Both guests to hold panels, autograph sessions at July 1-4 event in Los Angeles

Los Angeles anime convention Anime Expo announced this week that it will host Your Lie in April manga creator Naoshi Arakawa and singer Michi at this year's event.

Arakawa's appearance at Anime Expo will mark his first overseas convention appearance. Arakawa debuted as a manga creator in 2007 by drawing Tsumetai Kōsha no Toki wa Tomaru , an adaptation of Midzuki Tsujimura's mystery novel. He then drew an original soccer series titled Sayonara Football in 2010. Arakawa then launched Your Lie In April in 2013.

Your Lie in April inspired a 22-episode television anime series that premiered in October 2014, and Aniplex of America is releasing the series on home video. The manga is also inspiring a live-action film that will open on September 10. Kodansha Comics is releasing the original manga in English.

Arakawa will host a Q&A panel and autograph sessions at Anime Expo.

Michi's appearance will mark her first North American convention appearance. She will perform on the event's Community Stage, and will have a panel and autograph session. Michi is from Okinawa, and her debut single "Cry for the Truth/Secret Sky" was used as the opening theme song for the Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers television anime series. Her second single "Checkmate!?" was used as the opening theme song for the Dagashi Kashi television anime series, and her third single "Realistic!" is the ending theme song for Kuromukuro.

Anime Expo will celebrate its 25th anniversary at its convention this year from July 1-4. Previously announced guests include Vampire Hunter D and Final Fantasy artist Yoshitaka Amano.

Last year's Anime Expo set a new attendance record with 90,500 unique attendees, up 12% from 2014.