HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — Two of the stars in the iconic movie “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” will be on hand September 20 – 22 as the latest additions to the headliners for Spa-Con Infinity — Eighth Edition — at the Hot Springs Convention Center.
Tohoru Masamune and Minae Noji will conduct a panel discussion and interact with fans both days at the comics and pop culture convention that annually draws thousands of fans to the Spa City.
Spa-Con weekend passes and VIP passes are available now at www.spa-con.org.
“Tohoru and Minae are such a great addition to the Spa-Con guest lineup, I know there are tons of ‘TMNT’ fans out there that will be ecstatic they will be attending,” Visit Hot Springs Special Events Manager Alexis Hampo said. “Not only were they both in the 2016 ‘Ninja Turtles’ movie, but they also both have an impressive TV career, Tohoru with a role in the Netflix show ‘Never Have I Ever,’ and Minae with 11 years on ‘General Hospital.’ I think will be a huge draw to this year’s convention.”
Japanese-American actor Tohoru Masamune’s breakthrough role came in 2014 when he portrayed the iconic character Shredder in the film “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” His portrayal of Shredder showcased his ability to portray complex and formidable characters with intensity and physicality.
He also appeared in the film “Inception.” His television parts include “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D,” the animated series on FOX “American Dad”, “Kung Fu Panda – Legends of Awesomeness,” and “24.” In Mindy Kaling’s current Netflix show, “Never Have I Ever,” he plays Kevin Hall-Yoshida (Paxton’s dad).
Masamune is also an accomplished martial artist, specializing in samurai sword training (kenjitsu, Shinkedo, and laido). He was a sword choreographer consultant on the Sony PS4 video game “Ghosts of Tsushima” as well as a voice actor for the video game.
Minae Noji is an accomplished actor who has starred in numerous films and television shows, including a memorable performance as the ninja fighting baddie Karai, second-in-command to Shredder, in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.”
She had an 11-year run on the iconic daytime drama “General Hospital,” playing Dr. Kelly Lee, a brilliant sex addicted gynecologist. In addition to her live-action roles, Noji is also an accomplished voice-over artist, lending her talents to numerous video games, animated TV shows and anime such as “Star vs. the Forces of Nature,” “BoJack Horseman,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “Robot Chicken,” “Miraculous Ladybug,” “Rainbow Six: Siege,” “Call of Duty,” “Ghost of Tsushima,” “Tales of Xillia,” “Lupin the 3rd,” “Marvel Heroes,” “Fire Emblem Heroes” and “Pokemon Masters.”
On Saturday, September 21, Masamune and Noji will sign autographs in Expo Hall at 10 a.m. and conduct a question-and-answer session with fans at 2 p.m. There will be free photo opportunities at 3 p.m., followed by another autograph session.
On Sunday, September 22, they will sign autographs at 10 a.m., followed at 2 p.m. by a VIP meet-and-greet session. Another autograph session will follow at 3 p.m.
The previously announced entertainment lineup at Spa-Con includes Erin Macdonald, the astrophysicist who is the science adviser for all the “Star Trek” franchises, and a kids’ cosplay showcase, a cosplay contest, an evening of dance fun at Cosplay Club and demonstrations for fans. New and returning cosplayers this year include Akakioga, Steven K. Smith, also known as SKS Props, Casey Renee and Eric Woods.
Earlier announced attractions for this year’s Spa-Con include internationally known nerdcore rapper MC Lars, who will open things with a concert Friday night, September 20. Seth Gilliam, best known for his role as Father Gabriel Stokes in the “Walking Dead” TV series, also will be on hand, along with two iconic vehicles with connections to famed movie franchises — “Back to the Future” and “The Fast and the Furious.”
For more information call Alexis Hampo at 501-321-2027.
HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — Two of the stars in the iconic movie “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” will be on hand September 20 – 22 as the latest additions to the headliners for Spa-Con Infinity — Eighth Edition — at the Hot Springs Convention Center.
Tohoru Masamune and Minae Noji will conduct a panel discussion and interact with fans both days at the comics and pop culture convention that annually draws thousands of fans to the Spa City.
Spa-Con weekend passes and VIP passes are available now at www.spa-con.org.
“Tohoru and Minae are such a great addition to the Spa-Con guest lineup, I know there are tons of ‘TMNT’ fans out there that will be ecstatic they will be attending,” Visit Hot Springs Special Events Manager Alexis Hampo said. “Not only were they both in the 2016 ‘Ninja Turtles’ movie, but they also both have an impressive TV career, Tohoru with a role in the Netflix show ‘Never Have I Ever,’ and Minae with 11 years on ‘General Hospital.’ I think will be a huge draw to this year’s convention.”
Japanese-American actor Tohoru Masamune’s breakthrough role came in 2014 when he portrayed the iconic character Shredder in the film “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” His portrayal of Shredder showcased his ability to portray complex and formidable characters with intensity and physicality.
He also appeared in the film “Inception.” His television parts include “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D,” the animated series on FOX “American Dad”, “Kung Fu Panda – Legends of Awesomeness,” and “24.” In Mindy Kaling’s current Netflix show, “Never Have I Ever,” he plays Kevin Hall-Yoshida (Paxton’s dad).
Masamune is also an accomplished martial artist, specializing in samurai sword training (kenjitsu, Shinkedo, and laido). He was a sword choreographer consultant on the Sony PS4 video game “Ghosts of Tsushima” as well as a voice actor for the video game.
Minae Noji is an accomplished actor who has starred in numerous films and television shows, including a memorable performance as the ninja fighting baddie Karai, second-in-command to Shredder, in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.”
She had an 11-year run on the iconic daytime drama “General Hospital,” playing Dr. Kelly Lee, a brilliant sex addicted gynecologist. In addition to her live-action roles, Noji is also an accomplished voice-over artist, lending her talents to numerous video games, animated TV shows and anime such as “Star vs. the Forces of Nature,” “BoJack Horseman,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “Robot Chicken,” “Miraculous Ladybug,” “Rainbow Six: Siege,” “Call of Duty,” “Ghost of Tsushima,” “Tales of Xillia,” “Lupin the 3rd,” “Marvel Heroes,” “Fire Emblem Heroes” and “Pokemon Masters.”
On Saturday, September 21, Masamune and Noji will sign autographs in Expo Hall at 10 a.m. and conduct a question-and-answer session with fans at 2 p.m. There will be free photo opportunities at 3 p.m., followed by another autograph session.
On Sunday, September 22, they will sign autographs at 10 a.m., followed at 2 p.m. by a VIP meet-and-greet session. Another autograph session will follow at 3 p.m.
The previously announced entertainment lineup at Spa-Con includes Erin Macdonald, the astrophysicist who is the science adviser for all the “Star Trek” franchises, and a kids’ cosplay showcase, a cosplay contest, an evening of dance fun at Cosplay Club and demonstrations for fans. New and returning cosplayers this year include Akakioga, Steven K. Smith, also known as SKS Props, Casey Renee and Eric Woods.
Earlier announced attractions for this year’s Spa-Con include internationally known nerdcore rapper MC Lars, who will open things with a concert Friday night, September 20. Seth Gilliam, best known for his role as Father Gabriel Stokes in the “Walking Dead” TV series, also will be on hand, along with two iconic vehicles with connections to famed movie franchises — “Back to the Future” and “The Fast and the Furious.”
For more information call Alexis Hampo at 501-321-2027.