img_5363.jpgMike (BlankLogo.com) and Rob from COIN-OP TV attended Anime Expo 2008 this week in Los Angeles. Attendance increased this year with numbers higher then 34,000 and growing over the weekend! Not familiar with Anime Expo? Shame on you! AX is the big one for all things anime, cosplay and Japanese culture! The exhibit hall is full of over 100 vendors and companies out to sell and show you their fantastic goodies. Cosplayers (people with costumes of their favorite anime or video game character) frequent the floor in full force. In many ways the cosplaying alone is reason enough to attend this event, however, if you are not interested in that there are many other forms of entertainment.

In rooms around the exhibit hall you can find panels with special guests of honors like voice actors David Hayter (Metal Gear Solid 4), Toshihiko Seki and performer Shoko Nakagawa. Anime Expo 2008 has taken over most of downtown Los Angeles, including not only the Convention Center but the Nokia Theatre. Having access to the Nokia Theatre is a bonus and houses events like AX Idol and the Masquerade. Forget long lines and waiting out in the sun for hours – having the event in the LA Convention Center is a plus because wait times are extremely short for registration and just about everything is under the roof.

Lucky for us – video games were represented at the show, as well. Namco Bandai was present showing off a major upcoming title in Soul Calibur IV and Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm, Nexon had playable versions of their hit games Audition, Maple Story and the recent hit Mabinogi and D3 Publishers brought along Bangai-O Spirits for the DS and Naruto Clash of the Ninja Revolution 2 for the Wii.

For those attending this four day event – be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring water bottles as there is much to see and enjoy!

For more visit: http://www.anime-expo.org

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