Hideaki TAKATORI

(Vocalist/Lyricist/Composer)

Hideaki Takatori made his debut as a vocalist in the WEATHER SIDE band in 1994. Four years later, he created a band called COA with his brother, Nobu. Since then, he has written and performed numerous animation songs and works with the "Hard Boiled Rock" band ZETKI as a vocalist, performing under the name of "TAKA".

He has worked on more Live Action and Anime music than can be easily listed here, but some of his many musical credits include the opening song of Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger [His debut as a solo performer], Transformers: Steel Courage(OP) [lyrics, music, vocals], Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Children Light & Dark(OP) [lyrics, music, vocals], Sonic X(OP) [vocals], The Galaxy Railways(ED) [lyrics, music, etc.], Desert Punk(OP/ED) [vocals], Kinnikuman II (Ultimate Muscle II)(OP) [lyrics, music, vocals], Futari wa Pretty Cure Splash Star(OP) [music], Tytania(OP) [lyrics, music], Fresh Pretty Cure!(OP) [music], Samurai Sentai Shinkenger(ED) [music, vocals].

For more information on Mr. Takatori and his band, please visit his web page at www.starball.jp/takatori/ and the web page for the band ZETKI at www.starball.jp/z-ki/.

Nobu TAKATORI

(Lead Guitar)

With his trademark long hair and youthful charm, Nobu is an unforgettable presence on stage! After leaving his previous band, COALTAR OF THE DEEPERS, Nobu Takatori teamed up with his brother to form the band COA and they debuted under a major label. Nobu currently performs, with his brother, as a guitarist for the "Hard Boiled Rock" band ZETKI. ZETKI has been getting attention not only as an Anime band, but also as a Rock, Jazz and Ska band. Their dynamic and high-energy live performances in Shinjuku and around Tokyo have caused their fanbase to rapidly increase!

Nobu has played guitar for a number of different live action and anime opening and ending songs including songs for Grander Musashi RV, Transformers: Beast Wars, Gozonji! Gekko Kamen-kun, Desert Punk, Kinnikuman II, Gogo Sentai Boukenger (insert song), and Juken Sentai Gekiranger (insert song). His most recent works, which are currently on the air, include the opening song from Live On Cardliver Kakeru and the ending song of Samurai Sentai Shinkenger.

Nobu is really looking forward to rocking out for SugoiCon!

Please check out the official webpage for the band ZETKI at www.starball.jp/z-ki/.

FICE

Enn & Hyou

(Anime Visual Performance Duo)

Short for Fire and Ice, FICE is an "Anime Visual Performance Duo" consisting of Enn (fire) and Hyou (ice), who regularly perform in the streets of Akihabara - the anime, gaming, and electronics paradise of Tokyo, Japan.

Although the two might seem human, they are in fact "perfectly human-like androids", created in February of 2001 by Dr. Elvis Kawabata. At the beginning, FICE performed in front of Akihabara "otaku" shoppers, and there were no performers like them. Throughout the years, their disco beats and their high-pitched female android voices soon drew plenty of fans to them, all dancing vigorously in perfect synchronization to every move and every beat of FICE's performance, hours at a time. The art of this type of dances from crazed fans is known as "otagei" (otaku-gei, roughly translated as geek-performance).

Enn, the perfectly human-like android with serial number 0919, whose image is based on a "meganekko" (girl wearing glasses), is in charge of the analog side of FICE. She composes and writes FICE's music. She also writes the stage script and produces their costumes and goods.

On the other hand, Hyou, the perfectly human-like android with serial number 1106, is in charge of FICE's digital aspect, such as producing the website, making flyers and digital goods.

To date, FICE has released seven singles and a mini album, along with other unreleased songs under their belt. In August 2007, American fans were introduced to FICE for the first time when they performed at "Akiba Fest" in Springfield, Virginia.

Be sure to check out their official webpage at fice.jp as well!

Genkan Matt

FICE's Nemesis

(Boss of the Akiba net Mates)

Every day, the shoppers of Akihabara are protected by FICE against their evil enemies known as "AKIBA net Mates" who are led by their boss, Genkan Matt. With FICE coming to SugoiCon 2009, how can their nemesis not follow these charming androids to America? Can SugoiCon be saved?!?

Sizu MIYANO

(Moe Rock Black Cat Artist)

Sizu Miyano says "Meow!" in greeting to all of SugoiCon! A lover of cosplay, anime and video games she sings an energetic mix of anime/video game covers and her own original songs in the form of Moe Rock. Her costumes are made to fit the images of her songs with names such as "Black Cat", "Present" and "Angel". Some of her favorite anime includes: Yu Yu Hakusho, Slayers, Macross Frontier, Evangelion, Bleach, Gin-tama, Dragon Ball and Sailor Moon. Some day she hopes to form an anime cosplay cover band!

She began her career thanks to her love of cosplay by going to events across Japan wearing costumes from Pretty Cure, Pita-Ten and Street Fighter which she had made herself. Since that time her singing career has taken off. Some of her musical credits include Kakyusei 2(TV Anime) (OP/ED as a member of Katyusha), Sumomomo Momomo (OP "Mousou Break" as a member of AiAi), Melty Blood: Actress Again(PS2 Game) (ED "Wandering in Torture"). She has also contributed songs on cover albums for Macross Frontier, Sakura Taisen, Tokimeki Memorial and Idol Master.

She also makes her own cat goods. Her new product, cat's paw gloves, is very popular among the fans at her concerts. Black is the basic color for all of her goods (Wrist bands with her logo, T-shirts, etc.) and she really shows her fondness for black cats.

Sizu Miyano, the black cat lover, is here to entertain you!

Be sure to check out her official webpage at www.miyanosizu.jp.

Yasuhiro KOSHI

(Actor/Producer/Manager)

He is known as an actor and chief advisor for action movies in Japan and the U.S. Using his knowledge and experience as a former sergeant in Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force, he provides advice for battle action scenes, military roles, weapon design, and so on. He served as the chief military advisor and had guest appearances in many movies, including Battle Royal (2000), Returner (2002), Battle Royal II (2003), Last Samurai (2003), Calamari Wrestler (2004), Casshern (2004), Devilman (2004), Godzilla Final Wars (2004), Ultraman (2004), Lorelei (2005), Saikano: She's the Final Weapon (2006), and Sukeban Deka which he has a major role in. Most recently he has worked as a military advisor for parts 1 and 3 of 20th Century Boys.

Mr. Koshi is a well-known writer for the popular Japanese periodical called "Arms Magazine". He has also published articles on the history of weapons and uniforms of the Japan Self-Defense Force.

He is also a talent manager who works closely with the Japanese anime and J-pop industry! He heads up the Big Fighter Project (B.F.P.) which has been producing talented artists since 1996. Included among the many acts that B.F.P. has produced over the years are the Funny Stones, a J-Pop Cosplay Duo who performed at SugoiCon 2006. This year he has brought with him the Anime Visual Performance Duo, FICE, the solo J-pop idol Sizu Miyano, and the Hard Boiled Rock Takatori brothers.

Make sure to check out B.F.P.'s official webpage at www.bfp54.com!