GREG AYRES

Greg Ayres has spent the last year rockin' his way through two new anime series. As the loud-mouthed Hideki in *Nerima Daikon Brothers*, and Koyuki, singing in the the band in *Beck:Mongolian Chop Squad*. He is also thrill to be able to add the role of Kaoru Hitachiin in Ouran High School Host club to his list of new favorite roles. Other recent works include 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 five 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. 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.

STEVE BENNETT

Stephen Robert Bennett IV was born *&#@?! years ago at Tachikawa Air Force Base in Tokyo Japan.  Being an Army brat, Steve moved all over the place in his younger days with his parents and four brothers, He spent his early years in Alaska and Colorado, and lived for almost eight years in Germany during elementary and junior high.  The family moved back to Japan when Steve was in his teens, and while he was there he was lucky enough to land a job with Studio Aoehyma, and work under the great Japanese animator, Noboru Furusei (New Dominion Tank Police, Lupin III, etc.)  During his time at Studio Aoehyma, Steve learned quite a bit about anime, and worked on such titles as Cat's Eye, the Urusei Yatsura TV Series and Only You, as well as many others for televison and Movies. But finally, the family moved back to the States and settled in Virginia.  Steve finished up high school, took some college courses, and ended up working at a bunch of different jobs.  He worked at King's Dominion amusement park (where he met his future wife Nikki), and he also worked in a Japanese restaurant, a video store, and ended up working in construction.

Steve's Interest in Military history lead him to take part in such movies as "Gettysburg" and various History Channel shows. Just look for him in the feathered gray slouch hat next to the soldiers in grey kepis! About the time Steve and Nikki tied the knot (1994), Steve attended his first anime convention as a guest --Katsucon 1-- and finally remembered his true calling.  He started up Studio Ironcat, a Japanese manga publisher, in 1997 and quit his construction job.  Ironcat ran until 2004.  Although Steve enjoyed his time with Ironcat, the job kept him too busy to focus on his own art.  With the close of Ironcat, Steve was finally free to create his own comics, and get back into the artistic side of the industry.  Today, Steve is busier than ever at conventions, has two new webcomics on-line at http://www.stevebennettart.com/  ("Shakespeare Rodeo" and "Life With Steve") and is finally letting his creative juices flow!

(And Koala's are running rampant at Koala Klub too!)
Steve has been to numerous anime conventions over the years (too many to mention here!) and has also lent his talents to other venues, such as the American Movie Association, Loyola University in Louisiana, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Iowa Gallery of Art.Steve also won the 1996 Osamu Tezuka Award for outstanding American Anime/Manga artist, and has taught animation/cel painting instructional classes at Comic Anime and Anime Pavillion. Steve's many appearances and personal approach to teaching and talking with anime fans about anime/manga over the years and his involvement with charities American Cancer Society, The Lupus Foundation, and Make A Wish Foundation have earned him the sobriquets of "Anime's Goodwill Ambassador".

Steve's friendly nature will entertain and inform all folks big and small so wherever he appears next, just pull up a chair, sit back, shoot the breeze with him and enjoy the ride!

LUCI CHRISTIAN

Luci’s happy to be back at Metrocon!  Her voice acting credits for ADV Films include Kaname Chidori in Full Metal Panic! and Full Metal Panic FUMOFFU!, Sasshi in Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi, Ran Kotobuki in Super Gals!, Yukari in Azumanga Daioh, Duck/Princess Tutu in Princess Tutu, Mikura in Mezzo for TV, Margaret in Madlax, Tetsu in Peacemaker, Risa in DNAngel, Himeno in Pretear, Sarah/Kate in Kaleido Star, Degiko in Panyo Panyo DigiCharat, Mugimaru in Nurse Witch Komugi, and Luna in Gravion and Gravion Zwei.  For Funimation Entertainment, she’s played Psiren and Wrath in Fullmetal Alchemist, Rico in Gunslinger Girl, Komachi in Samurai 7, Louis Ft. Drake in Galaxy Railways, Kosuna in Desert Punk, and Asuna in Negima.  Luci lives in Houston with her trusty dog, Pacino.

LAUREN GOODNIGHT

Lauren Goodnight is an anime voice actress for ADV Films, as well as a radio host and singer, currently based out of South Carolina. In addition to performing various roles in popular anime series, most notably as Natsue Awayuki in Pretear, the Narrator in Angelic Layer, and Sarashina in Aquarian Age: Sign for Evolution, she hosts the radio show Goodnight Sex/8bitSex on the Deviant Radio Network and the 8bitx.com Radio Network.  This is her return to the anime convention scene after a three-year leave. She has worked with Antarctic Press and Fred Perry on the animation of Gold Digger (comic), in the role of Brittany Diggers. From 2004-2006, Goodnight was a music reviewer for AnimeOnDVD.  She is an avid book collector and doll/toy restorer and customizer, and a devotee of designer fashion and Japanese culture.

DAVID WILLIAMS

David Williams is an ADR Director and DVD Producer for Houston-based ADV Films. A long-time fan who has been with the company since his living room was used as the production facility for its first show (Devil Hunter Yohko), he has directed a variety of projects including Angelic Layer, Pretear, Najica, the original Nuku Nuku OVAs, Dirty Pair and Aquarian Age.

CYNTHIA MARTINEZ

Cynthia was first introduced to anime when ADV cast her in her first acting/voice acting role ever as the dragon slayer sorceress Lina Inverse in Slayers. Since then she has voiced a variety of roles such as Sora in Kaleido Star, Hermes in Kino's Journey, Poemy in Puni Puni Poemy, Hiroko in RahXephon, Mikako in Voices of a Distant Star, Yuna in Galaxy Fraulein Yuna, Hikaru in Princess Nine, Hikaru Amano in Nadesico, Harue in Super Gals, Mint in BASTof Syndrome, Meek in Panyo Panyo Di Gi Charat, Pike in Princess Tutu, and Kaho in Sister Princess. Other titles include Gravion, Aura Battler Dunbine, All-Purpose Cultural Cat-Girl Nuku Nuku, Azumanga Daioh, Excel Saga, Najica Blitz Tactics, Neo Ranga, Noir, Nurse Witch Komugi, and Those Who Hunt Elves.

KYLE JONES

Kyle is an ADR Director/Producer/Writer at ADV Films and The Anime Network in Houston, Texas. Some of his titles include Madlax, Kino’s Journey, Saint Seiya, Diamond Daydreams, Kaleidostar (pilot episode), Samurai Gun and Nadesico: Prince of Darkness. Kyle also has his name on several live-action features as well; including Dark Water, Guns & Talks, Conduct Zero, the Shinobi series, and of course, Gamera - Attack of Legion and Gamera - Revenge of Iris. Kyle is also very fond of lending his efforts to the “Special Features” section of the DVD format. He is responsible for the “Conversations with SSS” extra on Madlax as well as the sock-puppet-theatre easter egg. He also included a “Literal Translation Dub” throughout the Shinobi series. Also, Kyle interviewed Gamera himself for a commentary on Gamera - Revenge of Iris. And, there is always the infamous “Lake Texarkana Gamera” found on Gamera - Attack of Legion.

Kyle was born in Dallas and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. Before making the switch to anime, he worked as an advertising copywriter for 10 years in both New York and Texas.

DOUG SMITH

Doug Smith is an accomplished freelance artist and voice actor who has performed many roles for ADV and Funimation, including the lead, Kintaro Oe, in "Goldenboy". One of his lesser known but more powerful roles that of Squeebo, the poor blind orphan in the OVA series "Splendid Eyeball Gremulak", which, unfortunately for fans everywhere, doesn't actually exist.

Doug is a man of adventure, traveling the country and globe, working to hone his artistic skills and always in search of the elusive American Dream.  There’s no place he won’t go, the jungle, desert, the highest mountain peaks, the depths of the ocean and the silent void of outer space to reach that elusive dream. His artwork has been used for CD album covers,  magazines, comics, posters, anime con program guides and badges, exorcisms, DVDs and TV. Doug is also the Art Director for non-profit Voices For, an organization which works with talented people in the anime/manga industry to create products, the profits of which are donated to charity.

Be sure to stop by Doug's table, view his art and say hi and buy some art lest the CURSE OF THE PHAROA--- wait,… sorry. There's no curse. But please buy some art anyway. It will make you happy.

JOHN SWASEY

A native of Houston, TX John has been cutting his acting chops since the late 80’s.  He started out as an improv actor working at the famous (or infamous) Comedy Workshop in Houston.  This is where he started honing his vocal skills with different voices and character types.  From there he went on to work for several theater companies and formed a couple of improv groups.  It was during this time that he ran into a friend who suggested he try his hand at voice acting some anime. In 1997, he landed his first role with a company called AD Vision. 

Since then, John has gone on to voice numerous shows and characters.  Not really the leading man type has actually given John the freedom to voice everything from Vulcan in Orphen to Ken in Kaleido Star.  Other favorite roles include Ban Bunnings in Aura Battler Dunbine as well as lead roles in the live action films 2009 Lost Memories, Conduct Zero, Yesterday, and the soon to be released Jungle Juice.  In 2004, John jumped to the other side of the “mic” to direct.  His first effort was Wandaba Style.  This followed with St. Seiya and Shinobi (live action).  Both at home in front of and behind the mic, John loves working in the world of anime and with ADV Films! 

In addition to anime, John has voiced thousands of radio and tv commercials, not to mention some film work such as RAY and DAZED AND CONSUED.  There are too many folks to thank for all the success John has realized, so he will just thank two: mom and dad!

ROBERT & EMILY DEJESUS

Robert DeJesus - Writer, Story Creator, Illustrator, Story Board Artist, and Character Designer.

EYESHINE

Formed in 2004 by front man Johnny Yong Bosch and Maurice Salmin, Eyeshine first found success in 2006 with a unique blend of pop punk and post grunge called Edge Rock. The band gained a modest audience with its debut EP, "How About That" and their first full length album, "Red Stripes White Lights" but it was their sophomore effort, "My Paper Kingdom" that officially opened the flood gates in 2009. MPK featured their award winning song, "ALONE," whose honest and simple lyrics made a connection to a steadily growing fan base. The band has continued to self produced 6 more albums: "Tone Of Echoes" (features the Elfenworks Foundation sponsored song "Hope Is So Far Away"), "Afterglow" (acoustic album), "Sonosis" (instrumental album), "Sansvox" (karaoke album), "XMAS" (Christmas album), and their latest album "Revolution Airwaves." 

Eyeshine won the worldwide Ford sponsored competition "Gimme The Gig II" in May 2012. They recorded a single and filmed a music video with the Legendary Don Was (President of Blue Note Records and 7 time Grammy Award winning Producer - Rolling Stones, Elton John, John Mayer, etc) and Krish Sharma (Producer/Engineer - The Rolling Stones, Counting Crows, Hilary Duff, Jesse McCartney, etc) out of the "Ford Focus Studio." Which is a Mobile Studio that was built into a Ford Focus by "Mad" Mike Martin (Pimp My Ride). KTLA (West Coast News Stations affiliated with The CW TV Network), filmed and aired the one-hour special on west coast television.

YAYA HAN

Yaya Han is a costume designer, model and cosplay entertainer with over 10 years of experience. After discovering cosplay at her first con a decade ago, she quickly absorbed the heart and soul of costume design and creation. To this day Yaya has made a myriad of costumes in the genres of anime/manga, video games, sci-fi and of course from her own original designs.

Her intricate and lavish creations have won awards and acclaim nationwide, most recently the Yume Cosplay Cup with a dream vacation in Japan. She has taught a multitude of panels on costume craftsmanship, presentation, makeup, wigs and more; and judged countless costume contests and performed in front of many peers and fans alike on stage.

Yaya has traveled to over 50 conventions and events within the USA as well as internationally to Italy, Mexico, United Kingdom, Germany and Brazil as a Guest.

ASHLEY CLARK

ASHLEY CLARK (Anna May Belle) is a multi-media artist and writer, and has been working in the anime style for nearly a decade. Her first webcomic, 'Shades of Red', debuted in 2003. She has since turned her attention to her newest literary project, 'Tales of Asajima'. You can enter the world of Asajima through the webnovel 'Nowaki', and continue your journey with the first of her print novels, 'The Yukari'.

Ashley has won numerous awards as not only an artist, but also as an AMV creator, cosplayer, and film editor. Within the anime community, Ashley is widely known as Anna May Belle, webmistress of AnimeBelle.com, one of the most highly regarded and popular anime websites in the south. AnimeBelle hosts a gallery containing over 24,000 photos with hundreds more added after every convention she attends. The website also hosts forums, guest interviews, event reporting, and a convention schedule of southern anime conventions. If it's of interest to southern anime fans, it interests AnimeBelle, y'all!