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Funny Stones
(J-Pop Cosplay Duo & Modeling Team)

Already popular in Japan, this Cosplay J-Pop singing duo is rapidly gaining popularity with American fans since their 2006 appearance at Katsucon 12. With their up-tempo techno sound and trademark onstage Cosplay act, which features them in different costumes throughout their performance, the cute and perky duo, consisting of Maro and Akiko, present a unique and different sound and visual show. Fun and energetic on and off stage, the Funny Stones are sure crowd pleasers!

In February 2006 the Funny Stones released their limited American debut album "Sky Clear" (originally released in Japan in 2004) which has sold nearly 5000 units in the US without being widely distributed. In Japan you can catch them performing live at Harajuku Ruido, a well known and respected Live House responsible for producing many of today's hot J-Pop stars! You can also catch the cute duo modeling for "Arms Magazine" (Japan) and as feature acts in the "Bleach The Idol" J-Pop concert DVD series in Japan. In the U.S. Funny Stones is represented by TenBu Productions.


Mai
(Costume Designer, Cosplay Idol, Dancer & J-pop Singer)

One of Japan's rising stars, Cosplay J-pop Singer, dancer, and costume designer, Mai is making her international debut here at SugoiCon!!

Breaking into the Japanese entertainment industry from behind the scenes, this up and coming J-Pop artist started out as a costume designer turned model /idol. Mai is known for her unique costume designs and intricate hair and make-up work that have become her own signature look that takes on a Gothic Fantasy motif. Recently Mai designed costumes for the 2006 Suzuka Taikyu Racing Team -one of Japan's most famous pro Racing teams, and has been featured as their premier Race Queen Idol. She is currently becoming one of Japan's top models and is rapidly breaking into the Japanese Anime scene through Cosplay and singing.

Another passion and talent of Mai's is Hip Hop dancing! Mai earned Second place in one of Japan's top Hip Hop Dancer's competition. Currently Mai is one of Japan's new breed of "Moe" idols and stars, a new cultural movement from Akihabara (Akiba), Japan, that is rapidly gaining popularity world-wide. For more info on Mai please visit www.tenbuproductions.com.

Funny Stones
Mai
SugoiCon 2006
27-29 October 2006
Holiday Inn
Cincinnati Airport Hotel
Erlanger, Kentucky


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Karma Shenjing

Karma Shenjing, a band that formed in 2002, is an indie rock band from the Kansai Area. Rairin (vocals), Ikuto (guitar, vocals, programming), Shino (guitar), and Ryu (bass) all come together to produce an Oriental-type sound reflecting an idealistic world out of sound. Their visual concept follows a Rin Ne Ten Sei theme expressing insanity and mystery, two facets of life, complementing their distinct style of music at this year's Jrock Connection.

Serafilia

Serafilia, born in 1998 has been a reflection of visual rock slowly encompassing the American rock underground. Convicting social violators with light of truth, they intend to comfort the inflicted with a long empathetic shadow. While nothing can piece back together the shattered nerves of the truly tormented, there is some solace in providing the hurt with a voice to reflect the pavement in the streets we all walk. With this in mind, Serafilia debuts...

Karma Shenjing
Serafilia
Hagakure
Mars
JRock Connection 2006
24-26 November 2006
Santa Clara Marriott
2700 Mission College Boulevard
Santa Clara, California 95054 USA