AWA 2010!
So, as promised/threatened, I have some pics from AWA 2010 and stuff I got, because I have to share my spoils of war. (g) I had a blast as usual at AWA. My one complaint is the timing of signing sessions versus panels - I missed stuff solely because I wanted to get the person who was speaking's autograph, and if I wanted to get that, the half hour in between the panel and the signing session wasn't enough time to make the line (especially Vic Mignogna's line - I missed it on Friday because I wanted to hear Michael Sinterniklaas, who then supposedly misread the schedule and didn't realize that was when his panel was (facepalms), which then partially led to the running gag of people making Lisa Ortiz cry during her panel, which was next; missed it on Saturday because it cut off while I was in line for Lisa and Michael and while Travis Willingham, who was before Vic at that table, as still signing; and only got it on Sunday because I got there an hour before the session, and barely made the line). That was brought up during closing ceremonies, so hopefully that will get worked on for next year.
Pluses, though, were actually finally getting to see Yaoi After Dark thanks to it being relocated to a different room (although I was surprised that there really wasn't much actual yaoi shown, plus it was the last year for it - next year, new management will run the yaoi panel), actually having one vendor sell a variety of toku merchandise (or where most of my small shopping budget was spent), hitting the SuperHappyFunSell and finding neat stuff at great bargains, and giving blood. I've always wanted to do that, but never made any drives until LifeSouth had one at AWA, which did so well for them that they will definitely be back next year and actually seemed to lead to them running out of forms on Saturday. Also, I got a man card at the Manime panel, where we learned The Twelve Laws of True Man (warning: if you're female, do not read if you're easily offended by stereotypical misogyny - however, if you've a fan of stuff like Fist of the North Star and Golgo 13, you should be fine (g)) and learned Manly Math like (Bruce Lee + Mad Max) * Jesus = Kenshiro from FotNS. Considering his head-exploding abilities ("You are already dead."), this works for me, even if it is sacrilegious to Christians. (thumbs up) So, now I can show Rick what I revoked from him. (g)
So, I have pics, courtesy of my sister's camera, as I forgot to buy new batteries for my piece of crap. This may be good, as hers actually takes decent pics:
The guest of honor was Shinji Aramaki (shown with industry guest and his acting translator Jonathan Tarbox in that one photo - side note: I did recycle cosplay from previous years, so in most pics I'm in my Shoutarou from W one, although the Mabudachi Trio did roam AWA again, and U-Ryoutarou made a triumphant return after having his belt and blue hair go missing in the hotel last year (side note x 2: green fake hair is a pain to hair-spray to turn it blue)). If you're an otaku who doesn't know his name, click on the link - you'll know his work. I think he was genuinely surprised to see people want to hear him speak and get his autograph, and we were thrilled to have him join us for his first time in America. Also, he showed the trailer for the CG Captain Harlock that he's directing. One word: AWESOME. Holy crap, it looks seriously amazing.
Yes, Vic was yet again there. I think he's just perma-invited at this point. (g) I am way too amused by his SF fandom: last year he told us of his participation in Star Trek fan films, and this year he rerecorded a scene from The Empire Strikes Back to strip out Yoda's voice so that he could do a live dub and show off his Yoda impression (which is good). He did have a new CD for us...
His new CD is a remix CD - a dance remix, no less. Sorry that both pics I tried to take of the track list came out blurry (the same for any autographs), because the track list needs to be shared, for the three anime-related tracks that he does. He covers the D.N.Angel theme, Tamaki's image song from Ouran High School Host Club, and the English version of Brothers. Yes, he does a DANCE REMIX of BROTHERS. I've heard it, and I'm still trying to wrap my head around this.
OK, since there are people who are Miniskirts and Rangers, I'm just going to have to join the former as well, because... well, it is Travis. (g)
Sadly, by the time I was able to get Laura Bailey's autograph, because she and Travis had to fly out, she wasn't allowed to take pics with people. So, the best I have is from when K'Lani and I were praying that they reopened hers and Travis's line on Sunday of both of them (I had made Travis's line on Saturday, but not Laura's, as I was either in the toku marathon or in Shinji Aramaki's line - ironically, K'Lani had just needed Travis's sig by then as she did make Laura's line on Saturday). Luckily for us, they let 20 more people in, and we were at the front of the line. Luckily for me, I waited one more moment, as I was about to leave before that happened. I never did get to hear either of them, sadly, because of being in lines or in the toku marathon. :^(
Here's Lisa and Michael. If you don't know why he signed it with "Go, Team Venture!", he is the voice of Dean Venture besides doing anime dubs. Sadly, I never got to hear him either - his only other panel was on Sunday, when I was in lines. I would sigh, but that was more due to his mistake than the scheduling. (shrugs) We did have fun while waiting in vain for his panel on Friday, with program reading, audience recommendations, and disco lights.
I did get pics of a few cosplayers:
BEST COSTUME I SAW. I don't want to know how long it took him to make a puppet!Sasori from Naruto costume, but it was perfect. Amazing.
Most amusing cheap concept: the TARDIS from Doctor Who.
Most amusing not-cheap concept: dead!Maes Hughes from Fullmetal Alchemist. If you've ever read the manga, you've seen the In Memoriam bits at the end of each volume. Great tribute.
Toku cosplay! I love that we actually had a female ShinkenRed. I also love that the Shoutarou love is still there - including me, there were evidently four of us on Saturday rocking the look, as well as a Philip that day (although I missed artikgato as Akiko the day before, since Aliya requested doing Furuba on the day that would be most comfortable for her because of the heaviness of Ayame's robes). Decade also got some love, with his look from All Riders v. Dai-Shocker. I missed seeing Kabuto and Gatack (in the full suits) - I saw a pic of them, but never managed to actually see them (checking artikgato, she got pics of them, and their cosplay was amazing). :^(
Now for the swag:
I got DX figures! (does the happy expensive soft vinyl figure dance, although the prices were fine, having seen how much they normally go for) I also got a nice big soft vinyl Amazon, who is still in his packaging next to Mebius-chan (who you can see in the pics, finally). I love that I finally have an Ultraseven who doesn't have two of the same arm. (g) I have the boxes for Decade, Agito, and Ultraseven hanging off door knobs in my room. Because of the size of the packaging, the vendor decided to give me a box to carry them in:
This is being kept a) because it is a Bleach merchandising box and b) because I own a cat, and a new box for her is my apology for leaving her for a weekend. It is now her favorite sleeping place.
The SuperHappyFunSell let me get two Saiyuki shijitaki/pencilboards for cheap. The first two pics are from the same board - each side had different artwork. I couldn't remember if I had ever taken pics of the Yu Yu Hakusho and Ranma 1/2 autographed ones I had bought before, so I figured I would take pics of those as well.
When you are born the same year as anime classic Space Battleship Yamato (better known in the US as Star Blazers)... buying models from Yamato is a no-brainer. The main one actually needs a little fixing before it also goes in front of my TV, on top of my VCR. Still, for $2...
OK, so I've said before that I'm a lot like Ibu Shinji from Tenipuri at times, so now I have a tiny plushie of him. Even better, though... I HAVE A SHOCKER PLUSHIE! I didn't know they made one! I think the person who was selling it was surprised that anyone knew what it was - I'm not sure she even did. It is one - I do know how Kamen Rider is written in kanji/kana. (g) So, I need a name for my little minion - any ideas?