Josh Grelle
Tia Ballard
Samurai Dan
Sophie McNutt

Voice Actor: Josh Grelle

A native Texan and avid anime fan, Josh Grelle has been working in anime voice work for almost 10 years now. After starting with ADV Films in January 2004, Josh was quickly bombarded with tons of in-booth experience on a wide range of shows, including Wedding Peach, Steam Detectives, 009-1, and the legendary Gatchaman. He began working for FUNimation entertainment in 2006. Since then, he has starred in numerous titles; his most famous being Kenichi in Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple. Other roles include Kyohei in the Wallflower, Kouichi in Linebarrles of Iron, Makoto in Ghost Hound, Itsuki in Initial D, , and his personal favorite, Kuranosuke in Princess Jellyfish. More recent roles include Chow from Starship Troopers: Invasion, Nicky in Mass Effect: Paragon Lost, Kazuya Aoi in Freezing, Yuji Sakai in Shakugan no Shana, Akihisa Yoshii in Baka and Test, and Komatsu in Toei’s foodie/fighting adventure, Toriko. Aside from anime, Josh has lent his voice to a number of video games, including Sima Shi in Dynasty Warriors 7, multiple voices in Dragonball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi, The Gunstringer, and Orcs Must Die!. He also plays the very loud and opinionated Dave in Borderlands 2

Voice Actor: Tia Ballard

Tia is amazing! Tia is not awkward at all! Tia is letting you know that we write our own bios on here and it feels weird. Raised on generous helpings of Disney magic and video games, this blonde goofball has provided the voice for Happy the Cat (Fairy Tail), Mizore Shirayuki (Rosario + Vampire), Megumi Shimizu (Shiki), Xiao Mei (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood), Eris (Cat Planet Cuties), Rin Ogata (Rideback), Hibana (Deadman Wonderland), and many other toons and video games. In the summer, Tia runs Princess-in-Training Youth Camps for young girls, teaching grace, good attitudes, and how to save yourself!

“Tia is a good person and if you don’t love her you’re probably a jerk.”-Tia’s boyfriend

“So, Tia dresses up like Mickey Mouse or something at these conventions? I don’t get it.” -Tia’s brother

“Tia is delicious.” -A cannibal

Culture Guest: Samurai Dan and the Kojokan Shinbutai

The husband and wife team of Daniel and Jillian Coglan are full-time martial art instructors, specializing in 16th century Samurai Arts. When not teaching at their dojo, the Kojokan, they travel the United States performing and teaching the ancient ways of the most famous warriors in history. With a combined 35 years of experience, their show is a unique blend of history, combative skill, and humor, designed to educate and entertain audiences both large and small. Beyond their martial skills, the dynamic duo collaborated to write, direct, host, and star in a 12 episode TV series entitled, “The Way of The Samurai.” Daniel is also an author, with several martial art articles published, and is currently working on his second full-length novel.

Industry Guest: Sophie McNutt

Sophie McNutt has worked at FUNimation Entertainment in the marketing department since 2003. Starting out managing Operation Anime, FUNimation’s anime club program, Sophie then took on various duties including brand management, convention promotion logistics, and new anime research. In April 2009 Sophie became the Community Lead for ShoDojo, FUNimation’s Anime Video Community website. She continues to research new anime for FUNimation to acquire, manage Operation Anime, and operate FUNimation’s new Anime at the Movies program (previously known as Anime at the Alamo). Sophie loves South Park, anime, Initial D, jrock, video game RPGs, Dungeons & Dragons, drawing, and cosplaying. When she’s not giving panels, Sophie will be at the Initial Anime table in the Artist Alley.