2024 Newsletter – Issue 4

My name is Chris Needham and I’m the Director of Cultural and Educational Programming at Anime USA. I also serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of our non-profit parent organization. I’ve been involved with the con since 2004.

Our Cultural and Educational Programming is part of what makes Anime USA a really special convention. We bring together everything from demonstrations of traditional Japanese cultural practices to free crafts for crafters of all ages to a wide range of cultural and educational panels. These panels tend to go deeper than panels in our fan track often exploring cultural aspects of a particular anime, historical or contemporary issues in Japanese culture, or taking a serious look at issues in fandom. Our presenters range from professionals to grad students to cultural practitioners to long time fans. What everyone shares is a love of learning, digging deeper and teaching others.

Anime USA is thrilled to welcome the incredibly talented Daman Mills! With an expansive career in voice acting, Daman has portrayed characters from a wide variety of genres, showcasing his versatility and skill. Fans will recognize him from numerous beloved series, where he has taken on roles both heroic and villainous with equal finesse.

Among his standout performances, Daman has portrayed Frieza in Dragon Ball Super, bringing a new level of menace to one of anime’s most iconic villains. He has also charmed audiences as Jyugo in Nanbaka, Flect Turn in My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission, and Shigaraki in My Hero Academia in select arcs. His portrayal of Illumi Zoldyck in Hunter x Hunter added a chilling edge to the calculating assassin, while his work as Chazelle in Honkai Star Rail continues to resonate with players worldwide. Daman’s ability to switch between characters with such distinct personalities speaks to his range and dedication to his craft.

Whether you’re a fan of action-packed anime, psychological thrillers, or immersive video game worlds, chances are you’ve encountered one of Daman’s unforgettable performances. We’re honored to have him at Anime USA, where he’ll share his experiences, insights, and stories from behind the scenes. Be sure to catch his panels and autograph sessions to meet this talented voice actor in person!

Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe is a professional librarian and well-known presenter on anime and fan culture whose interests range from anime to horror to superheroes to American fandoms. Her most recent academic work has been on the subject of graphic novels in libraries. Sarah has been an educational guest at Anime USA for many years, and we love the interesting perspectives and new takes she brings to the con every time she presents. Her willingness to dive into a group discussion of pretty much anything nerdy has resonated with our attendees time and time again.

This year she’ll be bringing three new panels to Anime USA–one exploring the work of horror manga artist Junji Ito, another looking at the life and legacy of Yasuki, the African samurai, and a third discussing issues in modern fandom. She’ll also be bringing back a number of panels including ones on Japanese horror mythology and mythological cats!

We asked Sarah what she loves about Anime USA, and this is what she said: “Anime USA has some of the most intelligent, and engaging attendees I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Every panel I present is as much fun for me as it is for the audience! Such great conversations! That’s why Anime USA is one of my absolutely favorite shows to perform at!”

Back for their second year at Anime USA, Otaku Brain Trust is bringing over 10 hours of deep dives into fascinating topics you never knew you wanted to explore. But who exactly are Otaku Brain Trust? They’re a doujin circle—a group of passionate, amateur researchers and certified otaku. Are they educators? Are they entertainers? The answer is both!

This year, their presentations cover a wide range of topics, from how the anime industry actually works to speculations on who might be the next Miyazaki. They’ll also be shining a spotlight on some of their favorite studios, creators, and genres. With so many captivating panels to choose from, we hope you have as much trouble deciding which ones to attend as we did selecting them!

Maybe you’ve seen a tea ceremony in an anime, but have you ever attended one? Picked up a furoshiki at a con, but have you ever made one? Heard koto music, but never been to a live concert? All of this and more awaits you as part of our cultural programming. Throughout the weekend, we’re offering over a dozen demonstrations, crafts, performances, displays, and interactive activities for you to enjoy and participate in.

We’re thrilled to once again partner with the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Washington DC Association to host two traditional tea ceremonies, and we’re excited to welcome koto musician Yuriko Gandolfo, who will be giving both a talk and a concert! In our Culture Space, you’ll find free classes on making dolls and crafts (note: space may be limited), along with displays and drop-in games for when you and your friends need a break from the convention’s fast pace.

Step through our torii gate—have you done that before?—and enter our educational and cultural programming area to begin your journey!

We’re still seeking passionate and dedicated individuals to join our team this year. As a staff member, you’ll receive some great perks, including:

If you’re ready to be part of an amazing team and help make this year’s convention unforgettable, apply now!

The hotel room block is now open, offering a special rate for Anime USA members. The Hyatt Regency Crystal City is located at 2799 Richmond Highway, in Arlington, Virginia.

Staying at the convention hotel means you’ll be just steps away from all the excitement, panels, and events. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to immerse yourself in the full convention experience while enjoying the perks of a special rate. Book your room now and get ready for an unforgettable Anime USA 2024!