Anaheim, CA – May 18, 2010 – Anime Expo® is pleased to announce today that Japanese manga artist, Rei Hiroe, will be an official Guest of Honor at its July convention. Anime Expo, North America’s largest anime and manga convention, is scheduled for July 1 – 4, 2010, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Mr. Hiroe will participate in attendee panels, meet-and-greets and autograph sessions.

Rei Hiroe comes to Anime Expo as an established and respected manga artist, known for his many contributions to the manga industry. Mr. Hiroe is the sole creator and artist of the popular manga series, BLACK LAGOON. Since its creation in 2002, the manga has sold over 4.5 million copies in Japan alone, and has been translated into multiple languages and published throughout the world. The English version released in North America has been a smash hit for VIZ Media since the series’ debut in 2008.

BLACK LAGOON was first adapted into a very successful anime series in 2006. The highly anticipated third installment, BLACK LAGOON Roberta’s Blood Trail, will premiere at Anime Expo in honor of Mr. Hiroe’s appearance.

Mr. Hiroe has also received much praise for the manga works Hisuikyo Kitan, SHOOK UP! and Phantom Bullet, for which he created both the story and the art. In addition, he has used his talents as an illustrator to compile several art books, including Barrage Rei Hiroe Artworks and REIGHBORHOOD!"

"Anaheim, CA – May 18, 2010 – Anime Expo® is pleased to announce today that the world premiere of the third and the latest installment of the popular BLACK LAGOON anime series, Roberta’s Blood Trail, will be screened at its July convention. Anime Expo, North America’s largest anime and manga convention, is scheduled for July 1 – 4, 2010, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The exclusive uncut version of BLACK LAGOON Roberta’s Blood Trail, Episode 1, will premiere on July 1, 2010, at 1:30 p.m.

The BLACK LAGOON anime series began as an adaptation of the manga by the same title, created by one of Anime Expo’s 2010 Guests of Honor, Rei Hiroe. The series debuted in 2006 to much critical acclaim and has since been released worldwide.  BLACK LAGOON made its North American broadcast debut on the Starz Edge channel in February 2008. The DVD version of the first two series is currently available through FUNimation Entertainment.

BLACK LAGOON is known for its hard-boiled storytelling, clever dialogue and its ultra-violent and stylized gun fight sequences, often compared to Hong Kong noirs and Hollywood action films. Its high-quality animation is produced by MADHOUSE Ltd., one of Japan’s most prestigious animation studios, known for titles like Hellsing Ultimate, Death Note and Trigun the Movie: Badlands Rumble.

The world premier screening of BLACK LAGOON Roberta’s Blood Trail will precede the Japanese Blu-ray/DVD release scheduled for July 17. This special screening is made possible by the courtesy of Geneon Universal Entertainment Japan, LLC, and Shogakukan Inc."