Anime Convention News!
News from our members and friends from across the U.S.A., reporting in on anime conventions that we do not get to attend in person.Anime Expo 2007: Reporting by Kell Komatsubara and Lia Rodriguez
Once again, Anime Expo proved to be the pinnacle of anime heaven in 2007. With the showings of the Deathnote movie, and the S.K.I.N. concert, there was not much time for rest at this convention. We got to make a lot of new friends, from artist Lanny Liu, to Manga University publisher Glenn Kardy. As we perused the dealers hall, (actually, it was a HUGE ARENA!) we got to see all the latest in anime and manga and not to mention the GIRLS! Outside, on the promenade deck, there were a lot of cosplayers in some of the COOLEST costumes you've ever seen. Also, did I forget to mention the GIRLS?! This year, at Long Beach Convention Center, I saw a line over two miles long with people waiting to get tickets. I think they should have just bought them online and saved the hassle! Next year, it will be at Los Angeles Convention Center. We will be back there again, with more reinforcements!
Anime Expo 2006: Some pics from the "TAMAGO"
Kawaii Kon 2006: Wow, that was crowded! By Kell Komatsubara
Well, the Kawaii Kon version 2006 is now over! If you didn't go, you missed out on a good show with excellent cosplaying! This year, the con has truly outgrown it's current venue and will now begin looking for a new home that can actually handle the people attending. Although I can't papa-para myself, I truly enjoyed the Yoko Ishida concert! I am assured next year will be in a bigger venue, and even more guests to be in the line up. My wish, is for them to bring in some of the best japanese voice actors to the panels! I'll be around all day for that if that happens! Now for some pictures!
OAE Member, Mari Okazaki as "OSAKA" from Azumanga Daioh!
Mari and President Kell posing for the cameras.
member Lisa Kinoshita, will dance for money!
Killing time in the hotel room in the afternoon...
Some Prince of Tennis cosplayers! KAKKOI!!!
A Final Fantasy RED MAGE!!! WAI!!!!!
What the... SpaceBalls????AND FINALLY!!!!
YOKO ISHIDA!!!! HUZZAH!!!!!!!
Yeah, my camera needs zoom! Anyone wants to donate a camera to us?Anime Expo 2005: Aloha from Phoenix, Arizona! By Ethan Shimokawa
Your fellow Tamago-kun was able to roll all the way down to the West Coast of Anaheim California to share you some brief delightful insights and comments on Anime Expo 2005 for the beginning of July. (July 1st to July 4th) For a brief background history in short, Anime Expo is the biggest Anime convention event on the West Coast compared to the rest of the other Anime conventions every year with usually an expected average increase of attendees by 40%. Anime Expo reported about 33,000 people ranging from guests, sponsors, staff and attendees for 2005. This was quite remarkable from last year’s report which was about 22,000 - 24,000.
Cosplayers, artists, gamers, anime fans alike gather to conventions to share a common interest in Anime in general. For Anime Expo, it is a place where many can showcase and gain something in the end. Back in 2003, Anime Expo began AX Idol similar to American Idol where winning contestants were able to do voice acting for an upcoming anime or even singing. Artists also are given a spot to shine the most in the Artist Alley. But let's not forget how to splurge your money even if you were on a budget for this event. The Dealers Hall is the biggest section of the entire convention every year where you can get a deal of a lifetime for manga, posters, music, anime, toys, models and maybe an autograph by voice actors, producers, singers who come as guests to do autograph sessions. Anime Expo took over almost 3/4 of the Anaheim Convention Center from bottom to top this year alone compared to the past times that was seen from past attendance. The downside of this year’s event though was the lacking amount of Movie rooms that showcase current Anime in the United States as all the Movie rooms were in the Marriot Hotel.
The biggest spectacle though for Anime Expo 2005 was KOTOKO’s US Debut sponsored by Geneon. She is a rising J-Pop/Techno artist singing for many Anime series for the opening and closing scenes. Before KOTOKO’s concert began, Geneon presented some upcoming attractions, and of course I was there to listen in on everything and the concert but I can only give you so much information unless you were there too.
US Voice Actors Crispin Freeman and a fellow actor were on hand to showcase the coming licensed attractions and previous shows from 1992-2005. Geneon was also proud to present something unpredictable to many fans of one most popular Anime series which was Hellsing, the Hellsing OVA. Manga Artist Kouta Hirano and Producer Yasuyuki Ueda were “Special Guest” to present the upcoming Hellsing OVA and do a short Q&A. Though I wish I could have stayed to actually watch the closing ceremony but time and work is a factor that I live by and I had to go. So make time to enjoy every bit of whatever you can muster out to enjoy this event like I did.
There are many other attractions from what is said here so make time and read more about Anime Expo in the future. Some key values for Anime Expo and any convention that you might have in mind is doing pre-registration and Hotel reservations early within 4 to 5 months of event. Visit the official Anime Expo website http://www.anime-expo.org to pre-register and get Hotel reservation deals on the next upcoming expo when the time is right.