------------------------- Shoujocon 2002 July 19-21, 2002 East Brunswick, NJ http://www.shoujocon.com ------------------------- Have we been too quiet for you? Starting to wonder whether the third round could possibly top the first two?? Well, worry no more! With two and a half months to go, we're finally ready to show you *why* we've been so quiet. We've been working hard, you see, on becoming better... stronger... faster. And now it's time for the cape to come off. Dim the lights and start up the fireworks! Shoujocon 2002's ready to rumbllllllllle...!!! GUESTS! -Japanese Guest of Honor: Azusa Kurokawa! Shoujocon's Japanese guest this year is the amazing Azusa KUROKAWA, a professional mangaka who dabbles in many fields including shounen, but who is most popular in shoujo, ladies, and boys' love tales. Like many mangaka, Ms. Kurokawa got her start working on doujinshi, which she still publishes under the penname "Eriko Sato", and the circle name "Gerou no Kai". Doujinshi fans may recognize her works based on Kamen Rider Kuuga, Time Ranger and Rurouni Kenshin. She has also been a popular name in the world of published manga for many years, with 18 tankoubon (small compilation "graphic novels") listed among her accomplishments. Her short stories, series, and illustrations have been published in Charade, Comic June, and Reijin/Take Shoubou, among others. Ms. Kurokawa's art style is a marked change from "run of the mill" shoujo, thus proving that shoujo can be realistic as well as beautiful. Join us in welcoming her to the East Coast! -Fan Guests of Honor: Umbrella Studios! Doujinshi circles (groups of artists who produce self-published books) are a dime a dozen in Japan---and their collective power has revolutionized the Japanese manga industry for women. In North America, cooperation among comic artists is far more rare and difficult to achieve. Which is why, this year, our Fan Guests of Honor are the popular and successful North American doujinshi circle Umbrella Studios! They have produced over forty collaborative books, and they have even sold at Japan's Comic Market (Comiket). Welcome! -Voice Actor Guests: Jamie McGonnigal and Bill Timoney! Jamie McGonnigal is better known as the voice of Takeo in "Magic User's Club" (Mahou Tsukai Tai!), and Omi in "Knight Hunters" (Weiss Kreuz)! His other prominent roles include Kosaku in "Demon Fighter Kocho", and he holds the title role in Scifi.com's "Barbarian Moron." Mr. McGonnigal is also a professional actor and director whose works include Broadway plays and musicals. Welcome! Bill Timoney (also known as Billy Regan) has done voice acting work in shoujo and female fan-favorite series such as "Record of Lodoss War" (Parn), "Trigun", "Digimon" (Lord Bakkemon), and "Cowboy Bebop", just to name a few. He's also served as a director and casting director within the anime business over the years while living and working in Los Angeles. Welcome! -Organizational Guests: Friends of Lulu! The mission of the nonprofit organization "Friends of Lulu" is to promote women's roles in the American comic industry, and more female readership of comics. Its members---male and female, young and old---work to break the stereotypes and barriers which prevent female artists in the US from achieving the success of their Japanese counterparts. Welcome! Want to know more? http://www.shoujocon.com/guests.html EVENTS! All of the old favorites from the last two Shoujocons are back: the Art Show/Alley, the Whack-A-Thon, Workshops, and of course the Dealer's Room, multiple 24-hour Video Rooms, and Panels. This year, however, we've got some new tricks up our sleeves---like "Bobbing for Bishounen", "Shoujocon Parliament" and discussion groups--when the audience become the experts! Want to know more? http://www.shoujocon.com/events.html REGISTRATION! You've already missed your chance to get into Shoujocon for up to $20 less than the at-the-door price. Sorry. =( You can still get in for $5 less, however (and have that much more money to spend on the doujinshi you absolutely have to have)! Hurry and register now! http://www.shoujocon.com/registration.html This is a new year for Shoujocon---with new leadership, new ideas, and new energy---but she's still the same con you've known and loved. Join us, once again, for the BIGGEST SHOUJO PARTY ON THE PLANET!!