Guests
Come meet some fantastic guests. Autographs with our amazing guests are always free at our events, although they may be limited to only the first few people or only an item per person, as we try to do our best to accommodate our guests.
Steve Blum
With hundreds of V/O credits to his name, Veteran Voice Monkey Steve Blum is best known as the voice of “Spike Spiegel” from Cowboy Bebop, “Wolverine” from several incarnations of X-Men (animated movies, games, the Wolverine and the X-Men TV Series, The Super Hero Squad Show, X-Men Anime and more), “Orochimaru,” “Zabuza,” and others from Naruto, “Green Goblin” from the Spectacular Spiderman series, “Heatblast,” “Vilgax” and “Ghostfreak” from Ben 10, “Grayson Hunt” (Bulletstorm) “Grunt” (Mass Effect 2 and 3),“Zoltan Kulle” from Diablo 3, “Abathur” from Starcraft 2:Heart of the Swarm, “Tank Dempsey” (Call of Duty), “Killer Croc” from Arkham Asylum, “Oghren” (DragonAge),“Vincent Valentine” (Final Fantasy VII), “Leeron” (Guren Lagann), “Jamie” from Megas XLR, “Storm Troopers” and many others in most of the Star Wars games, The voice of 7-11, dozens of Digimon and a gigantic list of other characters from Anime, Video Games, TV and Film. In 2012, Steve was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records as Most Prolific Voice Actor in Video Games – appearing in almost 300 games (now approaching 400!)
Lately you can catch him as the terrible Jindiao in Dreamworks’ Kung Fu Panda: Paws of Destiny, Wheeljack in the BumbleBee Feature film, Returning as Tank Dempsey in COD Black Ops 4, Grimstroke in Dota 2, Roy Evans in Angel of Vine – the true crime podcast, “Zeb Orrelios” and other characters in the incredible saga that is Star Wars: Rebels on Disney XD, as “Shoe” and “Sparky” in Laika’s The Boxtrolls, and as astronaut Quentin Thomas on Hip Hop superstar LOGIC’s amazing albums “The Incredible True Story,” “Everybody,” and “Young Sinatra 4” and on camera in Logic’s music video for the song “Everyday.” Also appearing as “Nar Est” and “Rasper” in Amazon’s Niko and the Sword of Light, “Frank” the flying monkey and others in Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz on Boomerang, as “Makucha” the Leopard on Disney’s The Lion Guard and as Lovable Pub Thug “Attila Buckethead” and more in Disney’s Tangled television series! And see if you can find his characters in Star Wars Solo, Incredibles 2 and Goosebumps 2 feature films!
He’s also appeared in the Emmy award-winning Transformers: Prime, playing “Starscream.” “Green Lantern” in Injustice 2, “Sub-Zero,” “Reptile and “Bo’Rai Cho” in Mortal Combat X, Several characters in Wabbit, Ultimate Spider Man, Ben 10: Omniverse, The Regular Show, Doc McStuffins, Uncle Grandpa, Wander over Yonder, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Scooby Doo, Guild Wars 2, Peabody and Sherman, Pickle and Peanut, Transformers Rescue Bots, Star Wars Rogue One (the feature film!), and as the terrifying anti-bender “Amon” on the hit series Avatar: The Legend of Korra!
And every Saturday night, Steve continues to take the helm as “TOM,” the robotic host of Cartoon Network’s Toonami on Adult Swim.
Mary Elizabeth McGlynn
Mary Elizabeth McGlynn is a voice over director and actor of original animation and foreign dubbing. Mary Elizabeth started as a voice director of Anime dubs with Cowboy Bebop, Digimon Tamers, Wolf’s Rain, Naruto and Naruto Shippuden and Glitter Force. She then moved on to dialogue directing for original animation and is currently voice directing She-Ra: Princesses of Power, Star Wars Resistance, Tangled: The Series and Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz as well as 4 new shows that have yet to be announced. She also directed the VO on Billy Dilley’s Super Subterranean Summer and Penn Zero: Part Time Hero for Disney. She has directed the 6 Naruto Movies and received the SPJA award for best director for her work on the series. She has also voice directed many video game titles which include Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, World of Warcraft, Heroes of the Storm, Diablo 3, Afro Samurai and Silent Hill.
As an actress, she soon to be heard in Carmen Sandiego, and is currently voicing Freya Fenris, 4D-MIN and Jooks in Star Wars Resistance, Horned Goon in She-Ra, Governor Pryce in Star Wars Rebels, Dr. Maheswaran in Steven Universe, Dynamite Watkins in OKKO, Valkyrie in Lego Marvel’s Avengers, Talis in StarCraft II, Johanna in Heroes of the Storm, Naoto in Persona 4, Queen Metalia in Sailor Moon Crystal and Brooha in Glitter Force. Mary Elizabeth also portrayed Major Motoko Kusanagi in Ghost In The Shell Innocence, Solid State Society and Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex for which she won the American Anime Award for Best Actress and Julia in Cowboy Bebop.
Yuri Lowenthal
Yuri Lowenthal, perhaps best known for his voice work as Sasuke in Naruto, is a writer, actor and producer known for his voice acting in games and animation, including games such as Marvel’s Spider-Man, Dragon Age, Prince of Persia, Sunset Overdrive, Persona, Saints Row, .//Hack, Minecraft Story Mode, shows including Legion of Superheroes, Afro Samurai, Young Justice, RWBY, Camp Camp, Spy Kids: Mission Critical, Ducktales, Space Racers, Batman Ninja, Gotham By Gaslight and Ben 10 and popular anime: Naruto, Tiger & Bunny, Gurren Lagann, just to name a few. TV/Film credits include: Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Criminal Minds, Alias, Hawaii Five-O and Geek&Sundry’s RPG show TitansGrave: The Ashes of Valkana. He appeared on the Critical Role: One Shot with Sam Riegel as well as two episodes of Tabletop on Geek & Sundry. Yuri just starred on-screen in Legendary’s revolutionary sci-fi series Orbital Redux as pilot Max Levodolinsky which aired on Project Alpha. He co-authored Voice-Over Voice Actor: What It’s Like Behind the Mic & sequel VOVA: The Extended Edition with Tara Platt as well as the noirvella Tough City. Lowenthal and Platt also released their second feature film, award-winning mockumentary on pop culture conventions Con Artists, and produced 4 seasons of irreverent web comedy Shelf Life, about 4 action figures on a young boy’s shelf under their production company Monkey Kingdom Productions, which just celebrated its 10th anniversary. The two just gave a TEDx talk on Storytelling. @yurilowenthal
Tara Platt
Actress, author, producer and entrepreneur, Tara has traveled the globe as a speaker and adventurer as well as performing internationally in film, TV, animation and theatre. On-screen credits include TV: Scandal, Revenge, Parenthood, Castle, Gilmore Girls, Hawaii Five-0 and Geek&Sundry’s Tabletop, VO: Marvel’s recent award-winning Marvel’s Spider-Man (as Yuri Watanabe), DC VS MK, League of Legends, Hearthstone, Legion of Superheroes, Naruto, Persona, Ducktales, Sailor Moon, Ben 10, Saints Row, Drakengard3, RWBY, Gundam Unicorn, and Sunset Overdrive. Sitcom Whatta Lark that she produced and stars in opposite drag-sensation Poppy Fields, about a childless children’s book author trying to decide to have kids or not is currently streaming on RevryTV and won an IAWTV award. She also produced and starred in award-winning feature mockumentary Con Artists (official selection of Mockfest 2014/GeekFest 2015) and 4 seasons of Geekie nominated irreverent cult hit comedy Shelf Life with husband-in-crime Yuri Lowenthal. The two wrote the award-winning Voice-Over Voice Actor and the sequel VOVA: The Extended Edition for anyone interested in getting into voice-over. Tara recently released children’s book Relax Your Toes and interactive book Zartana about a traveling Romani available now through Bug Bot Press. She also acts/writes and produces with their Monkey Kingdom Productions. Platt and Lowenthal just gave a TEDx talk on Storytelling. @taraplatt
Aurelio Voltaire
Aurelio Voltaire is often described as a modern day renaissance man. He is a singer/ performer, creator of comic books, animation and toys.
An internationally touring musician, he is at the forefront of the Gothic, Steampunk and Dark Cabaret genres headlining some of the biggest horror, sci-fi and comic book conventions as well as Gothic and Steampunk festivals for nearly two decades. His music can best be described as a collection of murder ballads, tongue-in-cheek exercises in the macabre, with just enough bawdy songs about Star Trek and Star Wars to keep a convention audience rolling in the aisles. Many know him for his songs “Brains!” and “Land of the Dead” from the Cartoon Network show “The Grim Adventures of Billy And Mandy”. Voltaire’s live shows, whether solo or with his skeletal orchestra, are full of stories and games. Many describe his shows as sitting around a fire while an old friend regales you with tales, presuming that old friend drinks a liter of rum a night, dates zombie prostitutes and wrestles Krakens.
Voltaire has been recording and touring for over 20 years. He’s released 13 full length CDs. Most recently, Aurelio Voltaire can be seen in his informative and hilarious Youtube series, Gothic Homemaking. In this show, that can best be described as Pee Wee’s Playhouse for spooky kids, he demonstrates how to turn your boring apartment into a Gothic lair with the help of a desiccated co-host, Orville Deadenbacher and a bunch of other recurring monster characters.
Steam Powered Giraffe
The robots of Steam Powered Giraffe are like nothing you’ve ever seen. The malfunctioning joke-spewing metal men play a collection of original Vaudeville inspired tunes fused with modern flare and executed in a super-sleek, one-of-a-kind performance. More than just a band, Steam Powered Giraffe is an experience that must be seen and heard by the entire family.
The artists behind the SPG robots started street busking as these quirky characters back in January 2008 at Balboa Park, California, instantly drawing the attention of Southern California. They have since performed at such venues as The San Diego Fair, The San Diego Zoo, The Wild Animal Park, Legoland, Ontario Mills, and numerous Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Steampunk Conventions.
Their act combines the visual of robot pantomime with sketches, pop culture references, improvised comedic dialogue, and of course, original music. From their heartwarming nostalgic melodies to their funky cabaret rock, Steam Powered Giraffe’s songs are memorable, infectious, and as unique as the robots themselves.
Raj Ramayya
Raj Ramayya is an Indo-Canadian singer, composer and lyricist. His claim to anime fame would be his musical collaborations with famed Japanese composer Yoko Kanno as a member of The Seatbelts. Raj sang the opening credits song “Ask DNA” and wrote the lyrics for “Cosmic Dare (Pretty with a Pistol)” from the fan favourite feature film Cowboy Bebop: the Movie, and both sang and wrote the lyrics for “Strangers” from the anime series Wolf’s Rain. Not limited to music in anime, he has also worked on songs for video games from the likes of Konami, Sega, and Capcom.
Raj has been featured as a guest vocalist/composer with several distinguished artists, ranging from talented composers Yoko Kanno (Escaflowne, Cowboy Bebop, Wolf’s Rain) and Tatsuya Oe (Captain Funk, Hotei), to gifted lyricists Chris Mosdell (Eric Clapton, YMO) and Ron Sexsmith, and everyone in-between. His work has won him multiple awards and critical acclaim from around the world.
Among his other projects are the electronic Indian fusion music project “Bhang Lassi”, the alternative Indian-influenced folk rock band “The Beautiful Losers”, and session singing for products ranging from Asahi Beer and KFC, to Toyota and Coca-Cola. He is also a guest vocalist with three different Japanese electronic music groups; Captain Funk, Akakage, and Studio Apartment, with SA’s song “Strawberry Rainbow” (which Raj both sung and wrote lyrics for) hitting #1 on the iTunes Japan charts! Raj is excited to be making a triumphant return to Anime Midwest and can’t wait to perform for everyone for the second year! For more information, you can visit him online at http://www.rajramayya.com.
Samurai Dan and Jillian
The husband and wife team of Daniel and Jillian Coglan are full-time martial art instructors, specializing in 16th century Samurai Arts. When not teaching at their dojo, the Kojokan, they travel the United States performing and teaching the ancient ways of the most famous warriors in history.
With a combined 35 years of experience, their show is a unique blend of history, combative skill, and humor, designed to educate and entertain audiences both large and small.
Beyond their martial skills, the dynamic duo collaborated to write, direct, host, and star in a 12 episode TV series entitled, “The Way of The Samurai.”
Daniel is also an author, with several martial art articles published, and is currently working on his second full-length novel.
Deadlift Lolita
The strongest idol unit ever has arrived! Consisting of 2 active pro-wrestlers, gym junkies and kawaii idols, DEADLIFT LOLITA is here to “redefine the meaning of kawaii.” Following his departure from idol trio LADYBABY August 2016, the amazing lolita-wearing wrestler Ladybeard continues his kawaiicore trend in the new idol group DEADLIFT LOLITA with the bodybuilder idol Reika Saiki. Ladybeard is the persona of a 33-year-old Australian wrestler who moved to China in 2006 to kick-start his martial arts stunt career in films, later becoming a hit in Hong Kong as a pro wrestler in unique outfits. In October 2013 he moved to Tokyo to take his career to the next level as part of an idol group LADYBABY, now known as The Idol Formerly Known as LADYBABY following his departure. This incredibly well-synced new weightlifting and music duo is set to perform several original songs at their live show in Chicago, and Ladybeard’s ‘Kawaiicore’ style screams will be complimented for the first time by his clean voice singing.
Greg Ayres
Greg Ayres has been blasting his way into 2019! He was thrilled to make his second appearance in the DragonBall universe in DragonBall Super as Frost, and equally excited blasting bugs as Geo in Sony Picture’s Starship Troopers : Traitor of Mars. Some other recent roles include Jiro in Concrete Revolutio, Sho Utsumi in SSSSGridman, Ryuuou Edogawa in Doreiku, Koji Koda in My Hero Academia, Yabase in the upcoming dub of Hitorijime My Hero, and even makes an appearance as Popuko in Pop Team Epic. He was also given the opportunity to reprise one of his favorite roles as Son Goku in Saiyuki Reload Blast. With over 290 credits to his name, he has managed to play a variety of characters that are almost as colorful as his hair. Some recent roles include Nagisa Haruki in Free, and Free Eternal Summer, MonoKuma in Danganronpa, Clear in Dramatical Murder, and Doug in Gangsta, Yu Nishinoya in Haikyu, Zenji Marui in Food Wars, Ganta Igarashi in Deadman Wonderland, Heihachi Hayashida in Samurai 7, and Kouichi Sakakibara in Another. Some of his all-time favorite roles include Son Goku in Saiyuki, Chrono in Chrono Crusade, Kaoru Hitachiin in Ouran High School Host Club, Youhei Sunohara in Clannad, Yuki in The Wallflower, Leo in Ghost Stories, Satoshi Hiwatari in DNAngel, Kaworu Nagisa in the Director’s Cut of Neon Genesis Evangelion, Tomoki Sakurai in Heaven’s Lost Property, and Negi Springfield in Negima.When he’s not in a booth with headphones on, you can usually find him sporting headphones behind “the decks” at many a music event. A veteran nightclub DJ of many years, he has jumped at the opportunity to play music and organize late night dances at many of the conventions he attends. Greg is also a member of Project BECK, who perform music from the anime Beck Mongolian Chop Squad, and has had a blast reliving the music from that show with his friends. Thrilled to be able to share his love of music with anyone willing to listen –from packed rooms at anime conventions, to the legendary stage ofThe Knitting Factory (NYC), he’s always ready to make a little noise.
Mega Ran
Mega Ran personifies with Hip-Hop should be: Spontaneous, fun, and true. Every album, starting with “Mega Ran” in 2007, conveys a different theme, a different vibe, and a different emotion. “Mega Ran” was a collection of sampled 8-bit beats from the hit “Mega Man” video game series, which was quickly discovered by CAPCOM. Instead of shutting down this hit music, CAPCOM offered Mega Ran a special licensing agreement and booked him to perform at Comic-Con and other special events. Since then he’s released albums including “RANDOMONIUM” and “FOREVER FAMICON” and “Black Materia,” and has toured with acts such as mc chris and MC Lars, playing in the US, UK, and Japan. He’s appeared in Playstation: The Official Magazine and Game Informer. Fans can learn more about Ran and download free songs at his website, megaran.com
Margaret McDonald
Margaret (Meg) McDonald is a Houston based actress and all around nerd. McDonald first got started after auditioning while she was still in school. After getting her BA in Drama at the University of St. Thomas, Meg pursued a full time acting career in the booth as well as onstage. Her most notable roles in anime are “Rikka Takanashi” in Love, Chunibyo, and Other Delusions, “Tamako Kitashrikawa” inTamako Market, “Miho Nishizumi” in Girls und Panzer, and “Isuzu” in Log Horizon. She can also has supporting roles in Watamote, Hakouki, Little Busters, Maria Holic, Mayo Chiki, Rozen Maiden: Zuruckenspulen, Maidsama, and Nobunaga the Fool to name a few. She also appears in Parasyte: The Maxim and Akame Ga Kill.This is her first appearance at Anime California and she couldn’t be happier.
Luci Christian
Luci Michelle Christian is a voice actress and ADR script writer at Funimation and Seraphim Digital/Sentai Filmworks. She has provided voices for a number of English versions of Japanese anime series, and video games. Notable anime roles include Ochaco Uraraka in My Hero Academia, Reg in Made in Abyss, Touko in Bloom Into You, Honey in Ouran Host Club, Kaname in the Full Metal Panic! Series, Psiren and Wrath in Fullmetal Alchemist, Nami in One Piece, Kyuta in The Boy and the Beast, Lenalee in D. Grayman, Asuna in Negima, Alois in Black Butler, Tenma in School Rumble, Rico in Gunslinger Girl, Ophelia in Claymore, Makina in Shikabane Hime, Birdy in Birdy the Mighty: Decode, the Narrator in Kamisama Kiss, Hungary in Hetalia, and Medusa in Souleater, Trixie in Blade Runner: Black Out 2022, Cocona in Flip Flappers, Yuki in Food Wars, Chihaya in Chihayafuru, Carmen in Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars, Hestia in DanMachi, Satomi Murano in Parasyte: The Maxim, Deunan in Appleseed, Elsie in the World God Only Knows, Kelly in Halo Legends, Mirai Onozawa in Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, Nagisa in Clannad, Ringo in Air Gear, Mako in Nerima Daikon Brothers, Milia Fallyna in Macross, Haruko in Air, Risa in D.N. Angel, Tetsu in Peace Maker Kurogane, Duck/Tutu in Princess Tutu, Jinpei in Gatchaman and Paiman in Gatchaman Crowds, Sasshi in Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi, and Yukari in Azumanga Daioh. You can also let her read you books on Audible! She @lucilovesmic on Twitter and can be found online at www.lucichristian.com.
Chuck Huber
Chuck Hubers most recent anime roles are Android 17, Emperor Pilaf and Kibito in Dragon Ball Super, Kurogiri in My Hero Academia, Jajuka in Escaflowne, Kuro in Servamp, Kuniharu in The Disastrous Life of Saiki K, Asanaga in Endride, Kyūta’s Father in The Boy and Beast, Tony Stark in Death Battle, and Jason the Toymaker in CreepyPasta. Chuck Huber started acting in Anime in DBZ. Since then he has voiced hundreds of characters including Hiei in YuYu Hakusho, Stein in Soul Eater, Kululu in Sgt. Frog, Mohji in One Piece, Shou Tucker in Full Metal Alchemist. He has been a writer on Hetalia, Sgt. Frog, Baccano, Spice and Wolf, Strike Witches, Dragonaut and Skip Beat!
Video games Chuck has contributed voices for include Borderlands II, Ghostbusters, The Walking Dead, Aeon Flux, DBZ, Smite, The Killing Floor… among others. As a filmmaker Chuck has acted, produced, written or directed for Arbor Day – The Musical currently on Amazon Prime, Prince Adventures, The Troubadoors, The Fragility of Seconds, The Mechanical Grave, Odd Man Out among others. He began acting in Chicago at the Goodman Theater, Court Theater, Steppenwolf Theater after graduating from DePaul University and continues to work on stages in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He also plays Dr. McCoy in Star Trek Continues; Dean Hansen on Season 2 of American Crime on ABC and Detective Swinton in the The Harrowing.
DC Douglas
D.C. Douglas hates third person biographies. But he loves conventions and meeting fans. So he wrote this. Video game fans know him as Albert Wesker in seven “Resident Evil” games — from 2007’s “Umbrella Chronicles” to 2016’s “Umbrella Corp” — a decade of badassery. Oh, and there’s Legion in “Mass Effect” 2 & 3, Kamoshida in “Persona 5,” Pod 042 in “Nier: Automata,” Azrael in “Blazeblue,” Gafka in “Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology,” Raven in “Tekken 6,” foxy grandpa Gunter in “Fire Emblem: Fates” and many more Japanese RPGs and indie American games (see DCDouglas.com/cons).
Anime fans may know him as X Drake in “One Piece,” Shoot McMahon in “Hunter x Hunter,” Locus in “Berserk,” The Professor in “Cyborg 009,” Jasley in “Mobile Suit Gundam: IBO” season 2, Vincent Pike in “MSGT: Bandit Flower,” Genji Kamogawa in “Hajime no ippo,” Shori Shibuya in “God, Save Our King!” and many more too obscure to list. Cartoon fans know him as Chase on “Transformers: Rescue Bots,” Colonel Rawls on the final season of “Regular Show,” Superman on “Family Guy,” Mick in “The Tom and Jerry Show,” Sylvas/Aikor in “The Monchichi Tribe” and a few pilots that died lonely and unseen.
FILM & TV: Pa Kettle in “Z Nation,” Bud in “Sharknado 2,” Zepht in “Star Trek: Enterprise,” Aiden Wexler in SyFy’s “Isle of the Dead,” and another 200+ appearances on random shows and weird films over the last 25 years. Check him out on IMDB and DCDouglas.com to spot more titles you know.
Russell Lissau
By day, Russell Lissau is a mild-mannered newspaper reporter in suburban Chicago. By night, he battles evil writing comic books including THE BATMAN STRIKES and the critically acclaimed OLD WOUNDS. His newest projects include the devil-comes-to-dine drama DINNER AT DANTE’S and the science fiction tale TERROR FIRMA. For more, check out www.facebook.com/russell.lissau
Ogawa Burukka
Ogawa Burukku is an American artist who in 2004 moved to Japan to study manga at the Nippon Designer Gakuin and work on her Japanese language abilities. After graduating with honors, she ended up staying in Japan to get work as an assistant manga artist and translator. Since then, she has worked with both Japanese and American studios and publishers as a manga artist, illustrator, storyboard artist, and translator, as well as occasionally lending her voice for narration and vocal jobs.
Up until September of 2012, Ogawa Burukku had worked on other properties or short projects (one-shots, or yomikiri), but FaLLEN was her first ongoing project, and she’s been working on it almost exclusively ever since. It started out as a webcomic but has since been published independently in paperback form, thanks to funding by readers through Kickstarter. The project is a dream project of hers that she has been developing since high school, with the idea that she wanted to create an alternative magical girls series featuring an atypical lead with elements that could appeal to both male and female readers. “It’s the series I wanted as a kid but never got to have… so I made it myself!”
Oscar Seung
Oscar Seung hails from Lausanne, Switzerland and is a Dallas-based actor, opera singer, violinist, pianist, and conductor. Oscar is proud to represent Asian-Americans in theater, film, voice overs, and national commercials. In an effort to combat misrepresentation and underrepresentation of Asian-Americans in the arts, he created/produced/ and stars in American Dynasty – it will hopefully be the first Asian-American drama on television. The project has been screened at over a dozen domestic/international film festivals and won Audience Favorite at the Houston Asian American Film Festival, Best Screenplay at the Largo Film Awards, Best Domestic Short nomination at the Fort Worth Indie Showcase, and Best Actor nomination for Oscar at the Ouchy Film Festival. Voice over credits include Yuri!!! on Ice (Seung-Gil Lee), Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru (Kasen Kanesada), Show By Rock!! (Oboro), All Out!! (Yutaka Shinshi), Shounen Maid (Ibuki), One Piece (Daruma), Prince of Stride: Alternative (Nanpei Aoba), Fairy Tail, The Heroic Legend of Arslan, Garo: Crimson Moon, SHIMONETA: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn’t Exist.
YTCracker
YTCracker is a rapper, former cracker, and Internet entrepreneur. YTCracker began producing rap music in 1998 in the genre that has since become known as nerdcore hip hop. YTCracker is a self-proclaimed “jack of all trades”, also making a name for himself as a professional disc jockey, computer programmer, graphics designer and webmaster.
Zwei
Zwei is a Japanese duo band which is composed of Megu (Ba.) and Ayumu (Vo.). They met in 2002 and felt connected through their music. Consequently, they formed Zwei in 2003 and made their major debut with the song “Movie Star” in 2004. Zwei is a German word that means “two”, it’s a symbolization of the unity of their two-different musical styles.
Zwei can convey a variety of feelings through their unique style. They have received invitations to appear throughout the world. Zwei appeared four times on “Animelo Summer Live”, which is the largest annual anime music festival in Japan. Also, they appear on many anime event, such as Netherland’s “ABUNAI”, Malaysia’s “ANIMANGAKI”, Korea’s “MU:CON SEOUL” in 2014, 2015 ,2016 respectively. In 2018, they appear on America’s “Anime Matsuri”, and Philippine’s “Cosplay Mania”. Furthermore, they have been appearing on Germany’s “AnimagiC” since 2013 annually.
They joined to 5pb. Records and released their song “Mephistopheles no Mokushi” (メフィストフェレスの黙示) in 2009. In 2012, they released the theme songs of the novel game and TV anime ROBOTICS;NOTES , called “Kakucho Place”(拡張プレイス) and “Junjou Spectra” (純情スペクトラ). In 2014, Zwei released a collaborative single “Brave the Sky” with Ito Kanako. Also, they released their mini album “Ley Line” which Integrates loud rock style and quality melody in a great balance in June 2017. In 2018, they released “LAST GAME” which is the ending theme song of TV anime Steins;Gate 0 in April, and “Avant Story” which is theme song of novel game ROBOTICS;NOTES DaSH in December.
Fuki
Fuki made her major debut in 2011 as the vocalist of the band “LIGHT BRINGER”. She has profound knowledge of novel, manga, and anime from a young age. Her favorite content is JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and Karakuri Circus. In 2015, she appeared in the Sound Horizon’s 9th Story Concert “Nein”. Fuki is now active in three bands that called “DOLL$BOXX”, “Unlucky Morpheus” and “LIGHT BRINGER”. After belonging to the entertainment office “amuleto”, she made her solo debut in 2016 June as “Fuki Commune”. She is releasing her new song “Kamisama wa Kitto”(神様はきっと) on February 13th, 2019, which is the ending theme of TV anime W”z. Her singing voice is reputedly powerful, energetic and expressive. In addition, she works not only as a singer, but also as voice actress. She had voiced for TV shows, anime and games.
Trevor Mueller
Trevor Mueller works at an advertising agency by day, and writes comics by night. His latest project is the multi-Harvey-Award nominated webseries ALBERT THE ALIEN (www.AlbertTheAlien.com). He has contributed stories to several anthologies, including READING WITH PICTURES, KILLER QUEEN, and AW YEAH COMICS. He is also the writer / artist / creator of several award-winning webcomic series (www.trevoramueller.com), and regularly reviews movies, video games, and comics. Trevor also appears on occasional episodes of the popular web series NOSTALGIA CRITIC, as well as AWESOME COMICS on the CHANNEL AWESOME website and YouTube pages. Trevor currently lives in Chicago with his wife, his baby daughter, and his cat, Waffles.
Vocamerica
VOCAMERICA is a certified Fan-Produced VOCALOID concert event featuring Western VOCALOIDS and Vocal Synths. The project is the creation of Virginia-based VOCALOID producer EmpathP. The goal of VOCAMERICA is to educate and entertain fans of this ever-growing musical phenomenon with emphasis on the more uncommon Western VOCALOIDs. This is achieved through providing live holographic concerts, lectures, and workshops to conventions and expos all over the world.
Lia
The exceptionally beautiful and wildly talented Japanese artist known as Lia began her singing career at age 15, when she moved from Japan to the United States. During her stay in America, she was chosen to be a vocalist of the game, TV, and theatrical version of the “AIR” visual novel theme song, “Tori no Uta,” which means “Birds Poetry.” Because of her transparent voice quality and outstanding ability to sing everything from pop, classical, to jazz, she became known as the Diva of Crystal Voice. Even after returning to Japan, she received offers from multiple agencies who wanted to utilize her abilities in their various projects. Her popularity has continued to soar because of her singing of theme songs of popular anime episodes, video games, and other musical projects.
In 2010, Lia won third place during the first week of Oricon (Japanese singles popularity chart) with the theme song, “My Soul, Your Beats” of the anime series, “Angel Beats.” During that same year, she won first place in the Independent Chart Section of the Billboard Japan Awards, as well as first place in the 43rd Oricon Annual Ranking anime tie-up singles. She also won a Grammy award for her assistance with the vocals on the album, “Calling All Dawns.” In 2014, she sang the theme song, “JUSTITIA” for the animated television series, “Wizard Barristers.” and the theme song, “Days” for the TV series, “Mekakucity Actors.”
In 2015, she sang a song called “Timeless Tomorrow,” which was used as the theme song of the iOS/Android game app, “Final Fantasy Legends: The Space -Time Crystal.” In that same year, she sang another theme song, titled “Heartily Song,” of the PC game, “Angel Beats! – 1st Beat-”. She also went on to sing the theme song, “Bravely You,” of the 13-episode animated series, “Charlotte.” “Bravely You” won fourth place in the first week of the 2015 Oricon and first place in the first week of the Billboard Japan Anime Chart.
IA
IA is the virtual artist who has a voice with the VOCALOID 3 library (IA -ARIA ON THE PLANETES and IA ROCKS) and with CeVIO library (IA English). Since she was born as a virtual artist in 2012, she has been collaborating with various artists such as Teddy Lloyd and Jin on projects such as the Kagerou Project.
Her first live concert in North America was in July 2015, at the Los Angeles Anime Expo, in front of a sold out crowd of two thousand. Considering that this was her first live, it was a spectacular success! In September of the same year, her first solo live “IA – 1st Live Concert in Japan, PARTY A GO-GO “ was held at the Akasaka Blitz in Tokyo. This concert was also resounding success and as a result, she ended up holding a successful world tour in cities such as New York, London, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Mexico City, San Jose, Costa Rica, Melbourne, Montreal, Santiago, Chile, and Madrid. In addition, her film concerts were featured in more than 100 cities around the world, drawing an audience of over 30,000.
In March 2018, on the latest album “IA/04”, she performed her songs in English for the very first time. In June 2018, at the Digital Art Festival held in Enghien-les-Bains, France, IA’s latest performance, pre-production performance of MUSICAL & LIVE SHOW “ARIA” was held. She has received high critical acclaim at each level of media outlet, including national TV. The IA official website is at http://1stplace.co.jp/ia/
Brian Heinz
Brian Heinz aka the Last Angry Geek, has been producing his own comic book review show for nearly a decade called COMIC BOOK ISSUES. He followed this with a review show about the current run of Dr Who called YOU KNOW WHO. He’s even a perpetual riffer with his show: GEEK-RIFFS and has worked with the crew at Rifftrax. He’s appeared in several online movies: To Boldly Flee, Suburban Knights, it’s sequel (which he wrote and directed) Critics & Creatures and a rarely seen independent film called The Atop the Fourth Wall Movie. He is NOT the Brian Heinz you went to high school with unless you went to York high school from 1994 to 1998.
Jeff Balke
Jeff Balke is an entrepreneur, animator, voice actor, colorist and producer/director who created his own animation studio, Jeff Balke Studios, which focuses on 2D Animation (including CEL Animation). All of the characters and stories are created by Jeff himself. In addition to creating animations, his studio also produces Comic Strips which will be released in 2019. The Studios was founded in 2015 while Jeff was working as an Award Winning Comic Book Colorist and has worked on more than 300 comic books, and has worked with companies such as Marvel, Image, Zenescope, and Storm King Productions just to name a few. Jeff has also been nominated twice for the Eagle Awards for Best Comic Book Colorist, and won the Shel Dorf Award in 2011 for Colorist of the Year. In 2007 he created Sketch ColoringTM (HIS version of commissions). Sketch Coloring is when Jeff colors (with markers by hand) most anything black and white (comic, print, poster etc.) making what’s colored POP right off that image and leaving some of that item black and white, which makes it one of a kind and unique.
Nathan Sharp
At the age of 14, Nathan Sharp, aka NateWantsToBattle, had already been alive for 14 years. Now, at the age of 29, he’s more than doubled that with a 95% chance to reach 30 within the next year. His career as a YouTube musician took off when he created video game parodies, most of which he has removed because he wants to be regarded as a “serious musician” (whatever that means). Since then, he has released 2 original albums (Sandcastle Kingdoms and Paid In Exposure), both of which have charted on Billboard and iTunes. He’s pretty stoked on that.
In 2016, someone made the mistake of letting this guy voice in anime and since then he has voiced in a staggering HANDFUL of shows and video games such as (but not limited to) Yoshichika in Luck & Logic, Craig in Dream Daddy, Damien in Monster Prom, Marcel in Attack on Titan, Bolo in Shantae: Half Genie Hero and Gapri in Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry and also sang the official 2nd Opening of Dragon Ball Super. How neat!
Joel Weiss
Joel Weiss has been an actor for more than 40 years and has appeared in more than 75 films, 60 plays and 40 television shows, and dozens of commercials, including multiple requests by acclaimed film directors Walter Hill, Garry Marshall and Robert Townsend. Joel kicked off his career as one of the stars of the classic cult film “The Warriors” as Cropsey, the Rogue gang member who has the unforgettable part of driving the Hearse http://thewarriors.neoseeker.com/wiki/Rogues%27_hearse. Other cult appearances are in the sci-fi/horror film “Congo” and as Cal Rooney, the carnival barker serial killer killed by fellow serial killer Dexter in the hit TV series “Dexter” http://dexter.wikia.com/wiki/Cal_Rooney. One of Joel’s most recent appearances is in the sequel to another cult film, in The Bronx Bull/Raging Bull 2. In addition, he has appeared in some of television’s most-loved iconic shows, like multiple episodes in both “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” and “Mike Hammer, PI” with Stacy Keach as his loveable but unlucky jailed bookie Morrey. MTV featured Joel as one of four actors, including Blair Underwood, in “True Life: I’m an Actor.” Joel has had starring roles in productions of beloved plays like “The Front Page” (Earl Williams), “Career” (Pinkie Bonaparte) and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (Billy Bibbit). He recently finished “Dirty,” “Spaceman,” “Lost Angela,” “Killer Therapy” and “9/11,” his second of three requested films by director Martin Guigui. Joel is currently set to star in the film “86” from director David Diaz. Joel is a graduate of both Bronx Community College, where he teaches annually and is a spokesman recently honored at New York City Hall, and Lehman College in the Bronx, from which he has a Bachelor of Arts in theatre and speech.
