News

With literally hundreds of V/O credits to his name, Veteran Voice Monkey Steve Blum is best known as the voice of “Spike Spiegel” from Cowboy Bebop, “Wolverine” from several incarnations of X-Men (animated movies, games, the Wolverine and the X-Men TV Series, The Super Hero Squad Show, X-Men Anime and more), “Orochimaru,” “Zabuza,” and others from Naruto, “Green Goblin” from the Spectacular Spiderman series, “Heatblast,” “Vilgax” and “Ghostfreak” from Ben 10, “Grayson Hunt” (Bulletstorm) “Grunt” (Mass Effect 2 and 3),”Zoltan Kulle” from Diablo 3, “Abathur” from Starcraft 2:Heart of the Swarm, “Tank Dempsey” (Call of Duty), “Killer Croc” from Arkham Asylum, “Oghren” (DragonAge),“Vincent Valentine” (Final Fantasy VII), “Leeron” (Guren Lagann), “Jamie” from Megas XLR, “Storm Troopers” and many others in most of the Star Wars games, The voice of 7-11, dozens of Digimon and a gigantic list of other characters from Anime, Video Games, TV and Film.

In 2012, Steve was inducted into the Guinness Book of World records as Most Prolific Voice Actor in Video Games – appearing in almost 300 games (now approaching 400!) 

Most recently, he appeared on the Emmy award-winning Transformers: Prime, playing the iconic, deadly and sometimes delusional Decepticon “Starscream.” Also as “Devil Dinosaur” on HULK: Agents of SMASH, “Sub-Zero,” “Reptile and “Bo’Rai Cho” in Mortal Combat X, several characters on Wabbit, Ultimate Spider Man, Ben 10: Omniverse, The Regular Show, Doc McStuffins, Uncle Grandpa, Wander over Yonder, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Tenkai Knights, and as the terrifying anti-bender “Amon” on the hit series Avatar: The Legend of Korra!

Watanabe is a producer at animation studio Orange Ltd. Watanabe is currently working on TRIGUN STAMPEDE and BEASTARS as business producer and as creative producer of yet-unannounced projects at Orange.

Watanabe grew up in America but after college, by some weird twist of fate, began working for studio Madhouse Inc.. After leaving Madhouse, Watanabe became a freelance producer/coordinator and worked closely with studio P.A.WORKS. He has been a Producer for works including Eccentric Family, 2 and the League of Legends Commercial: New Journey.

Mary Elizabeth McGlynn is a voice over actress, writer, singer and director. As an actress, she portrayed Major Motoko Kusanagi in Ghost In The Shell Innocence, Solid State Society and Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex for which she won the American Anime Award for Best Actress.

You can also hear her as the Female Crusader in Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, Kurutsu in Ghost in the Shell Arise, Mrs. Maheswaran in Steven Universe, Sei in Alpha Protocol and Nora in Final Fantasy XIII. Some of her other popular roles are Cornelia in Code Geass, Kurenai from Naruto, Julia from Cowboy Bebop, Zanpakuto from Bleach, Helba and Bordeau from .hack, Jagura from Wolf’s Rain, Nuriko in Fushigi Yuugi and Caroline from Vampire Hunter D. She recurs on Geek & Sundry’s Critical Role as Zahra Hydris, a tiefling warlock.

Mary is directing Penn Zero: Part Time Hero for Disney XD, starring Thomas Middleditch, Adam Devine, Alfred Molina and Larry Wilmore. She also directed Naruto Shippuden. She has directed the six Naruto movies, Naruto and Naruto Shippuden (the series), for which she received the 2008 SPJA award for best director.

Hotels are now open for reservations!

Please check sakuracon.org/hotels-travel/hotels for available rooms.

Johnny Yong Bosch got his start fighting giant bugs as Adam Park, the Black Ranger, Green Zeo and Green Turbo Ranger on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. It is a role that he would play for three and a half seasons on television, two motion pictures and two special guest appearances in future Power Rangers seasons.

After Power Rangers, Johnny became very involved in the world of voice over. His first major voice acting role was Vash the Stampede in Trigun. He later went on to voice Kaneda in Akira, Renton in Eureka Seven, Kiba in Wolf’s Rain, Ichigo Kurosaki in Bleach, Lelouch Lamperouge in Code Geass, Izaya in Durarara and Yukio in Blue Exorcist, Sasori in Naruto, Artemis in Sailor Moon, Hajime in Danganronpa 2, Makoto Tachibana in Free!, Nate in Yokai Watch, Orga in Mobile Suit Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans, Haruo in Hi Score Girl, Zora in Black Clover, Jonathan in Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, Sabo in One Piece Stampede, Giyu in Demon Slayer, Lio in Promare, Broly in Dragon Ball FighterZ, Nine in My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising and many more.

We have an urgent need for general staffers in both the Cosplay Repair Station and Manga Library.

If you are interested in volunteering please email volunteers@sakuracon.org

Manga Library Staff Requirements:

The Cosplay Contest 2022 Sign-Ups are opening soon! On Feb. 6th, 12pm PST the sign-ups are first come, first serve, check out the rules here: https://sakuracon.org/programming/contests/costume-contest/

If you have any questions, please email us at cosplay@sakuracon.org
It is late, but if this can be posted tomorrow for people to know the sign ups are opening on Sunday, that would be great!

Exhibits Hall is looking for volunteers who are dependable team players to join our team. Prior experience a plus. We are looking for individuals who take directions well, are punctual, and clearly communicate.

The expectation is that all our Exhibits Hall staff will set an example on consistent, proper face masking. We lead by example. You’ll be required to do 16 hours over the course of the con leaving plenty of freedom in your schedule to explore and participate in other con activities. Come join Team Exhibits Hall!

You must be at least 16 years old.

You must show proof of full vaccination (at least 2 doses), no exceptions.

Come one come all to the brawl of the year!

Magic versus Melee! Fisticuffs and spells. Join us and put your best defense on the line!

Cosplay Chess is now accepting applications for all three games, Friday Night’s Late Night, Saturday’s Main and Sunday’s Improvise.

If you have any questions, please email us at cosplaychess@sakuracon.org

Hisayuki Tabata started his career as an animator in Tokyo. A twenty year veteran of the industry, Mr. Tabata has worked on many well-known projects over the years.  He has contributed to Godannar (2004), Code Geass (2008), Accel World (2012), and Weathering with You (2019). He has served as an Animation director on GunxSword, Accel World, Code Geass R2, and many others.

He is best known for his character designs in Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works, Qualidea Code, and Yuyushiki. Recently, he has been working on illustrations in addition to his animation work.He also provided character design and directed the Canadian promotional video, Attakai, Fuyu Canada. (Warm, Winter Canada). Currently, he is working on a new animation project.When he isn’t working hard, he enjoys traveling and finding good wine to drink.Mr. Tabata is excited to be back in the United States for Sakura Con 2022 and hopes to see everyone at his panels, autograph sessions and at his booth.