Misuzu Live
I am certain there is too much certainty in the world.
Otakon Side Quests!
Jul 26th
Like AX, Otakon is going to have a few special things going on. No bonus concerts at panels or the dealers room though (that i know of, seriously)! Nothing that special, sorry to get your hopes up. Anyways…
HenDaNe (booth 111-115 in the dealers room) is having a raffle for some exclusive Yoshitoshi ABe goods! Two autographed sign-boards with sketches and two autographed doujinshi (photo above)! Aside from that, the artist supplied HenDaNe with a number of out of print doujinshi. That’s exciting considering you’d be hard pressed to find those books in Japan. Any purchase of $40 or more earns you a raffle ticket. Then just return to the booth Saturday at 4:30pm for the raffle. If you’re not in attendance, you miss your chance to win!
MangaGamer (booth 214) returns to Otakon, and they managed to bring a limited number of various goods from AX with them. Hardcopies of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni and Kira Kira! They also have “less than two dozen” copies of Love+ available. Finally, like AX they are doing another 18+ panel. Sadly they probably can’t have the same surprise concert here, but there will be prizes! Look forward to the panel “Visual Novels: Drama, Moe and Everything in Between!!” in Panel 4 (Hilton Key Ballroom 11-12) at 12:30AM on Friday night. Hopefully, being a Key ballroom means there will be lots of AIR. Cosplayers and everyone else take note! I’ll settle for any Key representation.
I’m sure some more side notes will come down as the clock counts down. Of course it’ll probably be when we’re all traveling at this rate! So, pay attention to my twitter, misuzulive. There will be posts and updates as the convention goes on. And if you see a little blue convertible with several Vocaloid characters on the side as you’re headed up I-95, wave!
Update: No, I’m not implying there will be a Key related announcement by MangaGamer. I just want to see more Key cosplayers.
Anime Expo 2010
Jul 25th
Welcome to Los Angeles, the biggest city in the USA that I can drive through at full tilt. It’s also home to the 19th year of Anime Expo, the biggest anime convention in the United States. Last year they brought in 44,000 unique fans over the course of 4 days. This year they’re back at the Los Angeles Convention Center, with events in the nearby Nokia Theater, Plaza, JW Marriot, and Club Nokia. The convention boasted a wide variety of Japanese and American guests, events, panels, and dealers.
Anime Expo typically offers the most industry guests and events of US conventions, as it is mostly industry supported as opposed to fan run conventions. Many US market companies also make announcements during the convention. 2010 is also the first year since Michael Lattanzio was hired as the CEO of the Anime Expo head organization Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA). Attendance suggests this is also the first year since 1993 that the California event has failed to grow. Anime Expo did not release a unique count for 2010, only a turnstile count (4 day pass = 4 people) of 105,000.
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Animazment 2010: Moreなう
Jun 11th
Dancingなう (nau)
I captured a lot of video clips from Saturday’s night dance at Animazement. A great show was put on by DJ Speedycake and DJ Amaya. Finally, I’ve got the video online for your pleasure.
Plugsなう
Omonomono, who I finally got to meet this Animazement, now has their report up too. It’s a good read!
Animazement 2010
Jun 3rd
Animazement returned to downtown Raleigh to celebrate its 13th birthday by the newly completed City Plaza. Despite growing pains as they settle into their second year downtown, they’ve managed to grow and keep things running smoothly. This year they put their hard efforts on display with more to offer than ever.
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Kud Wafter Preview
Jun 3rd
June is here and that means less than a month ’til Kud Wafter hits Japanese shelves. If you haven’t already pre-ordered it, Key is giving you another 13 minutes and 27 seconds to think about it. An official 720p preview is now up on Youtube! At least do it to hear Kudo say “Hello.”
Animazement: Success
May 31st
Animazement just wrapped up with another year of growth. 7070 fans stormed downtown Raleigh this year. Check back soon for my photos and report.
Anime Central 2010
May 25th
Taking it easy in Chicago wasn’t in the cards this year. My trip to Anime Central was completely dominated by work. Of course, this trip wasn’t for fun or reporting – it was for working. So I worked it easy. However, this was still my first Anime Central and now I know what I’ve been missing. A busy con with a lot of great cosplayers; I hope to come as an attendee next year.
Working aside, I managed to get out a bit. I wanted to see Hardcore Synergy but I learned on Saturday that it occured Friday. Still, I got to check out a few panels, such as that of Kaori Nazuka (Eureka Seven). And stumbled down to the game room for a late night touhou meetup. I was impressed by the number of touhou cosplayers and fans here. So it was worth the sleep deprivation come work again Sunday morning.
I can’t complain about working a con, you meet a lot of interesting people doing it. For me it was a great chance to check out a new con without the expense. Then occasionally things like this happen:
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Show-stopper
May 11th
I apologize in advance if you’re not a Top Gear fan. Go familiarize yourself and come back.
This artist is a genius.
New Vocaloid: Lily?
May 9th
Lily was introduced in the latest DTM Magazine over the weekend as a new Vocaloid under development. The magazine, which has published accurate Vocaloid information before, states she was illustrated by KEI (the artist behind Miku, Luka, Ren & Len).
A Japanese blog also points out she has already appeared on the cover of a CD covering various anime themes. The CD, anim.o.v.e 01, features m.o.v.e (of Initial D fame) and various artists.
Source: ニュース２ちゃんねる & 初音ミクみく
Windows 7
May 7th
If they aired this commercial in the states I would of bought it…
Oh wait, I already did. :3