Anime Expo 2012 - Review Days 0 & 1

Dun dun da da da dan!

Day - 0

Woke up early and gathered the last few things we needed such as a hug and kiss from my daughter, we set off for Anime Expo 2012. A five-hour car trip from good ol' Vegas to L.A. and a extremely smooth check-in at our hotel helped keep us pumped. We decided to take the walk down to the convention hall for registration. (10-11am-ish) After seeing sights such as the increased amount of homeless in L.A. and the extremely large "Dark Knight Rises" add on the side of a hotel - We made it to the convention hall.. but alas, the con was over-ran... by the X-games. They took up an entire side of the convention center including the Nokia theater area. At first this seemed like a minor inconvenience will eventually become a little more annoying then I'd like them to be.

Ignoring the weapon isn't hard to do, right?

Then moments later, we where there. In the long line for registration. This is the first year we came as early as we did (Almost 3 hours before it opened) and the line was already long enough. Fortunately, we got a nice spot in the shade. After a 3 hour camp-out where we met (Props out to you Shonen Vegas peeps), hi-fived, fist-bumped, and street passed (Thank you everyone for the billions of puzzle pieces.) and joked about the wait period - it's finally happened. Registration was open! This was definitely the smoothest registration process I've ever had at Anime Expo. We got the usual stuff - 4-day pass, lanyard, badge holder, bag, a guide, and a couple of random things that didn't mean to much. After about an hour of walking around the convention center checking out the area we headed back to the hotel. On the way back to the hotel, we also found out the Bus system for AX was running. Oh well, I could use all the walking I can get. ^^; Back to the hotel to rest, bathe, and swim before...

Maximum Photo Op!

Day 1

Well rested and no longer smelling of travel and sweat we headed down to the convention center via bus. As usual, the bus to the convention center is filled with fellow cosplayers and anime lovers. The problem is now a days it feels more like getting on a bus for school then on a bus with potential friends. You have the big guys who take up two seats, the good looking girl who over-all is a bitch and won't let you sit next to her, the loud-obnoxious guy who is bragging about something or other, and then everyone else. Con-goers have definitely changed in the last few years. Makes me feel old.

Once at the convention hall we decided to tour around a little before heading to our first event that I was eagerly anticipating.

After waiting in line with some very friendly con-goers who were the around the same age as my Fiance and myself (Yay, friends!) we finally were lead into a room with two large projection TVs and a stage with a few chairs and tables. On the left set a young women who was the MC of the event, and to the right sat an older man who was there for translations. After a few minutes of chit-chat they finally introduced Mr. Ryo Horikawa. He was as skinny as I remembered from the pictures I've seen of him. He had a very active personality and a charming smile - Hard to tell this guy's the voice of Goku's eternal rival.

Left: Host, Middle: Horikawa, Right: Awkward Translator.

With a line of people forming to ask him question, Horikawa went from sitting behind the table to dancing down to the flood so he could shake the hands of each of the questioners. His English was good enough to where he didn't need his translator to speak for him, just translate the questions. There where alot of requests to repeat lines, some of which took him a little while to remember as he originally recorded some of them a while ago. One cosplayer requested a picture with the seiyuu and after a long chat with AX officials he replied with a happy and quick "It's Okay!" One of my favorite moments was when he started talking about how him and the voice actor for Yamucha, Tohru Furuya, used to go out to eat after recordings and how they where close friends. Tohru Furuya appeared a couple years back at Anime Expo for those who want to play connect-the-voice-actors. After the panel was completed he introduced an Emanga presentation and then the raffle for autographs were posted - unfortunately, I was not a winner.

Despite the fact that I didn't get a chance for an autograph, it was an absolute pleasure being at the Ryo Horikawa panel. He was smart, kind, and very amusing. I hope to meet him again one day but for now, I can check him off my Seiyuu Bingo Book.

After the panel we decided to meet back up with Joe and take a quick peek at the Exhibit Hall to plan our upcoming purchases. My first great find of the con was a "Partially Assembled" Gundam 00 Riser 1/100 that asked to for an offer. After checking for each framewire and confirming that the only thing assembled was the base, I offered $20 in cash for it and got it. Fantastic! From there we headed back to the hotel room for a relaxing end to our day and to meet up with the rest of our group.

.. can't seem to find the rest of my pictures, so enjoy a dancing NightOwl II.

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Later on this week please look forward to my review of Anime Expo Days 2, 3, and 4. This will include our complete adventures in the Exhibit Hall, adventures with some late night dating games, some of the interesting cosplayer changes in the last few years, and of course - the top 5 I loved and 5 I hated AX2012 list.

Anime Expo 2012: Top Ten Things I'm Looking Forward To~

Sense 1998 I have been going to Anime Expo and with 2012's con less then a week away, I thought now would be a great time for another Top List. Without having to wait for a saucy looking cosplayer or some dealer's room bargains - Here is my Top Ten: Things I'm Looking Forward To At Anime Expo 2012!

 10. Cosplayers

When you think Anime Convention you think Cosplay. Cosplay, or Costume Play for those who aren't in the know, is when someone dresses as either an anime or game character. Through-out the years though Cosplayers have become more daring, more original, and more detailed on their costume more then ever. I've always believed you should cosplay as something you'd like and not just be some attractive person in a costume your friend asked you to wear. I love seeing great costumes but even more so, I love seeing people's passion about the characters they are portraying.

9. Meeting New Friends
It's great to meet new people. Anime Expo has always been a great place to meet new people who are interested in basically the same hobby you have. I've met some fantastic people thanks to past anime cons and I can't wait to meet more in the upcoming 2012 convention. If you are interested in hanging out, you may find my group and I hanging around the Korean BBQ place in the Bonaventure. ^^x

8. Our Hotel
Speaking of the Bonaventure; I love the hotel we stay at. It's a great place to stay at during the con not only because of it's decent price, but also the amenities. There are various vendors there selling everything from Italian, Korean BBQ, Subway, and more. There is also a fantastic lounge tucked away from most eyes and a gym I never intend to go to. The best thing of course is the pool. I love this pool. Every year going to the pool after walking down to the convention center, waiting 4 hours for prereg, walking back to the hotel. It's the perfect way to end day 0.

7. Dealer's Room
For the first few conventions, the main reason I went was this room. Even though it's had some change that I'm not completly pleased about (such as taxes not being included in the price & the booting out of certain vendors) I still love this room. It's a guarantee that I go into it at least once a day. Even if it's to catch a great deal, find that rare box set, or see something I never knew existed -  I love this smelly packed room. Just please people, if your cosplay is big, stay the hell out of the room. Remember, I may walk through your photo op if you're in my way of a rare PSO figure.

6. Old Friends
I mentioned earlier that I loved to meet new people. Even more then that I love to see people I've met at previous conventions. It's great to see how everyone has grown and how well they are doing now. I can't wait. ^^

5. New Anime
 Every year I try to leave with at least knowledge of one or more anime that I am interested in. Last year it was Ghost Stories and Durarara. This year who knows! Either way, I cannot wait to wet my whistle with some new anime series or movie. Just thinking about it makes my heart race and my wallet heavy!

4. Ryo Horikawa
 I've spoken about him before - he is Ryo Horikawa. Long time actor in both live action and anime, he has always been a voice actor I would love to meet. (The other two being Koyasu Takehito & Masako Nozawa, just in case you're quizzed later.) I mean seriously have you listened to this man talk? He can threaten me with his pride any time of the day. This will actually be the first time I attempt to go to a voice actor's panel - here's hoping I leave at least with a handshake!

3. Time with some of my closest friends and family.
 I never go to conventions alone. This year my lovely fiancee, my best friend, and another good friend or two will be joining me. We always have a lot of fun adventures together and I am really psyched that we're all going together again this year. Even though I'm leaving behind my daughter and another good friend, I'm not going to feel too bad about it. ^_^ I'll be missing them in no time I'm sure.

2. Yuki Kajiura & FictionJunction
This is only my second large concert at AnimeExpo, but it's the first one I've been to where I know a majority of the band's music. I can't believe I'll be seeing these lovely ladies in action. If I could play the piano as good as Yuki Kajiura's left pinkie, I would be a great at the piano. I want to talk more about them but I'm shivering with excitement with just the simple thought!
 

1. 5 Days Of Carefree Con Time
This is the only time of the year that my worries go from Food Cost at work and the stress of bills, to the worries of making it to an event on time or stressing about if I should eat Pizza or Pizza. It's like living in another world, and I love every minute of it. 

Thanks for reading! See you at AX2012. If you're not going, see you around the net!

Anime Expo 2012: Holy Hell Mega Update!

All info taken from Anime Expo.org;

Spotlighting the best in Japanese street fashion, Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture celebration, welcomes iconic Lolita model Misako Aoki as an Official Fashion Guest of Honor.  Named one of Japan’s three Cute (Kawaii) Ambassadors by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aoki will host Anime Expo’s three fashion shows on Sunday, July 1 as well as a Lolita Tea Party on Saturday, June 30 at 11 a.m.  Anime Expo attendees will also have a chance to connect with the top model at a meet-and-greet and autograph-signing panel when Anime Expo returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012.

As a top model for BABY, The Stars Shine Bright, Putumayo, Algonquins and other well-known Japanese gothic and Lolita fashion brands, Aoki has graced the pages of the leading Harajuku magazine, “KERA.”  In her role as an Ambassador of Cute, she has traveled the world to help increase appreciation of Japanese fashion and pop culture.  While very active in the Japanese fashion scene, Aoki works to advance social welfare in her primary job as a registered nurse.

Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture celebration, today added model and cosplayer Jessica Nigri to its growing list of Guests of Honor when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012.  Nigri will appear as “Max,”’ the AX mecha girl mascot and also participate in a meet-and-greet, autograph signing and focus panel.

Jessica Nigiri began channeling her love of gaming, anime, manga, science fiction and movies into cosplaying in 2009.  Since then, she has quickly become a favorite on the cosplay scene with more than 114,000 followers on Facebook. Her popularity has grown even more through her series of cosplay posters and through her appearances in conjunction with the videogame Lollipop Chainsaw.

Nigri, who grew up in New Zealand, now makes her home in Arizona where she is a member of the Arizona Avengers, a non-profit costuming group that helps kids connect through comics.

Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture celebration, today announced “Fate/Zero” director Ei Aoki as an Official Guest of Honor when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012.

Ei Aoki made his debut as an episodic director for “Please Teacher!” the TV Series in 2002.  His credits as a director include “The Garden of Sinners” Chapter 1, “GA-REI –Zero-,“ “Wandering Son (Horo Musuko)” and “Girls Bravo” to name a few.  Aoki will team up at Anime Expo with “Fate/Zero” creative members, Producers Hikaru Kondo and Atsuhiro Iwakami and voice actor Rikiya Koyama to give fans an insider’s look at the popular series. As an Official Guest of Honor, he will participate in a meet-and-greet, autograph signing and focus panel.

Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture celebration, today announced animation director Tatsuo Sato, as an Official Guest of Honor when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012.

Tatsuo Sato started his career as an animator and an assistant director at Asia-Do. He made his solo directorial debut with the TV series “Soar High! Isami” and has since gone on to direct the TV series “Martian Successor Nadesico” and its sequel feature film “Martian Successor Nadesico: The Motion Picture – Prince Of Darkness.”

Tatsuo collaborated on the avant-garde animation film “Cat Soup” with an old friend, animator/director Masaaki Yuasa. The film won double prizes in the 6th Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal: “Best Short Film” and “Film Critic’s Association Prize”. It was also the winner of the 2001 Agency for Cultural Affairs’ “Excellence Prize” at Japan’s Media Arts Festival. In the same year, he released the TV animation series “Shingu: Secret Of The Stellar Wars” which was based on his own original story. Tatsuo’s most recent TV series is “Shigofumi” and has a new animation project in development.

Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture celebration, today announced award-winning voice actor Nobuhiko Okamoto as an Official Guest of Honor when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012.

A Tokyo native, Nobuhiko Okamoto has a rich background in voice acting. His credits include being the voice of Rin Okumura, the hero of “Blue Exorcist,” Eiji Niizuma of “Bakuman,” Ivan Karelin a.k.a. Origami Cyclone of “Tiger & Bunny,” and Accelerator of “Toaru Majutsuno Index” just to name a few.  He won the Best New Actor Award on the Third Annual Voice Actor Awards and later received the Best Supporting Actor Award on the Fifth Annual Voice Actor Awards. As an Official Guest of Honor, Okamoto will participate in a meet-and-greet, autograph signing and focus panel.

Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture celebration, today announced Japanese movie, theatrical and voice actor Rikiya Koyama as an Official Guest of Honor when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012.

As a voice actor, Koyama has played numerous roles including Yamato of “NARUTO Shippuden”, Coyote Stark of “BLEACH”, Kogoro Mouri of “Detective Conan”, FLASTE SCHOLE of “Gundam UC”, Vash of “FINAL FANTASY XII” and Kuze Hideo of “Ghost in the Shell S.A.C. 2^nd GIG” just to name a few.  Most recently, he plays Kiritsugu Emiya in the hit anime series “Fate/Zero.”

Koyama will team with creative staff, Director Ei Aoki, Producers Hikaru Kondo and Atsuhiro Iwakam to share behind-the-scenes stories of the making of “Fate/Zero” with fans at Anime Expo.  As an Official Guest of Honor, he will participate in a meet-and-greet, autograph signing and focus panel.

Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture celebration, today announced noted anime producer Hikaru Kondo as an Official Guest of Honor when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012.

Kondo established the animation studio “ufotable” in 2000.  As a producer, he worked on the 7-theatrical movie series “The Garden of sinners,” “Futakoi Alternative,” “Manabi Straight,” “Tales of Symphonia” and others. Most recently, he produced the TV Series “Fate/Zero,” “the Garden of sinners –Final Chapter-“ as well as directed “Black Rock Shooter the Game”.

In Japan, ufotable opened the first “ufotable café” at its Koenji Studio to promote interaction with fans.  With the success of the first shop, the company opened a second café at Tokushima Studio, followed by the “ufotable dining” restaurant in Shinjuku, Tokyo.  In addition, in March 2012 it built the “ufotable CINEMA” in Shinjuku, the first movie theater built by an animation company in Japan.

Kondo will team with creative staff, Director Ei Aoki, Producer Atsuhiro Iwakam and voice actor Rikiya Koyama to share behind-the-scenes stories of the making of “Fate/Zero” with fans at Anime Expo.  As an Official Guest of Honor, he will participate in a meet-and-greet, autograph signing and focus panel.

There was one more guest announcement, but he deserves his own post..

Anime Expo 2012: Guest Update #3

From Anime-Expo.org;



"Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga and Japanese pop culture celebration, will feature a live concert by acclaimed composer and producer Yuki Kajiura when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012. Kajiura brings her unique fusion of Japanese and European styles to AX with “FictionJunction,” her music project featuring the composer on keyboards and a special guest vocalist. Kajiura brings her unique fusion of Japanese and European styles to AX in ”FictionJunction,” her music project featuring the composer on keyboards and a special vocalist.
The multi-talented Yuki Kajiura began her music career performing in the female trio See-Saw. She has gone on to establish herself as a solo musician, composing music for other artists as well as producing for TV, commercials, films, anime and games. In 2002 she had a major hit with “Annaniisshodattanoni,” the ending theme song of TV anime “Mobile Suit Gundam SEED” and featuring See-Saw. In 2004 she launched her “FictionJunction” project. In 2007 she produced the music for “the garden of sinners” theatrical series, and since then she has produced the popular group “kalafina,” whose latest album “After Eden” reached No.3 in ORICON weekly chart.
Kajiura has produced music for diverse areas of entertainment including the film “Achilles and the Tortoise” directed by Takeshi Kitano, the NHK historical documentary “Rekishi Hiwa Historia,” (soundtrack), and the soundtracks for TV anime “Puella Magi Madoka Magica”, “Fate/Zero”, and “Sword Art Online.” Last year she released “FICTION II”, the sequel to her first solo album “FICTION.” Kajiura previously wowed Anime Expo fans in 2003 when she performed songs from “FICTION.” The date and time of “Yuki Kajiura/FictionJunction” concert will be announced shortly."

"Anime Expo, North America’s largest anime, manga and Japanese pop culture celebration, announces its first AX Fashion Guest of Honor, Cyril Lumboy, as it brings the best in Japanese-inspired fashion to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012.   Known to fans of Lolita fashion throughout the world as dolldelight, Ms. Lumboy’s designs will take center stage in an Asian Street Fashion Show on Sunday, July 1 at 3 p.m.
“Japanese fashion and particularly the styles born in Tokyo’s Harajuku district have become powerful design influences around the world,” said Marc Perez, CEO of the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation, the non-profit that produces Anime Expo. “With Cyril Lumboy and other popular designers to be announced, Anime Expo will be the place to see and shop for the most up-to-the-minute Japanese-inspired street styles.”
Working out of her home city of Manila, the Phillipines-born Cyril Lumboy developed her custom line, inspired by Harajuku street fashion, drawing from a broad range of Lolita subsets.   She launched dolldesign four years ago creating headpieces and quickly expanded the brand to include a line of custom dresses.   Now U.S.-based, she has received accolades for her progressive work that incorporate Sweet, Gothic, Punk and other aesthetics.   Lumboy is also recognized for her artistry in mixing prints in her dolldelight designs.

In addition to staging the dolldelight fashion show, the designer will also participate in a panel on Saturday, June 30 to discuss her creative process and how she built her brand through online social networks and live fashion shows.  For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/dolldelightpage."

"Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture celebration, today announced “Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt” voice actress Monica Rial as an Official Guest of Honor, when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012.   Rial, who is the voice of Stocking, will participate in a meet-and-greet, autograph signing and a focus panel with Jamie Marchi, the voice of Panty.

Monica Rial has been working in the anime voice over industry for over 13 years. She has lent her voice to over 250 anime including “Baccano!” (Chane), “Black Butler” (Mei Ren), “Black Cat” (Kyoko), “Negima” (Konoka/Kazumi/Satsuki), “Soul Eater” (Tsubaki), “Witchblade” (Maria), and many more. She can be heard on the Cartoon Network in “ShinChan” (Ai), “Fullmetal Alchemist” (Lyra/Dante), “Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood” (May Chang), “Case Closed” (Amy), and “Trinity Blood” (Vanessa). You can also catch her on Nicktoons and the CW as Bulma in “Dragonball Z Kai.“  Rial is also an ADR script adaptor and occasionally a director for Funimation Entertainment."

From Anime-Expo.org;

"Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture celebration, will present the U.S. concert debut of the anime-inspired heavy metal band, ANIMETAL USA, when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012.  ANIMETAL USA promises to take AX by storm with its furious combination of classic and original anime music, metallic riffs, solos, powerful vocals and futuristic make-up and costumes.  As Official Guests of Honor, the band will also participate in a meet-and-greet, autograph signing and a focus panel.

The phrase “metal super group” was custom-made for ANIMETAL USA whose members include singer Mike Vescera (Obsession/ex-Loudness), bassist Rudy Sarzo (Blue Öyster Cult, ex-Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot, Whitesnake, Dio), guitarist Chris Impellitteri (Impellitteri), and drummer Scott Travis (Judas Priest).  Adding to the group’s stellar rock pedigree, former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman has joined Impellitteri in arranging its tunes.  ANIMETAL USA’s self-titled, October 12, 2011 debut album has been gold-certified in Japan and has hit the #1 spot on Amazon’s Hard Rock Heavy Metal chart and #2 on Amazon’s Anime chart in Japan.  The band’s sophomore album entitled “W,” set to release in the U.S. in June 2012, includes “Give Lee Give Lee Rock Lee,” the opening theme song of the global anime marvel “NARUTO” spin off series, “NARUTO-SD-Rock Lee No Seisyun Full Power Ninden.”  For more info visit http://animetalusa.com.

The date and time of the ANIMETAL USA concert will be announced shortly. For more information, visit www.anime-expo.org."

This may be something interesting to check out. I'll have to find the song from Rock Lee to give an honest opinion.

Edit: Listened to the Rock Lee song. It's nothing too special, but it is a pretty cool song.

Anime Expo 2012: GoH's Danny Choo & Jaime Marchi

"Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga and Japanese pop culture celebration, today announced Japanese pop culture sensation Danny Choo as its Master of Ceremonies.  Choo is making his third consecutive appearance at AX when the event returns to the LA Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012.

Danny Choo resides in Tokyo and runs a media production company where he produces a brand called Culture Japan which is made up of a web portal, TV show and products that focus on disseminating information on Japanese culture to the world.  Choo hosts and directs the Culture Japan TV show, which is broadcast weekly on Tokyo MX TV in Japan, across the whole of Asia on the Animax Network and in America on Mnet America. The Culture Japan website features Choo’s musings on all things anime, including Japanese and Otaku culture, cosplay and gaming.  Choo is also creator of the character Mirai Suenaga who has collaborated with many companies in the Japanese animation industry.

In addition to his AX hosting duties, Choo will be a Guest Speaker on Japanese Fandom and Culture at Project Anime, the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation-sponsored industry conference that takes places immediately prior to AX.

Danny Choo joins the previously announced AX 2012 line-up that includes popular voice actor Steve Blum and Japanese pop star LiSA." - anime-expo.org

"Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga and Japanese pop culture celebration, today announced “Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt” voice actress Jaime Marchi as an Official Guest of Honor.  Jaime Marchi, who is making her debut at AX, will participate in a meet-and-greet, three autograph signings and a focus panel.

Beyond providing the voice of title character Panty, the multitalented Jamie Marchi is the lead writer for the script adaptation of the hit series “Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt.” Among her other voice acting credits are roles from “Witchblade”(Masane), “Hetalia”(Narrator), “Soul Eater” (Liz), “Shin Chan” (Miss Polly), “YuYu Hakusho”(Juri), “Fruits Basket “(Motoko), “Black Cat” (Rinslet), (Chloe), “Rin “(Mimi), “Blassreiter” (Amanda), as well as the unforgettable Mikako Satsukitane in “Heaven’s Lost Property.” Marchi also has an impressive list of behind-the-scenes credits writing script adaptations and directing series including “Heroic Age,” “Sgt. Frog,” “Spice and Wolf,” “Hetalia: Axis Powers,” and “Negima!?”

Jamie Marchi joins the previously announced AX 2012 line-up that includes popular voice actor Steve Blum and Japanese pop star LiSA." - anime-expo.org

I missed Danny 2 years ago so this will be another great chance to meet him. As for Jaime Marchi though, I don't know many of her roles very well other then Soul Eater and YuYu. It's great to see more voice actors coming out as GoH this year though. Hoping more soon!

Anime Expo 2012: First Guest Annoucements

With only about 11 weeks left until Anime Expo 2012 and now we're starting to see what Guest of Honors will be appearing. First up is..

U.S. debute of Japanese Music Artist LiSA. There will be the usual meet & greet, panel, autograph signing, and of course a concert. LiSA burst onto the Japanese music scene with her roll in the anime "Angel Beasts!" and one of the vocolist for the in-show band "Girls Dead Monster." She also sings the current anime opening for the new "Fate/Zero." AniPlex also plans to bring some of LiSA's releases for your buying needs.



Next up is the first announced voice actor for Anime Expo:

Steve Blum, a.k.a. Spike from Cowboy Bepop, Roger from Big O.. Do I really need to keep name them all off? This man has been a staple for the American Anime Industry playing numerious key characters as well as voicing some well-known characters in American Cartoons. He will be holding a discussion panel, meet & greet, and autograph session. This may be the first year I try to get someone's autograph! (Ok, second year.. but I didn't get to keep that autograph as it was on my good friend Meghan's arm.)

Something also tells me that he'll be announcing something about Toonami at Anime Expo, if we don't hear anything before then. >.>

 

Stay tuned as more guests and events will be announced soon!

Anime Expo 2012 Shopping List!

   AnimeExpo 2012 is just a few months away. Tickets are bought and hotel is reserved and now to keep saving as much money as possible to be able to go this year. With close friends dropping out of going this year, it looks like this will be the year of Kaji & Yopo. With this in mind, we won't have as much money as we've had in previous years. 2012 is the year of the budget, so I kept that in mind while working on my hunting list for this year.
   Another thing to watch for is shelf room. Yopo and I have recently combined our collections under one roof, so shelf room is something of an issue. This year's list has a few guidelines to follow. Remember, guidelines are not rules. There are asterisks around the items I don't plan to leave AX without.

ANIME

The final box for completing the new releases of Utena. Hunting Price: $25 (Amazon Price: $49.99)

The complete Samurai Champloo series box set. Hunting Price: $20 (Amazon Price: 24.99)

*Code Geass R2 Complete Season (Season 2)* Hunting Price: $25 (Amazon Price: ???)

Death Note: Volumes 8 & 9 Hunting Price: $5 each (Amazon 10.99 each)

VIDEOGAMES

Rurouni Kenshin: Enjou! Kyoto Rinne Hunting Price: $20 (Amazon Price $30)

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan Saisen Hunting Price $30 (Amazon $60)

  

MODEL KITS:

One Piece Thousand Sunny 280 mm plastic model kit Hunting Price: $50 (Amazon Price $80)

FIGURES:

Rurouni Kenshin Revoltech Super Poseable Action Figure #109 Himura Kenshin Hunting Price $25 (Amazon: $35).

1/12 Scale PHANTASY STAR ONLINE Blue Burst RA Caseal Eleanor Ver. or *Shino Ver.* Hunting Price $30 (Amazon $50)

OTHERS:

A perfect Sakabato. Reverse Blade, proper colors (Dark blue sheath with yellow bands.). Hunting Price: $50