Hello!
Yesterday for me, personally, was full of unexpected surprises. But out of all that happened, one moment stood out than more than anything since I left Katsucon over the weekend.
I had the amazing opportunity to me Chris C. for an interview for this documentary project. While all of the interview so far have been pretty awesome, getting to know a bit more about each person's appreciation for this cultural industry, Chris turned out to be an amazing wealth of information. Mentioning things from back in the olden days where VHS tape trading was the only equivalent to the massive file sharing business that we enjoy now and looking at how many companies have been involved in bringing us anime and manga over the years.
But one of the most interesting things that we talked about wasn't just the US side of the anime industry, but the global industry starting with Japan. Taking a look at the majorly popular series over the years and how each generation identifies themselves with a particular series or character. Looking back how there are those groups of people that can connect themselves to the Fist of the North Star era or the Dragonball Z era. Even moving on to now with the Naruto and Bleach era, we've all had that hero to identify with.
Personally for me, I'd have to say that I connected most with Inu Yasha, FLCL, and Cowboy Bebop the most and that's that generation that I'm a part of. Which leads to the question I have for you guy (and girls XD) out there:
Who's the hero of your generation? Who sat on the pedestal when you stumbled into the world of Japanese animation?
Until next time
Kasome~
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Kasucon 18: In Review
Hello everyone!
Its only been a little over a day since the ending of this year's Katsucon. Normally, that post-convention depression would be kicking the hell out of me, but it seems to be setting in slower than I'm normally used to. Don't get me wrong, it sucks that the convention is over, but this year I was able to take so much more away than I normally get from any convention.
My mind was completely blown the more that I talked to people about their love of anime and why they made these epic journeys to anime conventions like this one. Meeting those casual fans that still find time to binge on anime and manga to get that occasional fix, all across the board to those die-hard fans that have started working on their next cosplay idea before even unpacking their bags from the weekend. The conversations that I was able to have with you guys not only help with getting info for this entire project, but it also makes me appreciate what I am a part of, what all of us make up.
Blah, blah, blah, I'm ranting again so it's time for me to cut to the point and leave the rest for a later video post. In my everyday adventure, most people I run into aren't to open or excited to show that they are a fan of anime, manga, or even other aspects of Japanese culture. But when it comes to a convention, even the most reserved person still has some open and public way of showing off what it is that they love.
I know about my own reason, but I want to hear about YOURS. What is it that draws that feeling out of you at conventions like these?
I'll post a video update later, but I really wanna hear your thoughts and opinions on this little subject as well as this convention in general. Leave a comment or feel free to send me a message.
Until next time
Kasome~
Its only been a little over a day since the ending of this year's Katsucon. Normally, that post-convention depression would be kicking the hell out of me, but it seems to be setting in slower than I'm normally used to. Don't get me wrong, it sucks that the convention is over, but this year I was able to take so much more away than I normally get from any convention.
My mind was completely blown the more that I talked to people about their love of anime and why they made these epic journeys to anime conventions like this one. Meeting those casual fans that still find time to binge on anime and manga to get that occasional fix, all across the board to those die-hard fans that have started working on their next cosplay idea before even unpacking their bags from the weekend. The conversations that I was able to have with you guys not only help with getting info for this entire project, but it also makes me appreciate what I am a part of, what all of us make up.
Blah, blah, blah, I'm ranting again so it's time for me to cut to the point and leave the rest for a later video post. In my everyday adventure, most people I run into aren't to open or excited to show that they are a fan of anime, manga, or even other aspects of Japanese culture. But when it comes to a convention, even the most reserved person still has some open and public way of showing off what it is that they love.
I know about my own reason, but I want to hear about YOURS. What is it that draws that feeling out of you at conventions like these?
I'll post a video update later, but I really wanna hear your thoughts and opinions on this little subject as well as this convention in general. Leave a comment or feel free to send me a message.
Until next time
Kasome~
Friday, February 17, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
A Good First Convention
A question that I run into every once in a while that I sometimes find hard to answer.
Hard to answer not because I don't know much about anime conventions, but due to the fact that I can be so very biased. Everyone that has ever been to an anime convention has a story to tell (some more interesting than other XD). Whether it's a good or bad experience can change how you view that particular convention forever. I personally have seen awesome times and very from pleasant times at anime convention, but all in all, I have to say that in their own ways, they were still really enjoyable. Except for... well, fuck Tigercon is all I have to say.
But moving on, back on subject: What makes a good convention for a first timer?
Personally, I would say it takes a nice balance of everything. Some conventions focus on a particular aspect of culture a bit too much for some people. While those cons are great for people who may be into cosplay, voice actors, or even something as specific as furries (yes, they have their own con -__-), having a concentration on something like that can turn someone away from the general them of "Anime Conventions" for good. Starting out on a nice and level playing field helps you find out what really draws in to these events. Being somewhere with a bunch of people screaming like little fangirls about their favorite English voice actor would probably annoy the hell out of someone who appreciates the original Japanese voice actor and the original translation.
But enough of my ranting, I can always do that later where everyone can avoid my massive wall-o-text posts. I'm doing this documentary for YOU and I want to hear how you feel about the subject. Please leave a comment or even feel free to send me an e-mail. This thing is linked to my account, so I'm pretty sure that that info's posted somewhere around here.
So, until next time
Kasome~
Hard to answer not because I don't know much about anime conventions, but due to the fact that I can be so very biased. Everyone that has ever been to an anime convention has a story to tell (some more interesting than other XD). Whether it's a good or bad experience can change how you view that particular convention forever. I personally have seen awesome times and very from pleasant times at anime convention, but all in all, I have to say that in their own ways, they were still really enjoyable. Except for... well, fuck Tigercon is all I have to say.
But moving on, back on subject: What makes a good convention for a first timer?
Personally, I would say it takes a nice balance of everything. Some conventions focus on a particular aspect of culture a bit too much for some people. While those cons are great for people who may be into cosplay, voice actors, or even something as specific as furries (yes, they have their own con -__-), having a concentration on something like that can turn someone away from the general them of "Anime Conventions" for good. Starting out on a nice and level playing field helps you find out what really draws in to these events. Being somewhere with a bunch of people screaming like little fangirls about their favorite English voice actor would probably annoy the hell out of someone who appreciates the original Japanese voice actor and the original translation.
But enough of my ranting, I can always do that later where everyone can avoid my massive wall-o-text posts. I'm doing this documentary for YOU and I want to hear how you feel about the subject. Please leave a comment or even feel free to send me an e-mail. This thing is linked to my account, so I'm pretty sure that that info's posted somewhere around here.
So, until next time
Kasome~
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Pre-Con Anticipation?
Why hello out there!
I know that most of you feel the same way right before an anime convention comes up. Some people start counting each day even weeks before the actual week of whatever convention is coming up. Just a few days from now myself and hopefully all of my readers so far XD) will be headed out to Oxen Hill, MD to attend Katsucon 18, one of the larger anime conventions here on the East coast.
Now here's where I have mixed feeling that you may hate me for. I feel as though cons are losing the appeal that they once had, and this con is one of them. I've been going to Katsucon since number 12 back in 2006. New comers would never notice it, but the convention is much different now than it was back then (other than just the location). More voice actors and cosplayers are nice and all, but whatever happened to the good panels where people would have discussions on different genres or talking about Japanese and American culture and it's relation to anime and manga? I'm not saying that Katsucon (or any of the other major conventions in this area) is bad, but it's not the same at what it used to be. I know there are others out there who feel the same and it's pulled them not only away from anime conventions, but also from anime and mange as a whole.
But there is still hope! I'm glad to look at the guest list this year and see that they're bringing back people that relate back to the Japanese side of the entire culture. Studio Kojokan is definitely going to be on my list of things to check out, seeing as how Japanese martial arts is a subject that I've always wanted to look more into. I also wanna take a look at the "This is Otakudom" panel since it sounds like the info I'll need for the rest of this actual documentary.
But anyway, it looks as though I've done a lot more ranting that thought I did so let me end things here before it gets anymore off track.
Oh yeah! I love getting e-mails telling me that someone out there has left a comment glad to know that someone's actually reading out there XD), so feel free to leave something behind. This project would mean nothing if you guys aren't around.
Until next time,
Kasome~
I know that most of you feel the same way right before an anime convention comes up. Some people start counting each day even weeks before the actual week of whatever convention is coming up. Just a few days from now myself and hopefully all of my readers so far XD) will be headed out to Oxen Hill, MD to attend Katsucon 18, one of the larger anime conventions here on the East coast.
Now here's where I have mixed feeling that you may hate me for. I feel as though cons are losing the appeal that they once had, and this con is one of them. I've been going to Katsucon since number 12 back in 2006. New comers would never notice it, but the convention is much different now than it was back then (other than just the location). More voice actors and cosplayers are nice and all, but whatever happened to the good panels where people would have discussions on different genres or talking about Japanese and American culture and it's relation to anime and manga? I'm not saying that Katsucon (or any of the other major conventions in this area) is bad, but it's not the same at what it used to be. I know there are others out there who feel the same and it's pulled them not only away from anime conventions, but also from anime and mange as a whole.
But there is still hope! I'm glad to look at the guest list this year and see that they're bringing back people that relate back to the Japanese side of the entire culture. Studio Kojokan is definitely going to be on my list of things to check out, seeing as how Japanese martial arts is a subject that I've always wanted to look more into. I also wanna take a look at the "This is Otakudom" panel since it sounds like the info I'll need for the rest of this actual documentary.
But anyway, it looks as though I've done a lot more ranting that thought I did so let me end things here before it gets anymore off track.
Oh yeah! I love getting e-mails telling me that someone out there has left a comment glad to know that someone's actually reading out there XD), so feel free to leave something behind. This project would mean nothing if you guys aren't around.
Until next time,
Kasome~
Friday, February 10, 2012
First Post
Here we go!
No matter what it is that you do, you have to start somewhere.
Hopefully this is the start of something great, but at the very least, I know that it will be very meaningful to me. Otaku America is what I want to show as my tribute to Anime and Japanese culture, for I believe that I must show my respect and appreciation for something that has given me so much inspiration throughout my life.
Part of this entire project is to show the rest of the world that feels as I do (my fellow Otaku), that we are more than just casual fans or nerds that love different pieces of Japanese culture. We are the fan base, we are the ones that created this industry through our desire to find more, and that it is ultimately up to us to ensure that which we love continues on and grows on into the future.
I don't want to start this entire project ranting on and on about how much of a nerd I am, so I'll let you keep reading to find out more. But this much I'll say.
No matter what it is that you do, you have to start somewhere.
Hopefully this is the start of something great, but at the very least, I know that it will be very meaningful to me. Otaku America is what I want to show as my tribute to Anime and Japanese culture, for I believe that I must show my respect and appreciation for something that has given me so much inspiration throughout my life.
Part of this entire project is to show the rest of the world that feels as I do (my fellow Otaku), that we are more than just casual fans or nerds that love different pieces of Japanese culture. We are the fan base, we are the ones that created this industry through our desire to find more, and that it is ultimately up to us to ensure that which we love continues on and grows on into the future.
I don't want to start this entire project ranting on and on about how much of a nerd I am, so I'll let you keep reading to find out more. But this much I'll say.
We need to step it up
Until next time
Kasome~
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