Anime Expo - Opening Ceremonies

Anime Expo - Opening Ceremonies - July 16, 1999

Page 3 of 3

The amazingly lovely Mari Iijima was on hand at the opening ceremonies, ready to release her new English-language album "No Limits" and perform for Anime Expo fans.
CEO Mike Tatsugawa of the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation had an upbeat speech for the crowd. He noted that the anime market in the U.S. had passed $100 million a year, and Pokemon by itself was a $4 billion worldwide industry. Like others, Tatsugawa - who had ties to the film industry - sees Pokemon as the breakthrough series for anime in the U.S.

In 1998, Yuu Watase was given the honor of painting the first eye on the daruma doll, a good-luck tradition in Japan which is part of the AX opening ceremonies. This year, the honor went to Iijima, who is has her own major project with her new album.
Then there was an energetic performance by the UC Irvine Chinese Association Dance Troupe, and the ceremony was complete.

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The amazingly lovely Mari Iijima was on hand at the opening ceremonies, ready to release her new English-language album "No Limits" and perform for Anime Expo fans.	CEO Mike Tatsugawa of the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation had an upbeat speech for the crowd. He noted that the anime market in the U.S. had passed $100 million a year, and Pokemon by itself was a $4 billion worldwide industry. Like others, Tatsugawa - who had ties to the film industry - sees Pokemon as the breakthrough series for anime in the U.S.
In 1998, Yuu Watase was given the honor of painting the first eye on the daruma doll, a good-luck tradition in Japan which is part of the AX opening ceremonies. This year, the honor went to Iijima, who is has her own major project with her new album.	Then there was an energetic performance by the UC Irvine Chinese Association Dance Troupe, and the ceremony was complete.