- August 2-4, 2024
Otakon 2017 Guests
Here's the Guest line-up from Otakon 2017!
AUN&HIDE
Wadaiko Drummers: Sunday ConcertMastering both the dynamic and lively beats of a Matsuri and refreshing sounds inspired by nature, AUN&HIDE’s music is bound to reach your heart and purify your soul.
Ei Aoki
Animation DirectorEi Aoki is an animation director. Since his directorial debut in 2004, Aoki has worked on many critically acclaimed titles such as “Ga-Rei: Zero”, “the Garden of Sinners”, and “Fate/Zero”.
Sandy Fox
Voice Actress, Actor, Singer, ProducerSandy is known for voicing the Queen of Cartoons - Betty Boop, but she is also well know for many Anime roles. She is currently voicing Chibiusa and Black Lady in the new Viz Media Sailor Moon and Sailor Moon Crystal Series.
Toshio Furukawa
Voice ActorToshio Furukawa is a prolific Japanese voice actor (affiliated with Aoni Production) who has voiced a myriad of roles for over 4 decades starting back in the 1970s.
Kyle Hebert
Voice ActorKyle Hebert is a Los Angeles-based anime and video game voice actor who is best known as the Narrator and Teen Gohan from the Funimation dub of Dragonball Z, and is currently heard on Dragonball Super on Cartoon Network.
Shino Kakinuma
Voice ActressShe can be heard in various roles in anime including "GeGeGe no Kitaro", "Urusei Yatsura", "Legend of the Galactic Heroes", and "Be-Bop High School".
Kuniko Kanawa
Priestess, Consultant, ModelKuniko Kanawa is a certified Kimono consultant, Kimono model, founder of Washington D.C. Kimono Club, Edo Tsumami Kanzashi artisan, and also a certified Shinto priestess.
Roland Kelts
AuthorRoland Kelts is an authority on contemporary Japanese culture and media. He writes for several publications and is the author of the critically acclaimed bestseller, Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture has Invaded the US.
Tetsuya Kinoshita
ProducerHe served as the production manager of the animation part in the film Kill Bill: Volume 1 and the animated television series Otogi Zoshi.
Tomoki Kyoda
DirectorTomoki Kyoda, a director and unit director, made his Directorial debut in 2003 with the theatrical film RahXephon: Pluralitas Concentio.
Lex Lang
Voice Actor & DirectorOver the last 20 years Lex has been in over five hundred Original Animation episodes, Anime series, and Video Games and has played a wide assortment of fan favorites throughout his career.
Man-at-Arms
MetalsmithsYou know them best as the master craftsmen behind the hit Youtube series MAN AT ARMS:REFORGED. The masters at Baltimore Knife and Sword are returning this year and this time they're bringing a surprise for everyone!
Masao Maruyama
Producer & Honorary Otakon StaffMaruyama was involved in the establishment of MADHOUSE in 1972. Since then, he has nurtured talents such as Tetsuro Araki, Atsuko Ishizuka and the late Satoshi Kon.
Hidenori Matsubara
Animator & DirectorAs a young and hungry animator, Hidenori Matsubara worked as an in-betweener on the Project A-Ko movies. From there, he served as an animator on "Bubblegum Crisis" and "Gunbuster".
Takanori Matsuoka
ProducerAfter Takanori Matsuoka joined PONY CANYON INC., where he worked on many profitable projects of the company such as “DEVIL SURVIVER 2 the ANIMATION” and ”ROKKA”
Jamie McGonnigal
Voice Actor, Producer, AdvocateJamie has been a voice actor for nearly 20 years and known for roles in Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX & 5Ds, One Piece and more.
Vic Mignogna
Voice Actor, Actor, ProducerVic has been in more than three hundred animated series and video games! Vic works regularly writing, producing and directing video and film productions of all kinds.
Chris Niosi
Animation Artist, Creator, & Voice ActorIn the anime world, his credits include the likes of Reigen Arataka (Mob Psycho 100), Dezel (Tales of Zestiria), Garma Zabi (Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin), & Lagos (Patema Inverted)
Tony Oliver
Voice Actor, Writer, ProducerTony Oliver began his career 25 years ago as an actor on stage and camera. He found success as a voice over artist in one of the first foreign made animated features to receive wide US release ("The Sea Prince and the Fire Child").
Tyson Rinehart
Voice Actor, ScriptwriterTyson is best known for his work in anime and video games, including Steins;Gate, All Out!!, Danganronpa The Animation, Hetalia The Beautiful World, One Piece Film Gold and more!
Michelle Ruff
Voice ActressMichelle, originally a midwestern girl from The Motor City Madhouse now hails from Sunny Los Angeles. She’s thrilled to be at Otakon to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of one of her fav characters and shows Yoko Littner and Gurren Lagann from Aniplex!
Frederik L. Schodt
Writer, Translator, InterpreterFred specializes in currents of thought flowing between Japan and North America, and writes extensively on popular culture, technology, and history.
Stephanie Sheh
Voice Actress, Director, WriterStephanie looks forward to meeting everyone at the convention. She hopes to create amazing fun new memories and inspire people to be the best version of themselves they can be.
Michael Sinterniklaas
Director, Actor, WriterMichael is a prolific actor and has voiced a countless roles in anime with his most recent major role being Taki in the award winning movie by Makoto Shinkai - "Your Name."
Katsuyuki Sumizawa
Screenwriter & NovelistHe has worked on various famous shows including Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, Dragonball Z, Sailor Moon, Yu Yu Hakusho, Macross 7, Inuyasha, and Naruto.
Hideyuki Tomioka
Managing Director & ProducerHe joined SUNRISE to help with the production of Fang of the Sun Dougram as a part-timer before working his way to becoming a full time producer.
Shimba Tsuchiya
Actor, Voice ArtistShimba Tsuchiya's notable works include Welcome to the Ballroom and Haikyuu!!: Karasuno Koukou VS Shiratorizawa Gakuen Koukou.
Matsuri Cultural Celebration Guests
Stella Chuu
CosplayerStella Chuu is a cosplayer from Los Angeles and New York. She makes brilliantly detailed costumes, travels to conventions around the world, and works to promote geek culture.
Project BECK
Tribute BandProject BECK, a tribute band for the anime series "BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad," combines the talents of six friends, including voice actor Greg Ayres.
The Slants
Rock BandPortland’s The Slants are the first and only all-Asian American dance rock band in the world. They offer up catchy dance beats, strong hooks, and a bombastic live show that is “not to be missed.”
Featured DJs
AK1200
Saturday Midnight-2AMThe longest running D&B DJ in the USA and founder of Big Riddim Recordings, Dave AK1200, has been a driving force within Drum and Bass culture in America since its inception.
Legion
Saturday 10:30-MidnightFew artists boast the creative scope of Lee Griffin and Hunter Watson, professionally known as 'Legion'. From their humble debut in 2009 on their own seminal USA based label 'Sine Language' to now releasing globally renowned anthems on most every competitive label in the industry, it is apparent the duo's technicality often goes unrivaled.
