New York Anime Festival 2009: Thursday's Manga Party and a Movie

New York Anime Festival doesn't officially start until Friday afternoon, but the festivities do kick off tonight with a party to celebrate Del Rey Manga's 5th Anniversary and a screening of the Eureka Seven movie that's sure to attract a whole lot of NYAF attendees.

Thursday is also your last chance to save time and save a little money by buying your New York Anime Festival tickets online. The deadline is 7:00 pm Eastern Time to make your purchase on the NYAF pre-registration page. After that, you'll just have to brave the lines and pay full price at the door.

Speaking of lines, it's worth your while to take a peek at the autograph policy, which includes times and info about picking up a numbered ticket to get an autograph from some of NYAF's special guests. Tickets are limited, so a little planning ahead will save you some disappointment. Also, there's still time to buy tickets for Sunday night's Far East to East showcase concert at Webster Hall on Sunday night.

Here's more info about tonight's fun and festivities:

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

• 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm: NYAF Pre-Party and Del Rey Manga Anniversary Bash at Dave & Buster's Times Square, 234 West 42nd Street
  The fun gets started a little early as NYAF kicks off a weekend's worth of fun with a pre-show party to celebrate Del Rey Manga's 5th Anniversary. There'll be a raffle to win Del Rey Manga and anime DVDs from Bandai and Funimation. To top it all off, there'll also be a pretty schwell cake made just for the occasion by the Charm City Cakes, the confectionary celebs of Food Network's Ace of Cakes show.

  Entries for the raffle will be accepted between 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm, and the cake will be on display in all its glory too. From 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm, the official cake cutting and celebratory ceremonies, speeches and all that good stuff will happen. Be there to give the Del Rey Manga folks a little love for their five years of bringing us lots of great manga, and maybe get a slice of cake too!

  NOTE: For attendees under 21, you'll need to be accompanied by an adult over 25 years of age. Up to 6 minors can attend with each 25+ attendee.

• 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm: MOVIE - Eureka Seven: Good Night Sleep Tight Young Lovers at AMC Empire 25 Theater, 234 W. 42nd Street
  Join the rest of the crowd for this one-night only showing of the Eureka Seven movie. The Empire 25 theater is conveniently located adjacent to Dave and Busters, which makes it even easier to check this event out with the rest of the NYAF party people. You can pre-order tickets via movietickets.com

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