America's Greatest Otaku on Hulu

Eight-episode documentary series
to premiere February 24 on Hulu

Los Angeles, CA (February 1, 2011) - TOKYOPOP, the leading manga-lifestyle entertainment company, is pleased to announce that the first episode of its weekly documentary series, America's Greatest Otaku, will debut on Hulu February 24, 2011.

America's Greatest Otaku is a revealing documentary series that searches the United States for the number one American otaku. The term "otaku" refers to any uber-passionate fan of anime, manga, games, and Japanese pop culture in which it is less of a hobby, and more of a lifestyle.

Each of the eight episodes will follow TOKYOPOP founder, entrepreneur, and filmmaker Stu Levy and his apprentices, the Otaku Six (six college students that are self-proclaimed die-hard otaku) as they travel across the country, searching for the one person who personifies what it means to be an otaku. The twenty-city nationwide search covers, in order of travel, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Denver, Dallas, Kansas City, Albuquerque, Phoenix, San Diego, Oklahoma, Nashville, Baltimore, Washington D.C., New York City, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Louisville, Atlanta, New Orleans, and Chicago.

America's Greatest Otaku features nineteen "contenders" who compete for the grand prize of a trip to otaku Mecca--Tokyo, Japan. In the season finale, America's Greatest Otaku will be revealed, and the winner's exciting trip to Japan will be spotlighted.

"My goal with America's Greatest Otaku is to pay tribute to an amazing sub-culture that many people may not be aware of," says Levy. " There are otaku living in every city and town, attending conventions of all sizes. These are fans that are entirely devoted to their passion. With this show I hope to prove that otaku are incredibly intelligent and creative fans, who are also themselves true characters."

Contenders will be judged based on six "core qualities"--pride, personality, passion, participation, expertise, and imagination. From cosplay costume designers, to manga artists, to custom anime toy designers, contenders express their otaku love in many fascinating and entertaining ways. In the season finale, four prominent industry judges vote for the winner--but fans will also be able to vote for a "Fan Favorite" winner on www.americasgreatestotaku.com after Episode Seven airs.

During the nationwide search for America's Greatest Otaku contenders, Levy and the Otaku Six visit over thirty "Otaku Spots"--locations that are rich with otaku style and appeal. Included in these Spots are: an innovative "maid café"; a hotel inspired by Japanese pop culture; a recreation of a 17th century Japanese house and garden; a ninja-themed restaurant; a bento box specialty shop; an Alice in Wonderland themed café; and many, many more.

In addition, Levy and the Otaku Six interview notable people influencing otaku culture, such as J-Pop idol Erina Mano, Three Rings games CEO Daniel James, anime voice actor and Director Eric Vale (Fruits Basket, Dragon Ball Z), FUNimation Director of Production Justin Ryan Cook, and Japanese hip-hop band and anime song writers (Bleach, Naruto) Home Made Kazoku.

To watch America's Greatest Otaku, as well as check out show clips, info, and fan favorite voting, be sure to visit the America's Greatest Otaku website: www.americasgreatestotaku.com.

Credits

Cast

Host: Stu Levy
Otaku Six: Andre Jeanjacques, Diana Hsu, Dominique Kruse, Meera Jogani, Stephan Cho, William Sullivan Brown

Crew

• Executive Producer & Director: Stu Levy
• Co-Producer: Daisuke Kinouchi
• Director of Photography: Daisuke Kinouchi
• Videographers: Daisuke Kinouchi, Stu Levy, Stephan Cho
• Editors: Daisuke Kinouchi, Scott Shaver, Kathria Tizon
• Junior Editors: Alice Park, Christina Wong
• Motion Graphics: Jason Milligan, Raymond Cinemato, Andrew Guiyangco
• Sound Designer: Ben Chan
• Field Audio Mixers: Diana Hsu, William Sullivan Brown
• Production Associates: Kasia Piekarz, Laura Benefiel, Christina Wong
• Production Coordinators: Dominique Kruse, Meera Jogani, Stevie Wegrzyn
• Production Assistants: Andrew Guiyangco, Erinn Conlon, Kathryn Cwynar, Lily Chau, Tida Jursudakul, Victor Luo, Jordan Julio Acosta
• Production Management: John Parker, Marco Pavia
• Brand Manager: Troy Lewter

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Tokyopop Press Release