San Jose, CA — The weather in San Jose seemed to clear up Friday, just in time for day one of Fanime 2010. The crowds filled the convention center in the early morning, creating large lines for registration and badge pick up as the streets were brightly packed with Cosplayers.

One of the greatest aspects of Fanime is its location. The sunny city of San Jose, and specifically its downtown area, creates a great atmosphere for the geek culture that thrives at this anime convention. With a bevy of great local restaurants that offer inexpensive and delicious food to a nearby movie theater and ample amounts of parking, you couldn’t ask for more in a convention setting. Well, there is one more thing you could ask for, and it’s the most important part! Downtown San Jose has bountiful amounts of amazing locations for Cosplay photo shoots. From the beautiful architecture around the convention center to the lovely park across the street, you’ll find Cosplayers and photographers abound, making beautiful art that will soon grace the internet, magazines, and this very website.

As Friday started into full swing people could be found just about all over a several block radius from the convention center in Cosplay, taking over downtown San Jose. With conversations being held on topics from the newest chapter of Naruto to the recent memes of 4chan, you could tell Fanime was here. The video game room was filled with consoles and gamers alike, keeping an upbeat atmosphere in the large room they were located in. The dealer’s hall saw incredible amounts of transactions almost immediately upon opening, with costumes, wigs, and action figures that aren’t found in your average anime shop flying off the shelves. Even the artist alley, which is in a room equal in size to the dealer’s hall, was a lively place to shop and converse about your favorite anime characters. However, if you were to spend your time in just one place, hoping to see it all, then you’d want the grand lobby and entrance to the San Jose Convention Center. With its lovely outdoor fountain and the Stage Zero big screen just inside, there was no end to the entertainment. All the great Cosplayers took their time to pass through this area, showing up for gatherings and discussing techniques with their like minded con-goers. Of course, if people watching and costume admiring aren’t your thing, Stage-Zero kept rolling out hilarious and upbeat MCs to entertain all within ear-shot. In just under 100 square yards there was enough to amuse anyone for the entire length of the convention. Of course, there was obviously still much more going on throughout the hotels, streets, and convention center of Fanime 2010.

A day in Rehab was just what the doctor ordered! Because Otaku•Rehab was held a ways out in Thousand Oaks, the crowd was smaller, but the gathering was much more intimate. Co-Event Coordinators, Bert Le and Nick Kurachi, put on a more homey, summer camp-tinged gathering. The day was filled with events I haven’t seen at any gathering in recent memory. The handful of events were spaced casually throughout the afternoon, leaving plenty of time to socialize with friends, chow down on gourmet cooking and explore all that Borchard Park had to offer.

There was an abundance of tasty delights provided by Bert, Otaku•Rehab’s master cook. And while the food wouldn’t be found on a menu in any anime I’ve seen, it was a delicious addition to the con experience. Bert provided steak and chicken tacos early in the day smothered with his Brazilian Chimmichuri sauce. Dinner was a simple, but wonderfully tasty spaghetti, the flavor of which Bert attributed to cooking in the same cast-iron skillet as the taco meats. With everyone rushing back to the chef each time more food was put out, the plates quickly ran out and hungry Cosplayers ended up eating out of plastic cups. Few if any complaints were lodged, however!

The food wasn’t the only draw though, the summer-camp like mini-events scattered throughout the day were all a different feel than your typical Cosplay gathering events. The first event of the day was, of all things, a hot dog eating contest. Contestants were given 5 minutes to down as many dogs as possible. The winner, Kenneth Juarez, pounded down a grand total of 9 hot dogs, with buns, to be crowned champion! He walked away with a selection of manga donated by the Pacific Media Expo.

Away from the hot dog eating, Nick taught a brave troupe of Cosplayers the art of slacklining. The slackline itself is a wide, thin, mesh-like rope anchored at both ends to provide enough tension to hold a person’s weight. The line was anchored to two trees 20 feet apart and hovered a few feet above the ground. Those daring enough to attempt crossing it were surprised by the rope’s propensity for stretching and bouncing under their feet. No one was injured during training, though only a few managed to make it across.

The crowd broke afterward and spread about the park to enjoy the afternoon sun and cool breezes. Cosplay photographers were in full force shooting in every available nook and cranny. No stone was left unturned and no willing Cosplayer was turned away. There were several excellent costumes to be seen, including Anya Alstreim (Code Geass R2), Ariel (Little Mermaid), Yuffie Kisaragi (Kingdom Hearts) and not one, but two variations of Grell Sutcliffe (Black Butler)!

As the sun began to drift slowly toward the western horizon, the day grew quite cold and most attendees moved indoors. A raffle was held inside with several great prizes that included a “Cosplay In America” book, a Canon Pixma Printer and a one year subscription to World of Warcraft took place before the hosts wrapped up most of the outdoor activity and the dance began. The music was loud and could be heard well into the park. DJ Hellsing spun some homemade mixes that ran the gamut from electronic to 80s hits.

Otaku•Rehab was definitely a change in feel and execution for a gathering. And for a first year, it was well planned. Attendance was low, but that was to be expected considering the distance and the newness of the entire event. Definitely a thumbs up for what was presented though and Con Yearbook looks forward to covering year 2 in Rehab in 2011!

Fullerton, CA — It was a perfect spring day outside, complete with blue skies, comfortable temperatures, and a gentle breeze that smelled of all things fresh and naturey. So not only was it a perfect day to be out, but a perfect day to attend the 2010 SoCal Cosplay Gathering! Craig Regional Park in Fullerton was the destination to be for over 500 Cosplayers, photographers, and those who just wanted to have a bit of fun. The park was insanely crowded, with parking virtually non-existent, but there was color and laughter to be found everywhere.

The vast majority attending were dressed to the nines. Though there’s no rule against street clothes, attending the gathering costumeless is definitely not recommended (photographers excepted, of course)! Even a simple panda hat or cat ears would have made one feel part of the crowd. Despite the warm weather, there were several truly extravagant costumes, full-body, head-to-toe cover-ups that looked nightmarishly hot from a distance. Most of the crowd kept their costumes simpler. The popular faves – Naruto, Hetalia, Kingdom Hearts and multiple versions of Final Fantasy – were represented. Two different Pokemon groups competed to “catch em all.” Metal Gear Solid, Mortal Kombat, Half-Life 2, Pixar’s Up and a fair number of original costumes put in an appearance, as well.

The park’s main shelter was a bustle with activity throughout the afternoon and into the evening. The sounds of Rock Band was a constant, unmistakable buzz except during official events – the costume contest and Iron Cosplay. A barbecue pit was a cornucopia of tasty burgers and hot dogs. Pink Lemonade, provided by Anime Los Angeles’ Chaz, kept everyone hydrated. There were even a few pets at the event, a beautiful husky puppy and an adorable, 6-week old kitten, though neither bothered to don a costume. There was certainly something for everyone to enjoy, and it seemed like everyone did.

The first official event of the gathering was the costume contest. There were a fair number of entries, all of them first-rate, but only the best could take home the prize. The best in this case was Russell from Pixar’s Up!, but Mortal Kombat’s Scorpion came in a close second. Of course, even the runner up in third had an amazing Doctor Horrible Cosplay. Yet a much rowdier competition came next in the form of Iron Cosplay. Hosted by local Cosplayer, Maguma, the competitors were broken down into two random groups. Each group was given bundles featuring the same Cosplay elements (various colored cloth and cardboard) and were told to put together their best effort at a new themed Cosplay outfit. The first costume theme announced was Mecha. Each team had 3 minutes to come up with the most outstanding representation they could muster. Team B broke away with an early win, but eventually lost to Team A who won the follow up costume themes – Ninja and Magical Girl. All contestants received perfectly themed gift cards to Joann’s Fabrics, whether they reveled in the thrill of victory or not.

Away from the roar of the Cosplay crowd, the park’s beautiful trees provided provided shade and photo opportunities. At any one time, many a Cosplayer could be found posing for the mass of roaming photographers. Five photographers from the Con Yearbook team were among them, snapping away, collecting some of the most well-designed, intriguing, and just plain fun Cosplays for the publication. Look forward to enjoying these great shots in the 2010-2011 edition of Con Yearbook!

As the sun slowly dipped toward the western horizon, the crowd began to thin and photographers with ever fewer lighting options packed their bags. Costumes were swapped with day clothes, talk turned from anime and costuming to where to go for dinner. As always around the close of these events, many hugs and goodbyes were exchanged with the promises of seeing each other at the next conventions or gatherings. Another year, another gathering and for the 2010 SoCal Cosplay Gathering it was all said and done, but the memories will linger and the photos last forever.

Yes, its true.  I’m now part of the terrorist organization staff which is Con Yearbook.  They have an amazing group of cosplay photographers, writers and overall good people working hard to bring coverage of cal cons as the year rolls out.  I hope my contribution will help make a great con yearbook by the year 2011.

So about 13hrs of footage was shot for all 3 days of Hall H coverage.  Comic con has shown some pretty mind blowing film footage this year.  The biggest surprise was kick-ass, but unfortunately I tried to go to a district 9 screening thus missing out on the biggest surprise panel of this year.  Some key moments of H hall this year has to be the emotional moments of “Where the Wild Things Are,” the star filled cast of “Iron Man 2,” and oddly some random fan jumping onto the stage of James Cameron/Peter Jacksons Directors Panel.  All and all its been a very eventful comic con, h0ope everyone likes it.  And again, no replicating the footage and/or putting it on youtube.

Thanks,

Just to let you guys know, I do not want this or any of my videos to be replicated and/or to be put on youtube.  I saw it done last year and ask you to not do so.  Your more than welcome to link people to the site and I’ll try to have a low res version up by tomorrow.

Thanks

Nation’s Largest Anime and Manga Convention Brings New Programming to the
Westin Bonaventure Hotel

Anaheim, California (June 10, 2009) ‹ Anime Expo® 2009 is proud to announce
its latest programming additions the AX AFTER DARK program that will be
hosted at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and the 24 Hour Shuttle Service
Program that will also be held during the nations largest anime and manga
convention held July 2-5, 2009 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. More
information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org
<http://www.anime-expo.org> .

AX AFTER DARK program encompass activities that are open to all attendees
that will be held for their convenience at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel
starting as early as 6:00 pm every evening.  Activities, locations and start
times (subject to change) include:

·      Tabletop Game Room-Pasadena Foyer; start time: midnight
·      Dance-Catalina Ballroom; start time: 6:00 pm
·      Karaoke-Hollywood Ballroom; start time: midnight
·      Anime Video Room-San Jose Room; start time: 9:00 pm

In addition, Anime Expo® 2009 announces the 24 Hour Shuttle Service Program,
which consists of three (3) routes.  Each route and Boarding Locations for
Hotel Room Block Attendees (and those that purchase shuttle passes-$20/each
available at Guest Services in the Registration Hall-Los Angeles Convention
Center) include:

·      Route 1: For residents of the Los Angeles Marriott/Westin Bonaventure
Hotels; Boarding Locations: Westin Bonaventure and curbside on Figueroa

·      Route 2: For residents of the Wilshire Grand/Sheraton/Los Angeles
Athletic Club; Boarding Locations: Curbside on 7th Street, Curbside on Hope
and at the Sheraton

·      Route 3: For residents of the Hilton Checkers Hotel/Millennium
Biltmore/Kawada Hotel Los Angeles/Omni Hotel Los Angeles; Boarding
Locations: At Millennium Biltmore, Curbside on Grand Ave., Curbside on 2nd
at Hill Street and Curbside on Olive (& 3rd)

Due to the close walking proximity, shuttle service will not be provided to
the Holiday Inn City Center or the Figueroa Hotel between the hours of 7:00
am to 2:00 am.  More information can be found online at
www.anime-expo.org/general-information/transportation/shuttle-service/.