Anime Boston 2017 won’t stop growing: former Ghibli employee Hirokatsu Kihara and BONES INC. founder Masahiko Minami are joining the enormous roster of guests. The two will appear at the convention between March 31st and April 2nd in Boston, Massachusetts.
About Hirokatsu Kihara:
Formerly involved with the production desk at Studio Ghibli, Hirokatsu Kihara worked closely with director Hayao Miyazaki on such hit titles as Laputa: Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, and Kiki’s Delivery Service.
Hirokatsu Kihara is probably best known for his work in the Horror genre. There, he has been a crucial contributor, working on such titles as Tales of Terror: Haunted Apartment and Tales of Terror from Tokyo and All Over Japan, which are known in Japan as Shin Mimibukuro. In addition, he has written books such as Tsukumo Kwaidan, Utsushiyo-kaidan, and Kinkiro. Nowadays, he continues to write ghost stories, MCs at monster conventions, and shares his knowledge and experiences at events worldwide.
“We are so honored to have Hirokatsu Kihara at Anime Boston. Kihara-san is a pioneer in the horror genre, as well as having worked on Studio Ghibli classics such as My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki’s Delivery Service, under Miyazaki himself,” said Victor Lee, Convention Chair.
About Masahiko Minami:
Masahiko Minami was born on August 24, 1961 and is from the Mie Prefecture in Japan. After graduating from the Theater Arts Department of Osaka University of the Arts, he joined the anime production company Nihon Sunrise (now SUNRISE INC.) and produced several shows such as: Whirl Wind! Iron Leaguer, Mobile Fighter G Gundam, Escaflowne, and Cowboy Bebop.
In 1998, he decided to leave SUNRISE to start BONES INC., with animators Hiroshi Osaka and Toshihiro Kawamoto, where he now doubles as both the President and a Producer. Under BONES, he has produced Cowboy Bebop: Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door, Fullmetal Alchemist, Eureka Seven, My Hero Academia, Space Dandy, Mob Psycho 100, and many more!
“We are deeply honored to present Masahiko Minami at Anime Boston. Minami-san has produced some of my personal favorites, such as Cowboy Bebop, RahXephon, and Full Metal Alchemist. As a founder and current president of BONES INC., Minami-san is one of the true giants of anime,” said Victor Lee, Convention Chairman.
The two join fellow Japanese guests Puffy AmiYumi, Naokatsu Tsuda, the OKAMOTO’S, Toru Furuya, and Shingo Natsume. North American guests include Lex Lang, Michelle Ruff, Johnny Yong Bosch, Brina Palencia, Kyle Colby Jones, Patrick Seitz, Sandy Fox, Bryson Baugus, Greg Ayres, Lisa Ortiz, Robbie Daymond, and recently revealed Cherami Leigh and Christopher R. Sabat.
SOURCE: Press Release
