Orlando, FL (April 24, 2008) – Anime Festival Orlando returns in 2008 to bring you part two of their “Swords of Orlandia” trilogy. The event in its 9th year will take place at the Wyndham Orlando Resort August 15th, 16th and 17th.

Anime Festival Orlando (AFO), Florida’s Favorite Japanese Animation Convention, is very proud to announce a stunning list of guests lined up and confirmed for the show whose talent has an extraordinary impact on the anime community.

Monica Rial voices the characters of Simca in Air Gear, Sakura in Tsubasa Chrronicle, Lumiere in Kiddy Grade. In addition to her busy voice acting career she also writes ADR script adaptations as well as a monthly article, Monica’s Reality Check, for Newtype USA magazine.

Colleen Clinkenbeard may be most famous for her role as Riza Hawkeye in Fullmetal Alchemist but is also beloved for playing opposite Monica as Éclair in Kiddy Grade. Recently, she’s captivated audiences as Sister Esther Blanchette from Trinity Blood. On top of being a dynamic voice actress, Colleen lends her talents as an ADR Writer and Director.

Christopher Patton has been a voice actor for nearly 10 years working on projects primarily from ADV and Funimation. With dozens of credits on his resume some of the highlights are Pretear, Evangelion, Kiddy Grade, Gravion and Fullmetal Alchemist. Additionally, Chris is an accomplished singer and can be heard singing as Ichiro in Nerima Daikon Brothers.

An award-winning martial artist, Jason David Frank is revered for his portrayal of Tommy Oliver the “Green Ranger” in the 1990′s fan favorite show Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers. Through his 12 year run as Tommy, he has actually played more colors than any other Ranger and has had the longest run appearing in 4 different Power Ranger series. Founder of the martial art “Toso Kune Do,” he currently runs 4 dojos under the Rising Sun Karate Academy.

Stephanie Yanez made her singing debut at Anime Expo 2005. She has been seen across the world, performing at many different Japanese Events, Anime Conventions, and Music Venues. She has opened up for overseas Japanese artists Yousei Teikoku and shared the same stage with Kotoko.
Stephanie Yanez is currently starring in Anime Pop an on-line series with CartoonMogul.com

Richard Epcar has made a successful career as an actor, writer and ADR director. Some of the anime titles he has been associated with include Ghost in the Shell, Yu-Yu Hakusho, Mobile Suit Gundam, Serial Experiment Lain, Robotech, Lupin, Rurouni Kenshin, Transformers, Witch Hunter Robin, Samurai Champloo, and Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo where he not only played Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo, but was responsible for the script adaptation as well.
Additionally he has voiced some of the most insidious villain in the Power Rangers series as well as appeared in such 80′s TV classics as Moonlighting, Highway to Heaven and Matlock.

Ellyn Stern has worked in the anime industry since 1997 beginning with her roll as Rosalind in Armitage III: Poly-Matrix. She has also worked on Vampire Princess Miyu and Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence and is Masaki Kurosaki in Bleach. And it just wouldn’t be an AFO if we didn’t have a voice from some incarnation of Lupin, Ellyn has provided additional voices for Lupin the 3rd the television series.

Doug Smith is a voice actor who has done work in the anime industry for nearly ten years. Having started his career as Kintaro Oe in Golden Boy, he has gone on to voice characters for a number of ADV titles such as Sorcerer Hunters, Dragon Knight, BubbleGum 2040, Those Who Hunt Elves, and Steam Detectives to name a few.
Doug is also an accomplished graphic artist who has done package design work for many anime releases and is currently expanding his portfolio by creating memorable images to be used in advertising campaigns.

Travis Willingham has worked in stage, TV, and film, but is best known in the anime world for his character Colonel Roy Mustang in Fullmetal Alchemist. One of his very first roles in anime, he has now gone on to work on many other popular titles in both Texas and Los Angeles.
Some of his feature film credits include Secondhand Lions, Ray, Friday Night Lights, Prison-A-Go-Go, and The Guardian. He is currently starring in a new feature film titled, The Gunslinger, which is being produced by Hidden Passion Films and Dragoncor Productions.

Not only will all guests be available for photos and autographs throughout the weekend, attendees should be on the lookout for them in featured panels and events.

This year we will also see the return of the “Passport to Orlandia” a “passport” that will allow qualifying attendees to receive special privileges such as premium seating, express access for autograph sessions, special party invitations and more making this year’s convention an experience not to be missed. Each year, AFO provides an intimate convention going experience for its attendees. This year is no exception with featured Thursday night events exclusive to those Pre-Registered Attendees checking into the Wyndham Orlando Resort on Thursday August 14, 2008 or earlier.

About Anime Festival Orlando
AFO is a three day festival of all things related to Japanese animation and pop culture held at the Wyndham Orlando Resort August 15, 16 and 17, 2008. Ticket prices are only $45.00 for an adult 3-day membership badge, $20.00 for a Friday or Sunday Only wristband and $25.00 for a Saturday Only wristband.
Growing in attendance nearly 20% each year since its inception in 2000, Anime Festival Orlando has earned the title of “Florida’s Favorite Anime Convention” as well as being voted one of the “Top 10 Things To Do In Orlando” by DK Publishing’s Travel Guide.
This year, Anime Festival Orlando’s theme is Role Playing Games. The staff has crafted an original story/game called “Swords of Orlandia” and will feature an interactive RPG story for our attendees to voluntarily participate in.
For more information about Anime Festival Orlando, please visit http://www.animefestivalorlando.com/