FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sep. 8, 2006.



Contact:                 Victoria Chan, Manager, Press Relations,

                                A. Jinnie McManus, Industry Liaison,

                                Pacific Media Association

                                press@PacificMediaExpo.com



"Kamikaze Girls" Creator and Lolita Fashion Icon Novala Takemoto visits Los 
Angeles


LOS ANGELES - Novala Takemoto, Japanese cult author and fashion icon, will 
make his first U.S. appearance as a Guest of Honor at Pacific Media Expo 
(PMX) on Oct. 28 and 29. Internationally acclaimed, award-winning film 
Kamikaze Girls (Shimotsuma Monogatari, 2004), based on Takemoto's signature 
novel, will screen at PMX.



"Pacific Media Expo has been looking for guests who represent the 
convergence of all aspects of Pacific Rim media and culture. Mr. Takemoto's 
accomplishments as a fashion designer, novelist and now the creator of a hit 
film in both Japan and the U.S. makes him the perfect Renaissance man to 
represent these trends to the United States," said Mike Tatsugawa, PMX Event 
Chair. "With the growing popularity of the sweet Lolita fashion trend in 
Japan and the United States we felt that Halloween weekend was the perfect 
time to bring all his fans together."



Takemoto's debut novel, Sewing Machine (Mishin, 2000) sold 500,000 copies. 
Later works Emily (2002) and Lolita (2004) were nominated for the 
prestigious Yukio Mishima Literary Prize. Kamikaze Girls (Shimotsuma 
Monogatari, 2004) depicts the seemingly odd friendship between a frustrated 
and bored country girl fixated on the lifestyle of 18th-century frilly 
French dress, and a spunky member of an all-female biker gang. The film pays 
homage to fellow cultural luminaries Tank Girl, The Outsiders and Kill Bill 
while incorporating homegrown Japanese eccentricities.



Once labeled the "Lolita Bard" by overseas newspapers, Takemoto passionately 
supports the Lolita fashion style, which emphasizes Victorian-style and 
Edwardian fashion girl's dress and often aims to imitate the look of 
porcelain dolls. He created his own clothing and product line, Pour Lolita, 
in collaboration with Baby, The Stars Shine Bright, a leading boutique chain 
created in 1988.



About Pacific Media Expo: America's first major trade show dedicated to 
Asian-Pacific popular culture and entertainment media, Pacific Media Expo 
(PMX) is an industry event sponsored by the Pacific Media Association. 
Pacific Media Expo will be Oct. 28 and 29 at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport. 
The show will feature honored guests, live performances, panel discussions, 
autograph sessions, Asian cinema and animation video rooms, art exhibitions 
and one of the country's only exhibit halls dedicated to Asian media and pop 
culture.



About Pacific Media Association: Pacific Media Association is dedicated to 
promoting the Pacific Rim's entertainment media industries. PMA specializes 
in Asia's cultural exports, such as anime and manga, music and live 
entertainment, live-action television and films, and diverse cultural 
lifestyles, while building creative communities and promoting Asian 
awareness within the United States. PMA is the parent of Pacific Media Expo. 
The Pacific Media Association is located in Los Angeles, Calif., USA.



For more information about Pacific Media Expo, please visit 
http://www.PacificMediaExpo.com or e-mail information@PacificMediaExpo.com.



Business inquiries please write to:

Pacific Media Expo

914 Westwood Blvd, Suite 586

Los Angeles, CA 90024-2905

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