This KPop Demon Hunter will be in KC next week. See who else is at Planet Anime
Fans of the worldwide Netflix smash hit movie “KPop Demon Hunters” will have a chance to meet one of the main character’s voice actors in Kansas City next weekend, along with more performers from popular anime.
May Hong provides Mira’s speaking voice in the movie. It’s become a global animated sensation that earned four Grammy Award nominations for songs featured in the film. Hong is scheduled to appear at Planet Anime Kansas City at Bartle Hall inside the Kansas City Convention Center on Nov. 22-23.
The event runs from Friday, Nov. 21-Sunday, Nov. 23, and is hosted by Planet Promotions, which also puts on Planet Comicon Kansas City each spring in the same downtown venue.
Among the voice actors from anime like “One Piece,” “My Hero Academia,” “Sailor Moon,” and “Naruto,” coming to Kansas City, artists, exhibitors, panels, cosplay, gaming and an anime screening room are also on-site for fans to enjoy. An exhibition of cars called itasha that are decorated with images of characters from anime, manga or video games returns to the convention.
Tickets can be bought online and cost $45 on Friday and Sunday; $55 on Saturday; and $80 for a weekend pass for adults. It’s $10 for for any day and $20 for a weekend pass for kids ages 8-12, and it’s free to enter for kids 7 and under.
Here’s who else is coming to Planet Anime.
Voice actors, artists you can see at Planet Anime Kansas City
Each voice actor charges fees for autographs and pictures, and prices are subject to change and will vary depending on who you’re hoping to meet at Planet Anime. Check the guest list online to find pricing and where their meeting area is at the south end of Bartle Hall.
Hong is the big name coming to Kansas City. In addition to being one of the voice actors for HUNTR/X, the K-pop group in the movie, she’s also had roles in television shows like “Full Circle” and “Hacks.”
Melissa Fahn, who is voice of Hello Kitty and Betty Boop and was heard in animes like “Cowboy Bebop,” and “Ghost In The Shell,” is at the convention Nov. 22-23.
Yuri Lowenthal has played many characters in the anime world, most notably Sasuke Uchiha in the classic shonen franchise “Naruto.” Elsewhere, he’s the voice of Spider-Man in various video games featuring the Marvel icon and Ben Tennyson in the Cartoon Network classic “Ben 10.”
Lowenthal’s wife, Tara Platt, is also a voice actor and will be at Planet Anime. She’s the voice of Temari in “Naruto” and Reina in “Rave Master,” and recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of her production company, Monkey Kingdom Productions. Both Lowenthal and Platt are available Nov. 22-23.
Gabe Kunda, who recently voiced Marvel character Blade in the free-to-play video game Marvel Rivals, will be at Planet Anime on Nov. 22-23. His voice is also heard in character such as Rock Lock in “My Hero Academia,” and King in “One Piece.”
Fellow “My Hero Academia,” and “One Piece” cast member Kyle Phillips is there Nov. 22-23. Outside these animes, he’s a voice director for popular titles like “Fire Force” and “Fairy Tail.”
Kansas City-based webcomic creator Leeanne M. Krecic is available all weekend for fans to meet. Also known as Mongie, she’s the writer of “Let’s Play,” a webcomic that’s been read over 7 million times and is now an anime series on Crunchyroll.
