Anime Expo (AX), the largest celebration of Japanese pop-culture in North America, has brought together fans and industry professionals from Japan, the United States, and across the world to Los Angeles for nearly 28 years.

As part of their ongoing support of the local community, the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) and host of AX has identified Terasaki Budokan, a Project of Little Tokyo Service Center, as the AX 2019 Charity Auction recipient.

Expected to open in spring of 2020, Terasaki Budokan will be a unique gathering place for future generations and act as a bridge, bringing together different communities through sports and events.

A “Home Court for All” Terasaki Budokan, the BIG Gym in Little Tokyo, will be a unique gathering place that will enhance the quality of lives for locals and commuters through its diverse, intergenerational programs. The recreation and sports facilities will fill a huge void for the greater Los Angeles community offering two basketball courts, four volleyball courts and martial arts training/competition space. Terasaki Budokan is currently under construction on Los Angeles Street (between 2nd and 3rd Street).

This year, the Charity Auction will be held at Anime Expo on Sunday, July 7 between 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM in Live Programming 3 (408 AB). The Charity Auction will feature items donated by AX 2019 Guests of Honor, and anime-related vendors and companies that will include signed merchandise, memorabilia, and original artwork. Some of this year’s exclusive auction items include an AX 2019 poster autographed by the Guests of Honor.  To see a selection of the auction items for 2019, please visit the Charity Auction display in the Annex @ Kentia Hall from Day 1 to Day 3 at Anime Expo 2019.

“We are thrilled to have Terasaki Budokan being built up the street from our “home” and are inspired by the work that Little Tokyo is doing to support the Japanese American community and the greater Los Angeles area.  Anime Expo attendees bidding on Charity Auction items should know that not only are they getting a treasured, one-of-a-kind keepsake, they are contributing to a very worthy organization,” said Ray Chiang, CEO of The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation. “We know with the enthusiastic backing of our dedicated anime community, we will surpass 2018’s fundraising effort.”

For more information about Terasaki Budokan please visit www.terasakibudokan.org.

Past Charity Auction recipients include: Animator’s Dormitory, CHOC, Japan Society’s Earthquake Relief Fund, Global Giving’s Earthquake Relief Fund for Kumamoto, Japan, Japanese American National Museum, CARE and Red Cross International.

With more than 27 years of successfully bringing thrilling experiences to fans of Japanese pop culture, AX has become the premier event to introduce the newest anime films, television series, AMVs (anime music videos), fashion, video games, manga, dance, music concerts, and exhibitors to its more than 350,000 (110,000 unique) attendees.  For more event details visit www.anime-expo.org. For additional news and assets please see the online press kit at http://stage.vporoom.com/animeexpo/.

About SPJA

SPJA is a non-profit organization dedicated to popularize and educate the American public about Japanese entertainment and pop culture, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. For more information, please visit www.spja.org.

About Anime Expo

Anime Expo (AX) brings together fans and industry from Japan, the US, and all over the world for the largest celebration of Japanese pop culture in North America. Taking place every year since 1992, Anime Expo features the best in Japanese entertainment, music, fashion, and video games. For more information, visit www.anime-expo.org.

About Terasaki Budokan

Terasaki Budokan’s mission is to provide a facility in Downtown Los Angeles for youth, families and seniors that offers sports, community activities and opportunities to connect visitors to Japanese American culture and to a vibrant, sustainable Little Tokyo.