First American Anime Awards, New York

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The months of February and March were chock full of awards, as the U.S. and Japan FINALLY gave recognition to the much criticized and under appreciated talents of the seiyuu or voice actor. Last February 24, the First American Anime Awards were held in the New Yorker Hotel in New York City. As expected, Full Metal Alchemist garnered most of the awards, including Best Long Anime Series, Best Cast, Best Actor (Vic Mignogna who voiced Edward Elric), Best Package Design, and Best Theme Song (the hard rockin' Rewrite by Asian Kung Fu Generation). Best Anime Comedy and Best Anime Short Series went to FLCL (or Fooly Cooly). However, winning Best Actor and Actress in a Comedy are Dave Wittenberg and Debi Derryberry for Zatch Bell. The Best Actress plum went to Mary Elizabeth for her role of Motoko Kusanagi in Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig. It certainly came as no surprise that Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children won Best Anime Feature. Fruits Basket won Best Manga. Finally, Peter Fernandez was given a Lifetime Achievement Award for his numerous contributions as a voice director and writer for several foreign language films.