Japanese | Nan Desu Kan

Ryusei Nakao

Ryusei Nakao is a veteran Japanese actor, singer, and voice actor who has worked on hundreds of projects. Born in 1951 in Tokyo, he started dramatic
work at the age of three when he was entered into the children's theater group "Himawari." At the age of five, he made his debut in the cultural
radio drama program "Fuku-chan." He later graduated from Waseda Jitsugyo School.

In 1965 he worked on his first television anime series, playing the role of the main character Jun on "Space Patrol Hopper." He is considered a pioneer
in the field of voice acting for having started working in it so early on. In addition to being a voice actor, in the early 1970s he was in several live-action television dramas.

In 1981, he was one of the founding members of 81 Produce, a talent agency. He also was a founder of 81 Dramatic Company, a theatrical drama group
specializing in musicals, and has performed in and directed many plays. He continues to be involved with 81 Dramatic Company as a sponsor and producer.
He has also worked on radio programs, records, and many music CDs.

Some memorable roles of his include Frieza and Cooler from Dragon Ball Z, Baikinman (Germ Man) from Anpanman, Mayuri Kurotsuchi from Bleach, Rene
D'anclaude from Armitage III, Farfarello from Weiss Kreuz/Knight Hunters, and Kir from Jing: King of Bandits.

Yutaka Yamamoto

Mr. Yutaka Yamamoto is a well-known director and producer of both anime and live-action films. Mr. Yamamoto was born in Osaka in 1974. He later attended Kyoto University and is a graduate of the department of literature. He is the Representative Director of Ordet, an animation studio and is best-known for his work directing shows such as Lucky Star, Kannagi: Crazy Shrine Maidens, and Fractale.

His live-action film credits include directing "Watashi no Yasashikunai Sempai (My Unkind Upperclassman)", for which he received the 2010 TAMA Film Award for the Best Up-And-Coming Director.

Lemon Drop Kick

Lemon Drop Kick is a sweetly melodic, energetic Japanese rock band whose hybrid-rock sound is a product of different musical influences and cultures. They feature both Japanese and American members and a combination of pop, emo, punk, metal, and J-rock sounds which create an incredible new presence in the industry.

With their combination of strong female vocals hard-hitting drums and driving, heavy guitars, Lemon Drop Kick delivers vivid, inspirational messages through infectious hooks and melodies. With the growing popularity of Japanese rock worldwide, the Japanese/American hybrid sound of Lemon Drop Kick is winning more and more fans all across the globe.

Yasuhiro Imagawa

Yasuhiro Imagawa is a master of one of the cornerstone genres of anime: The Giant Robot Show. In the 1980s, he worked on such hits as Aura Battler Dunbine, Heavy Metal L-Gaim, and a little show known as Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. In the 1990s, he returned to the Gundam world with Mobile Fighter G Gundam. Some other noteworthy 90s shows he worked on include Violinist of Hameln, and a certain show known as Giant Robo the Animation: The Day the Earth Stood Still, which just happens to be one of the best things ever. (Really, it's certified as such.) Not ready to stop there, in the 2000s he worked on Seven of Seven, Fist of the Blue Sky, with his most recently aired work being Shin Mazinger Z Shougeki! Z Hen - and if he's got the chops to work on retelling the story that started the whole super robot thing, you know he's gotta be good!

Perhaps best known as an anime director, Mr. Imagawa has fulfilled many roles on the production side, including production, storyboarding, scripting, and series composition. Mr. Imagawa is a native of Osaka, Japan, which is widely known as where delicious Takoyaki comes from. In addition to loving robots, Mr. Imagawa is a fan of Star Trek and the manga of Terumitsu Yokoyama, whose works Giant Robo is based upon.

Kazha

Kazha formed in Los Angeles, California in December 2008. Vocalist Kazuha Oda, from which the band gets its name, decided to start the band after a successful solo career—releasing four albums in Japan and working with the likes of pianist Bob James—because she felt it was time to work with like-minded musicians to create the sound she was looking for. After some trial and error, Kazuha finally discovered what she was looking for with Hideki Matsushige on guitar, Zen Takamura on bass, and Rui Aranai on drums.

Because of the eclectic backgrounds of the various members, Kazha represents a new future for world music; a fusion of cultures and musical viewpoints that create their sound. From Kazuha's study of classical and career in pop to Hideki's love of rock and fusion, from Zen's experience in electric and metal to Rui's admiration of R&B and jazz, the band's music appeals to everyone everywhere.

In July 2009, the band returned to their native Japan to record their first album and tour the country. Following the release of the first EP, "Breathe Through Your Dreams," on major Japanese label Victor Entertainment on September 30, the band launched their Asian tour in November, playing some of the biggest music festivals in Japan and Korea, including Metal Goddess in Japan and Fire Rock Festival at Sangsangmadang Concert Hall, produced by major labels in Korea. For health reasons, Zen resigned from Kazha in February and Yota Sato joined to take his place. Currently preparing for the release of their first album, "Overture," in April, the band looks forward to return to the US and making themselves heard.

Rica Matsumoto

Rica Matsumoto is a Japanese voice actress, singer, and all-around idol. She was born on November 30. Her hobbies are travelling alone and meeting people. She likes to ski, swim, and do a traditional Jance dance called Nihon Buyo.

Rica is best known for her role as Satoshi in Pokémon—the character known to most American audiences as Ash Ketchum. Her other notable roles include Bikki in Fake, Sinunora in Gun Frontier, Sandie in Lupin III: Missed by a Dollar, Warren Trace (and others) in Mobile Suit Gundam Victory, Hibiki in My Dear Marie, James "Jim" Hawking in Outlaw Star, Rumi in Perfect Blue, Raishinshi in Soul Hunter, Nataku in X the Movie, and Futaba Aoi in You're Under Arrest.

She's also given her voice to a number of Japanese dubs of blockbuster films, including Sandra Bullock characters in Speed and Demolition Man, Drew Barrymore in Charlies Angels and Ever After, Jennifer Lopez in the Wedding planner, Milla Jovovich in 5th Element and much, much more.

As one of the original members of the JAM Project and as a solo artist, Rica has released a number of hit singles and albums. She's provided performances for a number of anime theme songs, including those for EX-Driver, Fake, Pokémon, Panda-Z: The Robonimation, Ruin Explorers, and Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters GX.

Miki Nagasawa

Miki Nagasawa is a Japanese voice actress born on July 11. She is currently affiliated with Atomic Monkey. Notable voice roles include Neon Genesis Evangelion as Maya Ibuki, Soreike! Anpanman as Creampanda, Vampire Princess Miyu as Miyu, Detective Conan as Yoko Okino, as well as parts in Claymore, Cowboy Bebop, Kodocha and Love Hina. She also hosts a radio show with Tomokazu Seki in Tomokazu—Miki's Radio Bigban.