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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to star in your own anime? Maybe you would like to improve the bad reputation of anime dubs? Fans will have the chance to step into the booth and put their acting skills to the test at Anime Houston’s second annual convention next month celebrating Japanese animation and its growing popularity in the Lone Star State.
This year’s three-day convention, which kicks off on August 12, will allow attendees to experience what it’s like to record in a real anime dubbing studio and watch their performance on screen immediately afterwards. Kyle Jones and Jonathan Rodriguez-Franco are the alternate (or dubbing) guest directors of the animated dialogues and a sound engineer from Sentai Filmworks, a Houston-based entertainment company that specializes in dubbing anime.
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It’s just one of many attractions planned for the fast-growing anime convention (and sister to Anime Dallas), which would expand from its previous venue and be held in the much larger downtown Hyatt Regency. The convention was founded by Houston-born comedian John Swasey, who has done voice-over work for hit animated series such as “My Hero Academia,” Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood” and “Soul Eater,” among others. . anime convention in Dallas in 2018 before spreading to Bayou City in 2021, where it joined the ranks of the city’s other popular anime conventions Anime Matsuri and Comicpalooza.
This year’s event will feature various panels and feature over 20 guest comedians. Among the planned events is an “Avatar: The Last Airbender” panel featuring Dante Basco and Michaela Jill Murphy, the voice actors who played the characters Prince Zuko and Toph, respectively, in the well-known animated series. loved.
Other guests include famous comedian Johnny Yong Bosch, known for his roles in “Demon Slayer”, “Akira” and “Bleach”, and Cynthia Cranz, known for her roles in “Dragon Ball Z”, “Yu Yu Hakusho, ” and “One Piece”.
As for musical entertainment, the convention will include a performance by Japanese singer Kohei, as well as a three-hour electronic dance party hosted by Greg Ayres, a veteran anime voice actor who will also serve as DJ, on Friday. and Saturday.
Other performers include Cirque La Vie, a Houston-based circus troupe; aerial silks, juggling, acrobatics, LED spin and more by Norsefyre; and an 18+ performance by Texan Heat Nerdlesque, a burlesque troupe themed from the popular anime “My Hero Academia.”
The convention will also bring back its Expo Hall, which will host more than 40 exhibitors and artists. And, in true anime convention tradition, six popular cosplayers will be invited in addition to a cosplay contest held on the event’s main stage.