Anime Expo® 2008 Announces the 2008 SPJA Award Winners

Los Angeles, California (July 4, 2008)


At approximately 7:45 pm on July 3, 2008 Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation Chief Executive Officer Ms. Trulee Karahashi announced the winners of the fan voted SPJA Awards for 2008 at the Wachovia VIP Lounge at the Nokia Theatre Live L.A. Anime Expo® 2008 will be held from July 3-6, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. More information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org.

Winners of the 2008 Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation Awards are:

Best Voice Actor (Japanese)
Tomokazu Sugita – The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya – Kyon

Best Voice Actor (English)
Alessandro Juliani – DEATHNOTE – L

Best Voice Actress (Japanese)
Aya Hirano – The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya – Haruhi Suzumiya

Best Voice Actress (English)
Laura Bailey – Shin-chan – Shin-chan

Best Casting Director
Kaeko Sakamoto – The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

Best Character Design
Shoko Ikeda – The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

Best Mechanical Design
Eureka 7 – (Staff includes Shoji Kawamori)

Best Male Character
Ichigo Kurosaki – Bleach

Best Female Character
Haruhi Suzumiya – The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

Best Mascot Character
Mokona – Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles

Best Background Design
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 – Sunrise

Best Original Video
Hellsing Ultimate – Geneon Entertainment

Best Feature Film
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time – Bandai Entertainment

Best Television Series
DEATHNOTE – Viz Media

Best Original Score
Naruto – Toshio Masuda & Musashi Project – Aniplex

Best Original Song
“Hare Hare Yukai” (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya) – Aya Hirano, Minori Chihara, and Yuko Goto – Lantis

Best Director
Mary Elizabeth McGlynn – Naruto

Best Manga - Action
Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles – CLAMP – Del Rey Manga

Best Manga - Comedy
Negima! – Ken Akamatsu – Del Rey Manga

Best Manga - Drama
Eureka Seven – Jinsei Kataoka / Kazuma Kondou – Bandai Entertainment

Best Publication
Newtype – Kadokawa Shoten

AXBackstage offers visitors an insider’s look at the hottest anime/manga titles, exclusive interviews with Guests attending this year’s hottest convention, video coverage of convention activities, attendee and convention photos/images, news and related peripherals. In addition, visitors can download up to date information and change/corrections in scheduled events, activities and much more. AXBackstage has launched on the world wide web at www.axbackstage.org.
The full list of official Anime Expo® 2008 Guests of Honor include up and coming director Masahiro Ando, legendary American voice actor David Hayter, famed POKEMON director Masamitsu Hidaka, the dynamic duo known as Jyukai, renowned animator Hiromi Kato, celebrated veteran voice actor Toshihiko Seki, the new Japanese “It-Girl” Shokotan and the legendary character designer Takada Akemi.
Attendees that have pre-registered can also update their information and add on orders for main event tickets via the Anime Expo® 2008 Online Registration Area at [url=http://www.anime-expo.org.