The Anime Blog

Anime ExpoÂ® 2007 Releases Final Room Blocks

By David on January 16, 2007

Nation’s Largest Convention Finalizes Special Room Rates With Long Beach Hotels Hyatt & Westin

<a href='http://animeexpo.com/' rel='external ' title='Largest anime convention in the United States'>Anime Expo</a> 2007 Anime ExpoÂ® enthusiasts can now book their rooms from the final two official hotels of the convention (Hyatt Regency Long Beach and Westin Long Beach). Anime ExpoÂ® 2007 will be held from June 29, 2007-July 2, 2007 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, CA. More information can be found on the Anime ExpoÂ® website.

The Hyatt Regency Long Beach (200 South Pine Avenue; Long Beach, CA 90802) exhibits timeless coastal elegance and is perfectly central to historic sights and myriad of shops and restaurants. The special Anime ExpoÂ® rate for the Hyatt Regency Long Beach is $139.00 for a single/double and $164.00 for a triple/quad.

The Westin Long Beach (333 East Ocean Boulevard; Long Beach, CA 90802) is renowned for both its convenience and beautiful location. Most rooms of the Westin Long Beach offer beautiful panoramic views of the ocean. The Westin Long Beach is also a participant of the Breathe Westin smoke-free hotel program. The special Anime ExpoÂ® rate for the Westin Long Beach is $139.00 for a single/double/triple/quad.

Attendees have the luxury of booking these specially rated rooms via online.

No special code is needed. Limited rooms are available and attendees are encouraged to book their hotels early.

Attendees interested in booking flights, car rentals and other hotels for Anime ExpoÂ® 2007 can do so via the AX Travel Store located at www.AXTravelStore.com.

About Anime ExpoÂ®

Located in Long Beach, California – Anime ExpoÂ®, the nation’s largest anime/manga convention, serves to foster trade, commerce and the interests of the general public and animation/ comics industry. This event serves as a key meeting place for the general public to express their interest and explore various aspects of anime/manga, as well as for members of the industry to conduct business. AX 2007 will be held June 29 Â July 2, 2007 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Southern California. More information can be found at its website.

About Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation

The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to popularize and educate the American public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property Â Anime ExpoÂ® More information can be found at it’s website.

Posted in Anime Conventions | 1 Response

Ask a Loli – Volume 1

By Codi on January 15, 2007

The life of a lolita might seem like one of leisure and ease. And although their days might not seem taxing or intellectually challenging to the uninitiated, if you scratch below the surface you can get some pretty (and) deep thoughts. Our resident loli sets out to disprove the notion that most lolis dream all day of lace and bon bons by fielding readersâ€™ questions on the subject of lolis, weight loss and kung fu.

Reader: A lot of the prints I see online at the fashion houses are kinda ugly; what kinda fabric print/patterns should I use if I wanna make my own dresses?

Codi: Anything you want to! I recommend any kind of 100% cotton prints, or cotton twill. (NOT Broadcloth, it hangs horribly for lolita projects.) Usually, I advise to go with what’s in season. Sailor prints and pink floral prints would not work for winter styles, for example. Gobelin print, while expensive, usually carries incredibly luscious prints, which I recommend, especially for winter!

Christmas cookies Reader: I ate far too many cookies this Christmas and feel really bad about it.
How can I retain my figure without starving myself?

Codi: While I only wish to fill my body with sweet things, I am also reminded that Metamorphose will be having their annual Winter Sale a few days after Christmas. Therefore, I use moderation! However, since you’ve unfortunately already have done the deed, I recommend frolics in the
park, and although it pains me to say this, tea… but with no lumps of sugar.

Reader: My girlfriend wants to practice martial arts but I’m scared she’ll hurt herself or someone else (mostly me). What can I do to support her without letting my true feelings get in the way?

ninja girl Codi: Learning a martial art is completely un-lolita, but in these rough times (may the Queen save us all!), even I have had to learn the art of Parasol Kung-Fu. Being a gentleman and supporting your beloved is
the best you can do! I do not think that she would intentionally hurt you, but accidents do happen. (I speak with experience from all of my shoes!) Perhaps then, the two of you could stroll the streets without fear of anyone bothering your elegant time together.

If you have any questions for Codi concerning lolitas or life at large, please send em’ our way by emailing Codi or leaving a comment!

Posted in Lolita Fashion | 4 Responses

The Anime Blog Poll: Are You Cosplaying At Anime Central 2007?

By Rachel on January 12, 2007

ACen, aka Anime Central (Chicago, May 11th-13th, 2007), is the first big anime convention of the season for Dave and I. Iâ€™m thinking that itâ€™ll also be the first big con of the season for many Midwesterners as well (it IS – after all – the biggest con in the Mid-west).

anime cosplay hotties! Weâ€™re starting to get our crew together to head on up to Chicago come May and weâ€™re also trying to figure out what to wear (i.e. cosplay or no cosplay). My opinion on cosplay has definitely changed over the year (I still really dislike crappy cosplays, sorry) but I still wonâ€™t cosplay myself. I will however, loli it up in a Rachel original. Iâ€™m sure itâ€™ll incur the ire of many a hard core lolita, but, meh, Iâ€™m making it mine baby!

Zingor is thinking of cosplaying (I hope you do girl!) but Iâ€™m dubious as to Dave and Chikashi. Who else is cosplaying at ACen and what are you cosplaying as?

(If you think this poll is a wee bit premature, think of how long it takes to make a GOOD cosplay and get back to me)

Posted in Anime Conventions, Polls | 8 Responses

Real Life RPG!

By Rachel on January 11, 2007

I don’t know how many people have seen this, but for those who haven’t seen this action-packed live action version of a classic RPG, I bring to you COLLEGE SAGA!

You can find the next three episodes to COLLEGE SAGA here.

Special thanks to .u.n.e.m.p.l.o.y.e.d.b.l.o.g.s.u.r.f.e.r. for the original tip-off to the video!

Posted in Anime News | 7 Responses

The Anime Blog is Looking for Writers to Cover Manga and Music!!

By Rachel on January 10, 2007

We’re currently in the process of expanding our staff and are looking for folk who are eager and willing to write about the stuff they love. We LOVE anime and try to watch it as much as possible and we know that there are some people out there who eat, sleep, and breathe manga and J-rock.

Manga Writer/Reviewer

How many times on forums are you constantly trying to get your point across when it comes to discussing manga? Is there an author you like that you feel isn’t getting the attention they deserve? Or maybe you’re a whiz at unearthing secret manga treasures that those of us in the West only dare to dream of. Sound like you? Then send us a 300 word review covering a manga title of your choice. Candidate must have strong writing skills, be able to meet deadlines, be well rounded in most aspects and genres of manga, and like to share their knowledge with those less enlightened.

J-Rock Writer/Reviewer

Maybe manga isn’t your thing but you have a LOT to say on the subject of music coming outta Japan. You know the difference between J-rock and J-pop (I don’t) and you know a good up and coming band when you hear it. You’ve been to concerts and have seen the musicians and are familiar with the sounds and styles of the Japanese music scene. If you can get a friend who’s clueless about Japan hooked on J-rock, then we’d love to hear from you! Send us a 300 word writing sample about a particular band or album of your choice (must be J-pop/rock). Applicant should be knowledgeable in a wide variety of Japanese popular music, have strong writing skills, be able to meet deadlines, and be willing to cover concerts in their area.

Perks Include:

-Credit for your work
-Your links being pimped on the site
-Promotional materials (as we get ‘em)
-Covering conventions as press (when possible. Something ta think about with con season right around the corner…)

Please e-mail all writing samples to: rachel@theanimeblog.com

If you’d like to include a short bio or qualifications for the position, please feel free! We hope to hear from you real soon!

Posted in Anime News | 1 Response

Witchblade Takeru Manga

By David on January 9, 2007

Witchblade Manga Volume One Witchblade Takeru manga from Top Cow Productions. From newsarama:

Witchblade Takeru comes out this February from Top Cow Studios. The original Witchblade was created by Mark Silvestri. The manga version was created by Yasuko Kobayashi, who served as the lead writer for the Witchblade anime series. Artist Kazasa Sumita handles art duties. Witchblade Takeru will be colored and flipped to read left to right (no doubt to make it more ‘American’ ).:)

Also, be sure to check out the 10-page preview!

Posted in Manga News | 11 Responses

American Anime Awards

By David on January 7, 2007

The first annual American Anime Awards gala will be hosted in New York City on February 24th, 2007 by New York Comic Con. Here’s a list of what you can vote on:

Best Actor – Best English dub actor in an anime series or movie
Best Actress – Best English dub actress in an anime series or movie
Best Actor in a Comedy – Best English dub actor in an anime comedy series or movie
Best Actress in a Comedy – Best English dub actress in an anime comedy series or movie
Best Cast – Best ensemble English dub cast in an anime series or movie
Best DVD Package Design – Best anime packaging released in the U.S.
Best Anime Theme Song – Best theme song in an anime series or movie
Best Comedy Anime – Best overall anime comedy series or movie
Best Anime Feature (OAV) – Best overall anime feature movie or OAV
Best Short Series (13 episodes or less) – Best overall anime series of 13 episodes or less
Best Long Series (over 13 episodes) – Best overall anime series of over 13 episodes]
Best Manga – Best overall manga series (Japanese graphic novel)