Two leaders of the anime industry from Japan have been scheduled to come lecture in both Austin and Houston on September 15th and 16th respectively. The lectures are being coordinated by the Japanese Consulate and local anime clubs in the two areas, and feature Sayoko Kinoshita (Vice President of the Animation Film Association in Japan, producer of and judge in several animation festivals worldwide, and anime lecturer) and Yasuhiro Imagawa (director of G Gundam, Gundam Z, and Giant Robo; writer for Virgin Fleet, Violinist of Hamelin, and Pet Shop of Horrors). And, if that's not reason enough for you to attend one of the lectures, perhaps the following statement by Jennifer Martin of the Japanese Consulate in Houston would help: "If this lecture is a success, we look forward to bringing more anime-related events to Texas, for example, bringing Hayao Miyazaki here to lecture." For those who...don't...know who Hayao Miyazaki is, he is the ultra-famous director of films like Princess Mononoke, Nausicaä, Laputa, and Porco Rosso.

The first lecture is to be held in UT Austin from 7:00 to 9:40 PM on September 15th, in the Thompson Conference Center, room 3.102. I'm assuming that the UT Austin Anime Club is hosting this lecture, so I'd recommend contacting them here for directions. The formal university contacts for the event, however, are Dr. Susan Napier and Sandra Paschall, reachable at phone number (512) 475-6025. The tentative schedule for this Austin event is:

• 7:00 - 8:00 ~ Lecture by Ms. Kinoshita
• 8:00 - 8:10 ~ Break
• 8:10 - 9:10 ~ Lecture by Mr. Imagawa
• 9:10 - 9:40 ~ Q&A Session

The second lecture is being held at Rice University in Houston from 6:00 to 9:30 PM on September 16th, in Herring Hall 124. Rice's anime club, Jo Mai Anime, will be hosting this second lecture, and you may contact them for directions. The formal university contact is Cheryl Matherly, who may be reached at (713) 348-4055. The tentative schedule for the Houston event is:

• 6:00 - 7:00 ~ Lecture by Mr. Imagawa
• 7:00 - 7:30 ~ Refreshment Break
• 7:30 - 9:30 ~ Workshop by Ms. Kinoshita

So, if you'll be in Texas during that time period, please try to attend one of the lectures--Miyazaki coming to Texas would be HUGE!