Press Release from The New York Anime Festival
Norwalk, CT, April 15, 2009: The New York Anime Festival (NYAF) today announced its 2009 mascot contest has gone live on partner website theOtaku.com. The 2009 New York Anime Festival, an anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture convention from the creators of New York Comic Con, will take place September 25-27, 2009 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in Manhattan, and it is now accepting original character designs from fans and attendees, with the winning art to be featured as NYAF 2009's official mascot throughout the show. Contest prizes include tickets to the New York Anime Festival and 50 manga from sponsor Del Rey Manga.
Between now and April 29th, theOtaku.com, Del Rey Manga, and the New York Anime Festival welcome artists and anime fans from around America to think about what "Anime" and "New York City" mean to them and draw these thoughts into an original character. Once all the entries have been received, theOtaku.com, Del Rey Manga, and the New York Anime Festival will select ten finalists to be put on display at the New York Anime Festival booth at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Sakura Matsuri (May 2nd and 3rd). Sakura Matsuri attendees will then vote for their favorite, with the character receiving the most votes crowned the New York Anime Festival's 2009 mascot.
The 2009 New York Anime Festival mascot will grace the convention's program guide and appear on signs throughout the event. Additionally the winner will be profiled in the New York Anime Festival's program guide beside their mascot, receive a copy of all of the New York Anime Festival's 2009 merchandise, and take home 10 weekend passes. Further, sponsor Del Rey Manga will be providing the winner an instant collection -- 50 volumes of manga.
The contest's nine finalists will each receive one weekend pass to the New York Anime Festival and series starter packs from Del Rey containing the first volumes of SAYONARA, ZETSUBOU-SENSEI, ORANGE PLANET and YOKAI DOCTOR.
To enter the contest and for official rules, please visit theOtaku.com.
"The anime world is a thriving, talented community," New York Anime Festival Show Manager Lance Fensterman said. "We relish every opportunity to involve this community and make them a part of the show. The fans who come to NYAF aren't just passive attendees. Instead, through participation in contests, special events, and our online networks, they become active contributors making NYAF happen."
"One of theOtaku.com's primary missions is to empower its community of otaku artists and give them new opportunities to grow and gain recognition" said Adam Ghahramani, publisher of theOtaku.com. "We are thrilled to be working with NYAF and Del Rey, two industry giants, to create a contest that will push our artists' creativity to the limit, as well as bestow upon one talented member an amazing portfolio piece... and a truckload of manga."
Tickets to NYAF are available now, and the con will be announcing guests, VIP packages, additional contests, and programming throughout the spring and summer. For more information about the 2009 New York Anime Festival, please visit the show's official website (www.newyorkanimfestival.com) and blog (www.mediumatlarge.net).
