Credit: © Tatsunoko Production/Infini-T Force Production Committee
VIZ Media to Present Producer of Tatsunoko’s Special Anniversary Project
New York, N.Y. (October 26, 2017) – Anime NYC powered by Crunchyroll today announced Kaz Haruna, Producer of Tatsunoko Production’s highly-anticipated “Infinit-T Force,” will appear as a Guest of Honor in partnership with the largest manga and anime publisher in America, VIZ Media. VIZ Media will present an “Infinit-T Force” screening at the convention in addition to a panel featuring Haruna and an autograph signing for fans.
Anime NYC is a Japanese pop culture convention coming to the Javits Center (655 W. 34th St.) November 17-19, bringing fans together with creators and companies from across America and Japan. Kaz Haruna and VIZ Media’s “Infinit-T Force” events are the latest high profile features added at the show, which also includes highlights such as a day-long tribute to “Sailor Moon”; the U.S. premieres of the live-action “Fullmetal Alchemist” and “Gundam Thunderbolt: Bandit Flower” films; the NYC Ramen Summit showcasing globally-renowned ramen chefs; and the Anime Diva Night concert starring exciting performers straight from Tokyo.
“Infini-T Force,” created in celebration of Tatsunoko Production’s 55th anniversary, pulls together four of the studio’s most iconic characters, creating a team-up of legendary Japanese heroes Gatchaman, Tekkaman, Hurricane Polimar, and Casshan. Tatsunoko Production is one of Japan’s oldest animation studios and pioneered the industry with memorable hits like “Speed Racer” and “Gatchaman,” and their new “Infini-T Force” presents a look into anime’s technological future with its use of 3D CGI.
As part of VIZ Media’s “Infini-T Force” panel, Haruna will be joined onstage by noted classic anime expert Mike Toole, where they will discuss both Tatsunoko and “Infini-T Force’”s unique places in anime history. Anime NYC’s “Infini-T Force” schedule is as follows:
- “Infini-T Force” Special Screening – Fri, Nov 17 – 7 PM – Panel Room 1
- Inside the Action of “Infini-T Force” with Kaz Haruna – Sat, Nov 18 – 2 PM – Panel Room 1
- “Infini-T Force” Signing with Kaz Haruna – Sat, Nov 18 – 4:30 PM – Autograph Room
“We’re honored to work with VIZ Media to present Kaz Haruna, Mike Toole, and ‘Infini-T Force’ at Anime NYC,” said Peter Tatara, Anime NYC’s Show Director. “Truly a special event, ‘Infini-T Force’ celebrates the past half-century of Japanese animation, and we’re excited to bring this tribute to New York City!”
“VIZ Media is thrilled to bring the excitement and action of ‘Infini-T Force’ to Anime NYC’s inaugural event,” said Charlene Ingram, VIZ Media’s Director of Animation Marketing. “We’re looking forward to meeting all the fans in the Big Apple for a special inside look of Tatsunoko’s anniversary project and the classic heroes featured.”
VIZ Media’s “Infini-T Force” events are exclusively open to Anime NYC attendees, with tickets to the convention available now at www.animenyc.com. Anime NYC passes range from $35-60.
In addition to Kaz Haruna, Anime NYC’s guests include Fumihiko Sori, Masaki Tachibana, Naruyoshi Kikuchi, Yoko Ishida, Chihiro Yonekura, TRUE, Cherami Leigh, Cristina Vee, Danny Choo, LeSean Thomas, and Stephanie Sheh, and its partners and sponsors include VIZ Media, Crunchyroll, Funimation, Kinokuniya, Kodansha, Sentai Filmworks, SUNRISE, Tokyo Otaku Mode, Vertical Inc, and Yen Press.
Fans wanting to learn the latest news can follow Anime NYC on Facebook and Twitter or visit www.animenyc.com, which will be updated with more announcements and special guests leading into the show. Press interested in requesting interviews with Kaz Haruna can contact Joanna Heaney at joanna@lindarothpr.com.
About Kaz Haruna
Kaz Haruna is Tatsunoko Production’s producer for this fall’s CGI animated “Infini-T Force”, which brings together some of the studio’s most memorable heroes into one, hyper-charged series. Having grown up in the United States and working in the Japanese anime industry for a number of years, Haruna looks forward to participating in Anime NYC to directly communicate with fans. Tatsunoko Production is one of Japan’s oldest animation studios and has pioneered the industry with such memorable hits like “Speed Racer” and “Gatchaman” (Battle of the Planets).
About Mike Toole
Mike Toole has been writing professionally about anime and manga for over 20 years, for publications like Otaku USA and Sci-Fi Magazine. Currently, he’s the editor at large at Anime News Network, the internet’s biggest English-language source for news, reviews, and information about Japanese animation and manga. He’s also a freelance DVD producer, having supervised a number of projects for Discotek Media. Mike’s also appeared as an onscreen host for both Anime News Network and Crunchyroll, and he’ll make his debut as a voice actor playing the narrator in Discotek’s DVD and Blu-Ray release of “Bananya,” currently slated for release in early 2018.
About VIZ Media
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan’s largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide. Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at VIZ.com.
About Anime NYC
Anime NYC is New York City’s anime convention! A showcase of the best of Japanese pop culture in the biggest city in America, Anime NYC brings anime fans and publishers together for three days of unique exhibits, exclusive screenings, extensive panels, and appearances by some of the biggest creators in Japan. Join us for a celebration of Japanese animation, manga, cosplay, movies, food, fashion, travel, technology, toys, and games in the heart of NYC! For more, visit animenyc.com.
About LeftField Media
LeftField Media, LLC is an events company focused on developing face-to-face events in a range of communities rooted in contemporary culture and shared passion. LeftField was formed in 2014 by Greg Topalian (President, LeftField Media) and is now owned by Topalian and Clarion Events Ltd. With a keen sense of the ever-evolving needs of businesses and their consumers as well as new opportunities created by change, LeftField takes a clean slate approach to business. LeftField’s portfolio includes Play Fair (playfairny.com), a family-focused celebration of toys and play built with the Toy Association; Awesome Con (awesomecon.com), Washington DC’s Comic Con; Rose City Comic Con (rosecitycomiccon.com), Portland, Oregon’s Comic Con; Anime NYC (animenyc.com), a Japanese pop culture festival presented by Crunchyroll; and the Classic Auto Show (theclassicautoshow.com), a classic and vintage auto show launched in Los Angeles. LeftField Media is headquartered in historic Trumbull, CT. (leftfieldmedia.com)
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