We got back to Anime Central 2006 Saturday at 10:00 AM and went to the press room to check to see if we could interview a few of the guests we were there to see. There weren’t any opportunities either Saturday or Sunday to interview the people we wanted to but we did get to go to the panels these guests were hosting.
The first panel we went to was Tokusatsu: Live Action Shows, which showcased Japanese live-action films along the lines of Kamen Rider Kabuto and the Sentai series. One that really caught my eye was Garo. That show looked frick’n sweet. The production value on that series looks pretty top notch and the concept behind it all is intriguing enough for me to want to watch it all the way through at home. Just the teaser made me waver in my opinion of Japanese live action, which is influenced largely and sadly by Godzilla and Power Rangers.
All three of us then attended the Studio Tavicat panel and we got to pose questions to both Rikki and Tavisha about their work, their designs and inspirations.
After that was a quick breather then an even longer breather as we waited in an enormous line for the Gothic Lolita panel. Zingor and David, though, couldn’t stay as they both had a scheduling conflict with the Junko Mizuno Meet and Greet. Nuts to them, they missed out on one of the best panels at the con in my opinion.
I would have never known that there were so many varieties of Lolitas or anything about their lifestyles and attitudes, ect. Very, very informative and well presented. They even had an impromptu fashion show exhibiting the various Lolitas and what they did to achieve their particular style.
We had planned to attend the dollfie panel because believe it or not I think those dolls rock. I personally would never own one (publicly) but I can totally see the draw of customizing and personalizing your own Mini Me or Mini Man. I ran into a doll owner outside the panel who was matched with her creation. She was a design student and she said that making and designing clothes on a small scale was both more expedient and cheaper than sewing a design full scale.
Suuurre I believe you (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). Never the less, her doll was styling and though we couldn’t stay for the panel it was good to speak with someone who actually made her doll, excuse the pun, outta whole cloth.
While we were down stairs we poked our heads into the gaming area. Whoa, sweet, Japanese gaming! Everyone was of course freaking out on the various dancing games; Para Para, Dance Dance Revolution, and a new one to me; In the Groove. I swear those games will teach anyone how to dance (Yay! There’s hope for me!!). Also downstairs were the role-players and interestingly enough, Go. Go is an ancient and time consuming strategy game used to teach oneself to think many, many turns ahead. I thought it was cool it was at an anime convention. There were actually many non anime related Japanese panels at the con which were a plus in my book.
Zingor attended the RPGs Beyond Final Fantasy panel as David and I perused the vendors and Artist Alley. When we got back to see the Masquerade the line was so long we got discouraged enough to just sit on our asses in the atrium and watch the cosplayers there. I had no idea the Masquerade was that popular; I mean this was after all my first con of any kind.
Curiosity prevailed though and we were able to catch the tail end of the Masquerade and all of the skits next door to the Ballroom on closed circuit TV. I’ve never been so impressed with another person’s costuming skills. You cosplayers at the con had Mad Skillz! The skits rocked too and the audience was so good. I understand now why people cosplay at cons; the acceptance and warmth are fantastic. I’ll be posting the winners of the Masquerade and the skits ASAP and I’ll try and track down video of the skits, they’re so damn funny.
Your Favourite Anime Sucks took center stage after the Masquerade and man, I thought I was harsh with certain anime. These guys dole out the pain onto your most beloved series and belittle you personally to boot. It made for some good watching for sure. David took some audio of Your Favourite Anime Sucks, I believe, which I’ll be hooking up as soon as it’s uploaded.
We were so damn tired after that we staggered down the halls through Hamburg (con-goers know exactly what I’m talking about) and were amazed at the influx of people going to the Soap Bubble. I’m so getting old, damn. Maybe next year I’ll just hook caffeine and crack into a vein and be able to party all night.
Hopefully though, I won’t have to wait another year to get my con fix on. I’m looking into other cons in the US and seeing if it’s feasible to get there. I’m hooked and any fan who’s ever gone to a con knows this feeling, I know I do now. I finally understand…
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