The Pacific Media Expo announced that anime director Shinichi Watanabe will attend the Los Angeles event as a Guest of Honor. Watanabe is a favorite among fans for his directorial work on Excel Saga, Puni Puni Poemy, The Wallflower, and Nerima Daikon Brothers among other titles. In addition to his work as a director, Watanabe provided the voice of Nabeshin, a caricature of himself that appeared through the Excel Saga anime, as well as contributions to other anime titles.

Watanabe is known for sporting a red blazer and afro, similar to that of his Excel Saga. He will join a number of other guests this year, including visual-kei rock group UchuSentai NOIZ, fashion designers Gashikon of Hangry & Angry, Maki and Asuka of Angelic Pretty, and Takuya Sawada of Takuya Angel.

The Pacific Media Expo will be held from November 6-8 at the Hilton Hotel Los Angeles Airport.