Next month’s Animé Los Angeles 18 will be without one of its Guests of Honor.

Announced yesterday, animator/director Hiroshi Nagahama (Mushishi, The Reflection) revealed they’re not able to attend the convention, which takes place from January 5 through January 8 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California. In a video message, which can be seen below, Nagahama said:

“I was scheduled to appear there but I am very sorry I will be unable to attend. I was enthusiastically looking forward to being there. It was announced I would be there but unfortunately I was unable to attend.

I was looking forward to having fun with everyone there.

Next year… no matter what I’d like to be there if you will invite me again.

It would be great to see you all and have fun together.

I’m sorry about all this. Sorry for this last minute cancellation.

I look forward to meeting you all.”

While Nagahama is unable to attend, Animé Los Angeles 18 still has a slew of guests arriving, including content creator Kaho Shibuya, voice talent Anne Yatco, and animator Kenji Yokoyama, who’ll make their first-ever anime convention appearance at Animé Los Angeles 18. A list of confirmed guests can be seen here.

Badges for Animé Los Angeles 18 are on sale to the general public here.