SaikouCon 2017 Guests
Guests of Honor
Oscar Seung
Oscar Seung hails from Lausanne, Switzerland and is a Dallas-based actor, opera singer, violinist, pianist, and conductor. Oscar is proud to represent Asian-Americans in theater, film, voice overs, and national commercials. In an effort to combat misrepresentation and underrepresentation of Asian-Americans in the arts, he created/produced/ and stars in American Dynasty - it will hopefully be the first Asian-American drama on television. The project has been screened at over a dozen domestic/international film festivals and won Audience Favorite at the Houston Asian American Film Festival, Best Screenplay at the Largo Film Awards, Best Domestic Short nomination at the Fort Worth Indie Showcase, and Best Actor nomination for Oscar at the Ouchy Film Festival.
Voice over credits include Yuri!!! on Ice (Seung-Gil Lee), Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru (Kasen Kanesada), Show By Rock!! (Oboro), All Out!! (Yutaka Shinshi), Shounen Maid (Ibuki), One Piece (Daruma), Prince of Stride: Alternative (Nanpei Aoba), Fairy Tail, The Heroic Legend of Arslan, Garo: Crimson Moon, SHIMONETA: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn't Exist.
Leah Clark
Leah Clark is an American voice actor primarily associated with FUNimation productions.
This year she has been heard in the broadcast dubs of Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid (Kobayashi); Touken Ranbu (Gokotai); Show By Rock (Ailane); Shonen Maid (Miyako); Fuuka (Suzuka); Alderamin On the Sky (Haroma); Aria the Scarlet Ammo AA (Aria), Keijo (Ayako); Izetta: The Last Witch (Elizabeth), and Yuri On Ice (Mari).
Memorable titles and roles include Negima (Nodoka); Fairy Tail/Fairy Tail Zero (Mavis); Soul Eater (Blair); One Piece (Coby/Miss Doublefinger); Eden of The East (Saki); Baka and Test (Minami); Deadman Wonderland (Minatsuki/Hummingbird); Assassination Classroom (Kanzaki); Suzuka (Suzuka); Rosario + Vampire (Ruby); Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie - Conqueror of Shamballa (Noah); Pokemon the Movie: Black - Victini and Reshiram (Carlita), and Pokemon the Movie: White - Victini and Zekrom (Carlita).
Leah has also worked as a script writer on such projects as; Panty and Stocking, Suzuka, Peach Girl, Baka and Test, Sasami: Magical Girl Club, B Gata H Kei - Yamada’s First Time; Sekirei, and Strike Witches.
As an ADR director, Leah has worked on Sasami: Magical Girl Club; Shuffle, The Tower of Druaga, and Case Closed.
Leah’s first love was theatre and she trained in music theatre at Circle in the Square in New York. She performs regularly on stages in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area. Along with regular voice work at Funimation, her voice can also be heard on industrials and video games. She supports her acting habit by working as a commercial and independent film producer.
R BRUCE ELLIOTT
R BRUCE ELLIOTT was born two hundred and thirty-eight years ago in a stunning split-level Buckminster Fuller-esque geodesic log cabin he built himself out of broken Legos and recycled earwax. A long-time professional actor based in Dallas, Texas, “Our Bruce’s” talents have taken him all over the United States and include work in theatre (over 200 hundred plays and musicals), film (JFK, Fletch Lives, Dr. T and the Women, The Chase, etc.), TV (Barney & Friends, Walker, Texas Ranger, Murder in the Heartland, etc.), radio, commercials and anything else he could either hypnotize or annoy someone into letting him do. But in late 2003, his long and unconventional career led not to the public disgrace and/or early grave he was expecting but rather, amazingly enough, to his real calling — he started working as a voice actor at FUNimation!
His very first role (and still a favorite) was the bumbling detective Richard Moore in Case Closed, and many others soon followed, totaling to date approximately 160 roles in over 140 different anime shows. Among his favorite roles are Basque Gran in Full Metal Alchemist, Dot Pyxis in Attack on Titan, Guild Master Makarov in Fairy Tail, Captain Ginyu in Dragon Ball Z Kai, Narrator in Space Dandy and Sgt. Frog, Whitebeard (and five other characters) in One Piece, Tanaka in Black Butler, Bookman in D Gray Man, head samurai Kambei in Samurai Seven, Fei Wang Reed in Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Conrad in Romeo X Juliet (which he also co-directed with his good friend Michael Tatum), Szilard Quates in Baccano!, Mr. Saito in Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad, Doc in Robotics; Notes, Hayato in Kenichi, the Mightiest Disciple, Mobeedo in Heroic Age, Jugo in Kaze no Stigma, and King Yama in the very last episode of Yu Yu Hakasho: Ghost Files.
He has also had roles in about twenty anime films, notably including The One in Empire of Corpses, Hosokawa in Wolf Children, The High Seeker in Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker, and Dr. Wheelo in Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest. Finally, the especially sharp-eared might recognize his voice in the occasional video game, such as Aeon Flux, Orcs Must Die (1 & 2), Bloodrayne 2, Borderlands 2, The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct, Smite, and eight different games in the Dragon Ball Z series, all as the fearlessly brainless idiot (or is that brainlessly fearless?), Captain Ginyu of the Ginyu Force! Bruce wants everyone to know he absolutely loves being a voice actor, exclaiming, “It’s great! You don’t have to rehearse for weeks, or memorize hundreds of lines, or put up with dozens of other actors (such awful people!), or wear a costume, or put on makeup (well, some do, of course, but it’s not required),” and plans to continue doing it “until they have to pry the microphone from my cold, dead hands!” — which, at his advanced age, could be any minute now. (Get those autographs while you can, folks!)
Gigi Edgley
Gigi Edgley is an internationally renowned actress originally from Australia. Edgley has starred in countless film and television series including FX's Feud, USA's The Starter Wife, Enuattii, Rescue Special Ops, Tricky Business, SyFy's Showdown at Area 51, Quantum Apocalypse, Carlotta, Newcastle, Black Jack, Peacekeeper Wars, Stingers, Secret Life Of Us, Beastmaster, Lost World, Water Rats, Day of The Roses and Nexus.
Additionally Edgley has an extensive history with The Jim Henson Company beginning with her popular role as Chiana on the company's critically acclaimed sci fi cult series, Farscape in which she starred for over five years.
Gigi stole the hearts of sci-fi enthusiasts. She was originally cast as a guest star for one episode, but quickly captured the attention of the Farscape writers, producers and the fans alike. The mischievous Chiana became one of the most popular, and at times controversial characters in the series. Recently the SyFy Channel and The Jim Henson Company asked her to host Jim Henson's Creature Shop Challenge.
Edgley's team also raised over $44,000 on Kickstarter to fund a sci-fi short called Hashtag. They are planning to take it to Sundance, Cannes and Toronto film festivals. Gigi was nominated for the Film's Critic's Circle awards for best lead actress in the feature Last Train To Freo, the SyFy Genre Award for Best Supporting actress, the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress in a television series and Maxim Award for Sexiest Space Babe.
Gigi has a long list of theatre credits as well that include: Kill Everything YouLove, 4.48 Psychosis,The Rover, Boy's Life, Romeo And Juliet, Road, Picnic At Hanging Rock and Les Miserables.
Edgley is also a recording artist, creator of original comic books, director and producer. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Queensland University of Technology after entering in the auditions alongside hundreds of other candidates. Check out her website at:
Greg Houser
Greg joined the voice acting ranks through his background in IT and Engineering (no, seriously). Earning advanced degrees from Pennsylvania State University and studying drama with the Walnut St. Theatre, the Wilma Theatre, and the People's Improv Theatre. His agent told him that he had a face for radio, and he's been a cautionary tale of "how not to be a voice actor" ever since.
Greg has been performing behind the mic for over 17 years providing vocal talent for companies such as AstraZenica, American Express, Banfield Pet Hospitals, DuPont, Lockheed Martin, CBS, Honda of America, Virgin Mobile, PetSmart, and the NBA, among others. In the anime world, he's had the privilege to be cannon fodder for titles such as "Evangelion", "Ikki Tousen", "One Piece", "Shiki", and "Tales of Vesperia".
To learn more about Greg, visit www.gregoryhouser.com or @ghouser on Twitter. We think FaceBook may have a restraining order... (he's actually on there as well).
Featured Guests
Koralene Cosplay
Hey there! I'm Koralene, a cosplayer based out of PA. I grew up in the town of Lock Haven, where cosplay isn't the norm, so I only discovered it 5 years ago. My best friend introduced me to anime, so I made him go to a convention with me and I have loved it ever since.
I enjoy cosplay because I believe it brings a whole community of people together, and gives us the chance to make life long friends that have the same interest as ourselves. Many of us learn a lot of new skills and we get the chance to show off our hard work. It also lets us be our favorite characters for a weekend and bring our fantasy world we love so much into reality if only for a weekend at a convention.
I used to buy my costumes because I didn't know a thing about sewing or crafting, however I became skilled in armor and props. I also began sewing my own outfits, teaching myself along the way with internet research and a lot of YouTube tutorials. Cosplay also got me into photography and editing.
My hard work seems to be paying off as I won 2nd place in the Novice category of the Setsucon walk on, and I was the winner of Philly's Next Top Cosplayer. I am really excited to continue competing and creating, and loving every minute along the way.
Follow Koralene on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Koralenecosplay and her photography page at www.facebook.com/KoralenePhotography.
Foxxy Cosplay
Foxxy has been an avid cosplayer since the age of 14 and began modeling at 16. Growing up she focused heavily on art, competing in art shows, and even taking extra classes outside of high school. Having spent time as a cosmetology major her creative abilities have given her the chance to create impromptu costumes on the fly.
As a proud Puerto Rican she became the founder of Cosplaying While Latino, a blog dedicated to show casing Latinx and Hispanic cosplayers. Representing her community is important to her and on her down time she encourages others to enjoy cosplay as much as she does by offering advice and personal online tutorials.
As head of business networking at 8 Bit Bakeshop she can stay active in the nerdy community she greatly adores when she isn't cosplaying. Her sculpting work has been seen on Good Morning America with a cake by the 8 Bit Bakeshop team and her promotional skills have helped them become quite popular at New York Comic-Con as one of their official cosplayers. Her art background allows her to help owner Hannah Maldonado create customs treats for their clients. She has has also been featured in We Rise Mag, has judged local contests in her area, been featured as a cosplay model at several runway cosplay shows and done booth work for other companies both inside and outside of the cosplay community. Her costumes and work with Cosplaying While Latino have gained her interviews with radio show It Came From The Radio and the Daily Dot as well as others.
As supporter of Extra Life she has organized events raising money for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia using her love of video games as a catalyst for doing some good and getting her community involved.
Follow Foxxy on Facebook at www.facebook.com/xxToxicFoxxCosplayxx.
The Manly Battleships®
The Manly Battleships® are a group of fun-loving guys and gals that have formed the greatest programming group on the east coast convention circuit. Veteran panelists combine their powers with a circle of long time con-goers, otaku, and deviants to form the new titan at the front of the con scene. The Fleet's arsenal offers a lot of a lot, and a little of everything! From the "stay fun" academic to over-the-top entertainment panels; high quality times are to be had under the Fleet's banner. No matter your pleasure, there's a Manly Battleships® event that's right for you!
Twitter: @ManlyBats
Musical Guests
The Adarna
Taking their name from a mythical phoenix-like songbird in Filipino folklore, The Adarna [pronounced uh-darn-uh] are the first band to ever coin their genre as “Jet City Rock,” due to their proximity to Seattle's Boeing Field.
Nearly five years out of the gate, The Adarna are set to embark on their 7th North American National tour, which includes their performance at Rocklahoma. Their summer 2016 national tour, The Jet City Tour, was to support the release of their recent album, How Perceptive. In Dec 2015 - Jan 2016, they were honored to perform internationally for the US troops in 5 countries in SW Asia as part of their Project Gratitude Tour. Appearing locally at Boeing's 100th Anniversary celebration, Rock n' Roll Marathon, Lakefair Festival, Rockout ALS Fests, and Wounded Warrior Benefits. This high energy group is not shy to co-align themselves with movements and organizations they believe in.
The Seattle Weekly suggests that The Adarna are “melodic, polished, and destined for rock radio.” The band has been featured on MTV, Myx TV, M&L TV and about 230+ media outlets/radio worldwide including Fox stations, Sirius XM, Armed Forces Radio, and Harley-Davidson retail with music videos aired in 78 countries.
Their most recent single, “Superman,” gained much success in anime and comic fandom. This resulted in the placement of the song in a new superhero video game by Risen Phoenix Studios as well as earning nominations for Best Music Video at the Fanboy Film Festival.
Their first single, “Honestly”, aired to an audience of 10 million households on MYX TV, one of the largest Asian-American networks (ABS-CBN). The band earned this opportunity by being voted into the top 6 finalist.
This fiery, dynamic, and high-energy sound comes from a concoction of influences from old school rock-n-roll such as The Cult and Guns N Roses to modern rock such as Foo Fighters, Sick Puppies, Halestorm, Queens of the Stoneage, and Muse.
They’ve shared stages with names like Art of Dying, The Guessing Game, Smile Empty Soul, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Windowpane, The Slants, Bobaflex, The Cliks, The Crying Spell and Burning Daylight (Lords of Acid, Powerman 5000, Cage 9 & Ministry).
Tastes Like Rock Magazine states The Adarna are “rising stars of modern rock who will find their way to the top of the heap of bands out there, so make sure you keep an eye out for them. Whether you are hard core rockers or alt or punk or even dance pop, you will love The Adarna.”
What is Jet City Rock?
In the wake of the Boeing flight path, Jet City Rock is a high energy style of rock music that is a nod to Seattle’s rock music scene.
Visit www.theadarna.com for more from the band and follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theadarna.
REAKT
REAKT is a Japanese artist from Tokyo, Japan currently touring in North America. His music is a mix of Japanese Pop, EDM, and Hip Hop. His musical purpose is to spread his sound and message to the world.
Facebook: facebook.com/officialreak
Instagram: instagram.com/riuta_reakt
Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/officialreakt
Contact: reaktofficialmusic@gmail.com
Deprived
With very little to do these days...3 adolescents, whom lived on the outskirts of Allentown, decided to form a band. This band is DEPRIVED.
Deprived is an Hard Rock/Alternative/Punk/Grunge band consisting of, Mike Schaffer on guitar and vocals, Chad Marinkovits on bass and back-up vocals, and Donald Petersen on drums and back-up vocals.
Now let's take a step back in time shall we, to see how all of this got started. Originally, the line-up consisted of Matt Schweibinz on guitar and vocals, Mike Schaffer on guitar and vocals, and Rich Schaffer on drums playing under the name, "The Flaming Skulls". They gained a small following from being a cover band, but Mike and Rich wanted more. Therefore, in mid 1999, they parted ways with guitarist Matt Schweibinz, because of musical differences. In early 2000, the remaining members of The Flaming Skulls changed the name to Blister. And in December of 2000, Ian Ryczak was brought aboard as the bassist/back-up vocalist, completing the line-up. In mid 2002, Blister changed their name to Deprived, which is what it will always stay. They played show after show and even recorded the 5 song EP entitled "Thanks For The...PAIN!!" But sadly in October of 2004 after many years together, Ian and Rich decided to part ways with Mike to form a new project under a different genre of music.
After a few painstaking months of Mike trying to put Deprived back together with new members, trying out for different bands, he just couldn't find anything nor anyone. Finally in the new year of 2005, he got in contact with a man by the name of Vince. Shortly thereafter they started jamming together trying to find a new drummer to once again complete the line-up.
After many failed attempts they finally got a hit from a young man by the name of Dan Andree from an ad they put in the Pulse Weekly. After jamming out with Dan on the first night on March 17th, 2005, Dan was asked to join the band. After many shows and a very poorly done 5 track unreleased EP, Vince decided to leave the band due to personal reasons in very early September of '05.
Ian was brought back for a very short time to cover some shows that had already been booked, but sadly left again to regroup with his other project. After just a short 2 or 3 weeks, Ovlo's manager came forth with a possible replacement on bass and back-up vocals. She let them know about a guy named Austin Kitchen (former bassist of Sick Cell). The first night he strapped that bass on, he was in!!
Sadly things didn't go too far with that line-up. After 1 show in 2006 and MUCH tension in the band, they called it quits.Mike took the next 2 years off from music to focus on getting some things straightened out.
In August of '08 Mike got a call about booking a show at the Sterling Hotel in Allentown, PA. Having no band he was eager to try and make something happen. He gave 2 phone calls that day. 1 to the original bassist Ian, and 1 to the original drummer Rick. Both said they were on board to get back together as their other project is on an indefinite hiatus. They were IN!! After a reunion show in Nov 08, Rich went on to have a beautiful baby boy and hung up his drum sticks for good. Ian moved to Scranton, which once again left Mike pondering as to what to do. Mike again took 3 years off of music to focus on other things as well. In '11 he decided once more to get this band off the ground!In late 2011, Mike got a break from using an ad on Craigslist. First came along Chad Marinkovits on Bass and Back-up Vocals. Just a few short weeks later, Charles Kicska answered the ad as our Drummer. Deprived was REBORN!!!
This line-up started playing shows by March of 2012. This line-up was strictly about playing all original material to once again get our name out there. Since pretty much not playing consistently since '05, they had lost a few fans along the way. So it was a huge rebuilding time for their fanbase. This line-up wouldn't last very long, as Charles Kicska left on good terms on May 10, 2013 to join local band Scars of Bourbon as their Bass Player. So Mike and Chad went looking for a new man to take control of the drum kit!!!Their answer came very quickly. Shortly after Mike posted an ad looking for a new drummer, Donald Petersen (formerly of Creator's End and Black Fate) came to the rescue. Donald showed up to the audition and had down 95% of Deprived's set list. He was a sure fit!!!! Two months later and shows are already being booked. So come on out and support Deprived like you (THE FANS) have always done!!! Without you guys, we are nothing!
Deprived is an original music band. They write their own material, but do a few covers here and there. Deprived has played numerous shows and benefits thus far. The more Deprived seem to play, the bigger their fan base becomes. This sure is one band to be on the look-out for! To try and paint a picture of what Deprived sounds like, try and picture what they have been told they remind people of...
Deprived sounds like a mixture of Nirvana, Mudhoney, Seether, Flipper, Chevelle, Stone Sour, Soundgarden, and The Velvet Underground, all rolled up into one nice neat little package.
Deprived has played numerous shows and are looking forward to playing thousands more. Again, with every show they play, the bigger their fan base becomes. Deprived has played with numerous bands, including: 20til8, Akley Kid, American Sugar Bitch, Apocryfiend, At Your Own Risk, Below The Heavens, Blind Theory, Bongzilla, Buck 2 Eighty, Cherry Fix, Close Minded, Color of Valor, Copper Penny, Cromwell Incident, Demon Dog Sperm, 8th, Ellempee, Enamored, Far From Over, Fo A Cha, Half Life, Hell Within, Idol Eyez, Infernal Opera, Jaded Son, Jennifer Listen, Just If I'd Rage, Lacerate, L.A.M.e, Monster Magnet, No Remorse For The Fallen, Overlook, Ovlo, Pinkweed, Pool of Thorns, Poppy Cock Babble, The Preps, Project Moham, Pr$ph$t, Red Hill, Rid of Waste, Rooted, The Shakes, Sick Cell, Skalped, Soraia, Sound of Silence, Stasis, Stik Figure, StillFrame, Stimulis, SuperTruck, Terminal Inertia, The Autumn Offering, The Human Abstract, Thunderchief, Top Daeh, Type 14, Vanilla Ice and Von Kull. They hope to, as well as look forward to, playing with plenty more bands in the next few months to the next few years!
Deprived does not intend to stop anytime soon. They are constantly looking at breaking new barriers; both with their song writing and lyrics. Deprived isn't going to stop until they have made a name for themselves. Even then, they hope to keep on pushing forward!
Look out for Deprived....Coming to a town near YOU!
DJ OZNO
An Architect of HOUSE, TRANCE, DANCE, DUBSTEP, EDM, HIP-HOP, R&B, OLD SKOOL, and more... As well as specializing in Blends and Mixes.
More than just a "person who spins" and "plays music", DJ OZNO guarantees to develop and enhance the mood, vibe, and atmosphere for regional, national, and international events, expos, festivals, and conventions.
DJ OZNO has developed the concept of integrating his "Steampunk cosplay character" into the "art of DJ'ing" which magnifies the audio/visual aspect of the performance no matter what the occasion or theme of the event.
"Creating Joy, Happiness, and a Vibe through music and entertainment"
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT - IMAGINE Event Concepts: 484.619.6541
Special Guests
The Gothic Celt
My name is Chris Wersinger, my model name is The Gothic Celt. I am a Gothic/Alternative Model and Burlesque Performer from Hazleton, PA. I've been doing modeling/cosplay for about two years and just started Burlesque in December 2016. I love doing modeling because I'm a bigger guy and it's fun to do. I love to help others build Self Confidence and promote Body Positivity. I do modeling because it's different, you normally aren't going to see a bigger guy do modeling, I've crossed that path and I love to do it and have fun while doing it. My mind frame is you can do what you want as long as it's legal, step out of your box, be different because the only one that is stopping you from doing something yourself. Be proud of who you are!
WildSpice Cosplay
Some say she is a panda, some say she is a robot. WildSpice (formerly know as CCAmanda) is one of cosplay's mysteries.
...That was my attempt to sound all elusive and mysterious, which I am not!
I'm based out of Philadelphia and have been cosplaying since 1998; going to conventions since 2003. After taking a break from the convention scene from 2012-2016, I'm so happy to be back!
I have attended over 30 conventions and competed in multiple masquerades, specializing in the performance side. Most of my convention time is now dedicated to cosplay photography (WildSpice Photography) and helping with cosplay events and karaoke.
I'm excited to be a guest at this year's Saikoucon and a judge for the cosplay contest. I hope to provide some fun and informative panels on cosplay and cosplay photography!