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Otakon Hosts Voice Actor Toru Furuya, Director Yoshiaki Kyougoku

Otakon announced on Thursday that it will host voice actor Tōru Furuya and director Yoshiaki Kyougoku at this year's convention.

Furuya's voice-acting career extends more than 50 years, and he has performed in more than 100 titles. He is known for voicing characters such as Tuxedo Mask in Sailor Moon, Amuro Ray in Mobile Suit Gundam, Yamcha in Dragon Ball, and Rei Furuya in Detective Conan. His anime roles also include Sabo in One Piece, Pegasus Seiya in Saint Seiya, Kyosuke Kasuga in Kimagure Orange Road, and Ribbons Almark in Mobile Suit Gundam 00.

Kyogoku began his career at Production I.G, serving as key animator on such anime as Moribito - Guardian of the Spirit, Sengoku Basara, and Eden of the East, among other projects. He served as episode animation director or episode director on select episodes of such anime as Kimi ni Todoke 2nd Season, Kuroko's Basketball, Blood-C, Robotics;Notes, Tokyo Ghoul, and Encouragement of Climb Second Season. He made his series directorial debut with the Laid-Back Camp anime.

Both Laid-Back Camp planner Shōichi Hotta and voice actress Sayuri Hara will attend the convention.

Otakon will be held at Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. from July 26 to 28. The event will also host rock band BRADIO as musical guests; former Studio Ghibli staff member Hirokatsu Kihara; composer Kaoru Wada; Studio Trigger staff members Hiromi Wakabayashi, Shigeto Koyama, and Hiroyuki Imaishi; hip-hop artist Shing02; singers Diana Garnet and Nano; voice actresses Kikuko Inoue and Sayuri Hara; producers Masao Maruyama, Michihiko Suwa, and Shōichi Hotta; and director Hiroshi Nagahama.

Source: Press releases