Local Author to Speak at Crunchyroll Virtual Expo This Weekend

Award-winning local author Wendelin Gray will be presenting “Dark Journeys: Saiyuki and Hell Girl” at the online conference Virtual Crunchyroll Expo 2020, which will be held from September 4th through 6th. Crunchyroll.com is a popular, prominent site devoted to simulcast and video on demand viewing of Japanese anime

https://expo.crunchyroll.com/

This panel will feature an examination of Buddhist sutras and sects emphasizing heaven and hell as well as some discussion of Buddhist-Christian syncretism in these two popular Japanese anime. “Saiyuki” is a profane, modern adaptation of the classical Ming Dynasty Chinese novel, Journey to the West. “Hell Girl” is a lush, disturbing horror anime with episodic stories surrounding an urban legend about a website allowing people to take revenge on their enemies that can only be accessed at midnight and an overarching story about the mysterious, soft-spoken attendant of hell, Enma Ai, whom the website sends to fetch those condemned.

Registration is free, and programming will last around the clock all weekend with a few days extra to view missed content on demand. Other featured guests include popular horror manga artist Junji Ito, an array of voice actors including Erica Mendez and Patrick Seitz, and Japanese band Myth & Roid, as well as more music, cosplay, and industry insider discussions.

Wendelin Gray will also have a virtual booth in the “New Crunchy City Shopping District” under the letter “W” at the Crunchyroll Expo, so be sure to check that page out, too. She will be offering specials on signed print edition combos and will be available live on email during the conference as well to chat about the books at icepinepalace@yahoo.com.

Wendelin Gray is the author of the award-winning gothic horror novel, The Haunting at Ice Pine Peak, and the political horror novels The Lucky Cat Series. Details on her novels and purchasing information can be found at this site under the Books tab on the top menu https://icepinepalace.wordpress.com/.