke ushio Autograph Session @ Kentia Hall Table 2
7/6 (Fri) 1:00pm – 1:30pm kensuke ushio Autograph Session @ Booth#1600
7/6 (Fri) 3:00pm – 5:00pm LIZ AND THE BLUE BIRD – U.S. Premiere
7/7 (Sat) 10:10am – 11:40am kensuke ushio Autograph Session @ Kentia Hall Table 2
7/7 (Sat) 12:30pm – 1:30pm kensuke ushio Autograph Session @ Booth#1600

KASE-SAN AND MORNING GLORIES【Takuya Sato】

Notable works as director include “Kase-san and Morning Glories”, “Steins; Gate”, “selector”, “Strawberry Marshmallow”, “NieA under 7”, etc. Notable works as story editor include “Fate/Stay Night” “The Great Passage”, etc. Enjoys music and documentaries.

Events:
7/5 (Thu) 4:30pm – 6:00pm Takuya Sato Autograph Session @ Kentia Hall Table 7
7/6 (Fri) 11:30am – 12:00pm Takuya Sato Autograph Session @ Booth#1600
7/6 (Fri) 12:30pm – 2:00pm Takuya Sato Autograph Session @ Kentia Hall Table 5
7/7 (Sat) 1:30pm – 2:00pm Takuya Sato Autograph Session @ Booth#1600
7/7 (Sat) 3:00pm – 4:30pm Takuya Sato Autograph Session @ Kentia Hall Table 8
7/8 (Sun) 12:30pm – 2:00pm KASE-SAN AND MORNING GLORIES – Panel & U.S. Premiere
7/8 (Sun) 2:30pm – 3:00pm Takuya Sato Autograph Session @ Booth#1600

※ The schedule, exclusive products, and booth specials are subject to change.
※ Check at the booth for specific information about booth autograph sessions and events.

About PONY CANYON INC.

PONY CANYON INC. has been dedicating itself for more than 50 years to the development and nurture of varied types of entertainment software including production, manufacture, and distribution of diverse packaged software, as well as digital distribution services focusing on entertainment. One of the biggest producers/distributors of Blu-rays and DVDs in Japan, PONY CANYON has been involved in the production of many hit anime titles including “Attack on Titan”, “Fairy Tail”, “Welcome to the Ballroom”, and “Free!”.

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