AnimeIowa 2010 Guests

Christopher Ayres has been working professionally in theatre, television and film since the age of 6. His work has been seen Regionally, Nationally and on Broadway. He currently works as a voice actor for ADV FILMS and FUNimation ENTERTAINMENT Chris is also an A.D.R. Director for ADV FILMS and AMUSEMENT PARK MEDIA. His first project at studio was the hit anime musical comedy THE NERIMA DAIKON BROTHERS. In addition to that he is also the director for XENOSAGA: The Animation, and MAGIKANO. Most recently he served as director at Amusement Park Media for MERMAID MELODY PITCHI PITCHI PITCH, and as co-director with Matt Greefield on THE WALLFLOWER. Some of the roles as a voice actor Chris is best known for are Kei Kourono in Gantz, Suitengu in Speed Grapher, Von Kampher in Trinity Blood, Hayashimizu in Full Metal Panic? Fummofu, Nakamaru in Maburaho, Yaminami in Peacemaker, DJ Plugman in Air Gear, Johnny in One Piece, Sid in Devil May Cry, Yusuf Ali Mesa in Yugo the Negotiator, Koji in Godanner, Murato in Hakugei - Legend of the Moby Dick, Sawadust in A Tree of Palme, , Kenji Kurata in Diamond Daydreams, Oshodani in Pappuwa, Jimpachi Arishiama in Nanka 6/17, and Woogy in Michel. His voice can also be heard in Elfin Lied, Claymore, Tokyo Majin, Oran High School Host Club, Cannon, Gravion Zwie, Utwararerumono, Coyote Ragtime Show and Desert Punk to name a few. Chris can also be heard a Wagram in the new Square Enix Game THE LAST REMNANT. Most recently Chris has been heard as the Covenant Commander and various other roles in HALO: LEGENDS. Chris is also one of the Anime industry voice actors who sings on Voices for Peace. He is very proud to be a part of the "Voices For..." oganization. Chris also works as a professional fight director and has enjoyed bringing his workshop “Mock Combat for Cosplay” to many conventions. You can learn more about Chris by visiting his website www.christopherayres-va.com.

Greg Ayres has spent the better part of two years rockin' his way through some really fun anime series. As the loud-mouthed Hideki in Nerima Daikon Brothers, and Koyuki, singing with the the band in Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad. He is also thrilled to be able to add the role of Kaoru Hitachiin in Ouran High School Host club, and Abe In Big Windup to his list of new favorite roles. Other recent works include Sunohara in Clannad, JR. in Xenosaga, Roan in Ragnorok The Animation, Yamazaki in Welcome to the NHK , Nowy, in Glass Fleet, and Yukinojoh Tohyama in The Wallflower.

The once "Fanboy" turned VA started working in anime a little over eight years ago, and within the first two years managed to snag two of his favorite roles in anime. He was thrilled to voice the role of his favorite character Son Goku in Saiyuki. Just one year later voiced Kaworu Nagisa in the Director's Cut of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Other roles include Chrono in Chrono Crusade, Negi Springfield in Negima, Heihachi in Samurai 7, Jr. in Xenosaga:The Animation, Satoshi Hiwatari in DNAngel, Pope Alessandro XVIII in Trinity Blood, Tsuyoshi in Kodocha, Leo in Ghost Stories , Tsujido in Speed Grapher, and Gau Ban in Shadow Skill. He can also be heard in other anime titles such as Super Gals, Spiral, Macross, Mythical Detective Loki, Burst Angel, Gravion, Godanner, Pretear, Full Metal Panic, E's Otherwise and a whole lot more.

When he's not in a booth with headphones on, you can usually find him sporting headphones of another variety behind "the decks". A veteran nightclub DJ of many years, Greg has really enjoyed the opportunity of doing something else that he truly loves at conventions. From packed rooms at anime conventions, to the legendary stage of *The Knitting Factory (NYC)*, Greg never misses an opportunity to share his love of music with anyone who will listen.

Kyle Hebert is a Los Angeles-based anime and video game voice actor whose credits include Super Street Fighter IV (Ryu), Naruto (Kiba), Bleach (Aizen, Ganju), and Gurren Lagann (Kamina). He is best known as the Narrator and Teen Gohan from Dragonball Z. Other notable roles include James Cameron's Avatar (Rai 'Uk), Soul Eater (Masamune), Ouran High School Host Club (Kazukiyo Soga), Fullmetal Alchemist (Vato Falman), and Tales of Symphonia (Richter Abend). Kyle also provides voices in numerous video games including Final Fantasy XIII, World of Warcraft, Devil May Cry 4, Dynasty Warriors, and Star Ocean. He cohosts a podcast dedicated to news on all things geeky called The Big Bald Broadcast. He also does private voice acting critiques online. Download episodes and keep posted on his latest projects at www.kylehebert.com.

Cassandra Hodges got her start in modeling when she was 16, long before discovering voice acting. She went to Full Sail Film School in Orlando as a film and sound tech, and has worked on commercials, runways, and even the Macy’s Day Parade around Florida. She appeared in Adventures in Anime with Jeff Nimoy and Quinton Flynn as her hilarious self and has appeared and done voice work for independent films. She has played many smaller roles in anime such as Glass Fleet as Camembert, Hell Girl as Gotanda and Yuku, Mushi-shi, School Rumble, Solty Rei, and Stigma as Furnando. In between her modeling and voice talent, she somehow has time to be a pet nurse and play lots of D&D.

Helen McCarthy is best known as a writer and speaker on Japanese animation and comics, working with organizations all over the world, from the Workers’ Educational Association in London to the Smithsonian Institution in the USA, from the British Museum to Akita International University in Japan.

She has written nine books and many articles, and has received awards for promoting Japanese popular culture in the U.K. from the Japan Foundation in 1997, the International Manga and Anime Foundation in 2006, and the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation/Authors Foundation in 2008. She is a member of the Society of Authors and the Asian Global Cultural Forum, and has curated and presented several exhibitions and film seasons.

Helen also designs, makes and talks about embroidery and costume. Her embroidery design manual, Manga Cross-Stitch, has been hailed as an easy-to-follow, effective way to learn basic stitching and design skills as well as the graphic conventions of anime and manga.

Helen has worked as a manager in public service, law and banking, a magazine editor and writer, a theatrical costumier, a trainer and an event organizer. She uses those accumulated skills to design and deliver unique interactive workshops for enjoyable learning. She also gives talks and presentations, and teaches evening classes and short courses.

Evan Miller is a writer, translator, and editor who got his start in the industry right here at AnimeIowa (so you can imagine how thrilled he is to be back!). After getting his start as a freelance translator, Evan found himself at Anime News Network, where he covered conventions, penned numerous articles about anime and Japanese culture, and interviewed numerous industry stars, including Shokotan, Detective Conan director Kenji Kodama, Hideyuki Kikuchi, and many more. An avid supporter of North American manga artists, he launched the weekly artist showcase The Gallery in 2008 (also on ANN), and is currently working on a self-published anthology of manga by North American creators. This year, Evan accepted a new role at manga publisher Digital Manga, where he helps run their travel division Pop Japan Travel and produce video segments for PJT's online broadcasts. He's also assisting with project management for future manga releases. Whenever he's not working, Evan likes to cycle, act silly, and tell people in California how awesome anime cons in the midwest are!

Maxey Whitehead was first cast by FUNimation Entertainment in 2008 to give life to the character of Antonio in Romeo X Juliet. Since then, Maxey has been fortunate to work on some amazing shows, such as Baccano! (Czeslaw Mayer), Soul Eater (Crona), and El Cazador de la Bruja (Ellis). In addition, Maxey is extremely honored to be the new voice of Alphonse Elric in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

Outside of doing voice over, Maxey is also an accomplished stage actor and has appeared at theatres all over Dallas as well as spending 2 years at the Barter Theatre in Virginia.

O-n-Y Studio is the creative force behind the web comic Otaku –no- Yen, (Geeks Without Money). They are involved in creating Manga-style comics and artwork as a husband/wife team.

Richard Townsend – Writer, Story Creator

After a stint writing for the RPG TFOS: The Landing, Richard decided to try his hand at working alongside his wife Shannon. Richard’s main focus is now the web comic Otaku –no- Yen )Geeks Without Money). He also occasionally speaks at libraries and conventions to help educate parents and kids alike in anime and manga and runs numerous panels at conventions each year, including his popular “Help! My Girlfriend’s OBSESSED with Yaoi!” panel. Richard is also an avid gamer and plays a mean round of Rock Band.

Shannon Townsend – Artist, Character Designer, Illistrator

Shannon has been drawing almost her entire life, but a chance channel surfing incident when she was 16 turned her on to anime and she has never been the same since. Aside from numerous freelance projects, Shannon is the artist and colorist for the web comic Otaku –no- Yen. Self taught in the manga art style, Shannon has worked on numerous projects including the manga Otaku Antics, Fire and Snow and Otaku –no- Yen. Shannon is also a professional speaker and lectures at various libraries, colleges and conventions each year.