Akibafest December 27, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ON 12/12/2006

Experience a Taste of Japanese Pop Culture in Springfield, Virginia

SPRINGFIELD, VA – December 11, 2006, – Anime FX presents the Akiba Fest Christmas Cosplay Cosplay Ball on December 27, 2006 from 7pm – 12am at the Hilton Springfield, Springfield Virginia.

Anime FX, one of the largest Asian entertainment specialty stores on the East Coast and partner company, TenBu Productions, presents “Akiba Fest;” a new venture created to bring authentic Japanese pop culture to the United States! Different from standard Anime Conventions, Akiba Fest focuses on specific events and activities that feature or relate to Japanese entertainers and artists. To jump start their wave of new and unique events that will take place on a yearly basis, Anime FX introduces the Christmas Cosplay Concert Ball to be held at on December 27. 2006 at the Hilton Springfield!

The Christmas Cosplay Concert Ball is a new and exciting rendition to Anime FX’s already popular annual cosplay contest that this December will feature live performances by the Japanese pop group unicorn table, here in America for the first time, and Japanese cosplay model, Mai! Cash prizes totaling up to $900 will be distributed to the winners of this year’s 4th annual cosplay contest and for the first time, free Asian style buffet and drinks will be served. Collectable merchandise will be on sale and rare door prizes will be awarded to some lucky attendees. Also added to this years activities will be dancing and shuttle service to and from the local Franconia, Springfield Metro station provided by K Jennings Scion of Springfield, Virginia and the Scion Evolution team.

Cosplay:
See a splendor of costumes and characters taken from Anime, video games and manga. From homemade to professional, all are colorful and exciting to watch as cosplayers creativity and showmanship is judged in Anime FX’s annual contest to find the king or queen of all cosplayers.

Opening act:
Mai is a bilingual rising gothic cosplayer, Jpop singer, model and costume designer that is rapidly breaking into the Japanese and American Anime scene through Cosplay and singing. Mai’s first American appearance at the 2006 Kentucky based, Sugoicon convention captured the hearts of American Anime Fans. She was recently chosen as a Personality of the Week by the prestigious anime website “aFansView.com.” and has grown in popularity since returning home to Japan.

Headlining:
unicorn table is a popular Japanese pop rock group comprised of two talented veterans of the Japanese music industry. “unicorn table's” debut album "uncountable" was an instant hit in Japan and features hit songs from Japanese Animation "Jinki:Extend" and "School Rumble." The Japanese version of their CD will be available at this event and will be released nationwide early next year.

This event starts at 7pm and is sponsored by KJ Scion, Scion Evolution, door prizes courtesy of the anime “Gunbuster” from Bandai Visual U.S.A. Presented by TenBu Productions and hosted by the new cosplay group the “AFX Moe Doru Team”. Presale tickets on sale at www.afxakibafest.com or in person at Anime FX- Springfield Mall, Springfield, Virginia

ABOUT ANIME FX: Anime FX is an Asian entertainment rental and retail outlet out of Springfield, Virginia that also has a focus on Asian events and Pop Culture. Recently Anime FX created Akiba Fest to manage the many popular events that the store has hosted throughout the past years. For more information please visit: www.afxsales.com.

ABOUT THE OWNER OF ANIME FX:
Mainichi News Paper, of Japan, introduced Austell Callwood as “a creator of Otaku Culture in the United States.” A 13 year veteran of the American anime Field, Austell already has changed the image of the standard Anime store and is breaking ground with his production and management company, TenBu Productions that houses his self Authored and illustrated Japanese styled graphic novel “Cove Pirate Mercenary”.

For more information:
www.afxakibafest.com
[email protected]

*** for press agencies only- Please do not print***
To Inquiry about private of Interviews with entertainers please contact Austell Callwood at:
[email protected]
[email protected]

Official Website: http://www.afxakibafest.com/