Norwalk, CT, February 21, 2007: Over 43,000 fans cast their vote for the hottest anime and manga in the first-ever American Anime Awards, and the winners will be announced this Saturday at an all-star gala taking place at Manhattan's historic New Yorker Hotel. Tickets are sold out, but now anime and manga fans can join in the proceedings thanks to a live webcast hosted by the gaming and entertainment site IGN.com. Just set your browser to http://tv.ign.com/animeawards2007/ 9pm EST Saturday, February 24th and enjoy a "live look-in" to the biggest anime event of the year!

The full broadcast of the American Anime Awards will air March 23rd on Anime Network and will provide viewers with an up close and personal access to everything from the red carpet to the winners circle! This is a star-studded production featuring dozens of the leading lights of anime and manga in America.

Hosting the awards are voice actresses Christine Auten (Azumanga Daioh), Jessica Boone (Gantz), Shelley Calene-Black (Air Gear), Luci Christian (Nerima Daikon Brothers), Alice Fulks (Gilgamesh), Hilary Haag (Chrono Crusade), Taylor Hannah (Le Chevalier D'Eon), and Serena Varghese (Paniponi Dash!). These "Babes of Anime" were featured in a glamour shoot on IGN.com and in Anime Insider magazine, and Saturday night they will be decked out in designs by Project Runway winner Chloe Dao, who will be on hand during the awards ceremony to present the award for Best Package Design.

Many more actors, directors, and celebrities will be participating in the awards ceremony and the post-awards gala that follows, including Greg Ayres (Chrono Crusade), Laura Bailey (Basilisk), Colleen Clinkenbeard (Trinity Blood), Caroline Elizabeth (Beserk), Richard Epcar (Ghost In the Shell: Stand Alone Complex), Scott Glasgow (Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles), Jonathan Klein (Hellsing), Jason Liebrecht (Basilisk), Yuri Lowenthal (Naruto), Zoe Martin (Ah! My Goddess), David Matranga (Le Chevalier D'Eon), Vic Mignogna (Fullmetal Alchemist), Chris Patton (Guyver: The Bioboosted Armor), Monica Rial (Excel Saga), Chris Sabat (Dragon Ball GT), Sean Schemmel (Pokemon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew), Eileen Stevens (Ah! My Goddess), Michael Sinterniklass (The Venture Bros.), Veronica Taylor (Pokemon), Kira Vincent-Davis (Elfen Lied), and Dan Woren (Eureka Seven).

The American Anime Awards is hosted by the New York Comic Con, and those attending the Comic Con should be sure to check out the American Anime Awards Panel 11am Saturday in Room 1E09 at the Javits Center. This is your big chance to meet the "Babes of Anime" as well as many of the nominees and presenters for the evening's ceremony. Not only that, but two lucky fans will win VIP passes to the American Anime Awards, so get there early and be sure to get a seat!

For more information about the American Anime Awards, including a list of nominees and finalists, visit www.americananimeawards.com.

For more information about the New York Comic Con, visit www.newyorkcomiccon.com.

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