Otakon '09

[Tsukuyomi]

Sadly...I've already failed at this...darn camera battery dying...

Awww, and I really wanted to see Ryan and Friends yessing 8(

How goes it so far, Peanut ^^?

[Peanut]

How goes it so far, Peanut ^^?

Well, of the three Otakon's I've been too, this one has been the worse so far... though that is probably my fault partially. But I'm still having fun.

[ClosetOtaku]

Sorry, guys, we hung in there as best we could, but by early afternoon Saturday the wife and I were jet-lagged toast, so we called it a convention.

Overall, not too bad, though I regret not being able to see Anime's Craziest Deaths (room filled up long before the line was exhausted).

AMVs were OK (nothing spectacular this year), NGE 1.0 was good, panels were acceptable (Madhouse Panel was really useful, lots of new stuff on the way -- including an offering from the foks who made The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, opening in a couple weeks in Japan).

Dealer's Room was standard, Artist's Alley was really packed.

Costumes were a little better than average, a lot more conservative than in most years (or is the taste in anime changing?). Got a couple pictures, although not as much worth posting this year.

Industry participation was minimal, a sure sign that Otakon is getting outclassed by Anime Expo and San Diego Comic-Con. Also that the industry is reeling from economic conditions -- overexpansion and giddy projections are terrible things -- but it doesn't seem to have affected the fan base that much. Not sure what the final attendance tally will be, but it didn't seem much less crowded than the past couple years.

In summary, not too bad, really wish we could stay longer, but we couldn't. Now both of us are up at 1 AM...

[Tsukuyomi]

Awww, you should still post them ^^ I'd love to see them ^^

[yukoxholic]

Well I didn't prereg, but I'm just going to get there early Friday morning. =)

You should do the same!

Aww, I read this too late! Sadly, I did not get to go but maybe next year! I hope everyone had an awesome time...MUST POST PICTURES!! I really hope someone got some MELL, Kanon Wakeshima, Naomi Tanmura, or Becca pics. That would totally make my day! :3

Also, in-depth con reports would be greatly appreciated. I have to live vicariously through those that got to go! XD

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I got neither concerts, but I've been told the Kanon Wakeshima concert was amazing! I wish I went to see it.

As for the crazy anime deaths panel, I was told that within 15 minutes of the panel, a staff member went in and cancelled it because it of the content, so you didn't really miss anything.

Sorry I got your PM too late, Closet. D: It would have been fun to see you again. This is what I get for deleting old contacts. I'm retaining yours for the future this time.

I am uploading tons of photos on Facebook at this moment. =)

[yukoxholic]

I got neither concerts, but I've been told the Kanon Wakeshima concert was amazing! I wish I went to see it.

As for the crazy anime deaths panel, I was told that within 15 minutes of the panel, a staff member went in and cancelled it because it of the content, so you didn't really miss anything.

Sorry I got your PM too late, Closet. D: It would have been fun to see you again. This is what I get for deleting old contacts. I'm retaining yours for the future this time.

I am uploading tons of photos on Facebook at this moment. =)

I seriously have to convert some of you CAAers over to the music side of Otakon (aka the reason why I go every year!) ^_^

Kanon Wakeshima is known for her concerts/fashion sense. I wish I could've gone to see it... ;__; I would've loved to see them all!!

They had an anime deaths panel? That is so weird... >__> Did they have a Lolita fashion show again this year?

You'll have to post a link! ^_^

[Htom Sirveaux]

The Mary McGlynn panel was great, though I regret not being able to get her autograph (the line for that was cut off when I got to it). Sat in on some Friday Night fan parodies, poked my head briefly into various other screenings and panels. Other than that, I just walked around taking pictures or sat and played my acoustic gutar for people.
The Silent Hill photoshoot went well enough, though there wasn't as much character variation as in past years.
Left Sunday morning without going back in.

All in all, a good year, even if not the best.

And boy, have a got a cosplay idea for next year. . . .

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Oh so do I. Soooo do I. XD

[Peanut]

As for the crazy anime deaths panel, I was told that within 15 minutes of the panel, a staff member went in and cancelled it because it of the content, so you didn't really miss anything.

Oh and then there was the Philosophy of Bleach panel which taught me what makes Bleach tick: Jigglypuff. Seriously, that panel was the epitome of fail. When you are managing to drive members of a incredibly popular shows fan base out of your panel on said show, you've failed miserably...

For me this con was actually the worse Otakon I've been too. I'm not saying it was bad, but compared to the last two years, it just fell short. This year could also be called the year when I spent way too much money on stuff. Or maybe I'm just noticing it more because I spent more money this summer...eh, whatever, it was worth every penny.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Yeah. I noticed there was less hanging out with people and more buying stuff, but I think that's because I had more money this year and I'm comparing it with last year, which was epic win due to Jenn, Doubleshadow, and Fish making their debut appearances. However, I got to meet and hang with new people so this year had some new things for me! In a way, I was glad to kinda go off my own, thus meeting new people.

[Fish and Chips]

I am going to have to somehow manage to hijack a plane back to Maryland for the next Otakon so that I can successfully stay Ryan and John's wallets.

[Peanut]

I am going to have to somehow manage to hijack a plane back to Maryland for the next Otakon so that I can successfully stay Ryan and John's wallets.

But Andrew, now I have a PS2...which means I may buy Persona 4 soon...

[Fish and Chips]

But Andrew, now I have a PS2...which means I may buy Persona 4 soon...

Except that you already did.

Psychic powers!

[Tsukuyomi]

AHAH!!! I thought I recognized that name (Kanon Wakashima) She sings "Still Doll" from Vampire Knight :O She is so adorable and she wears goth lolita dresses

I had to cheat and did a search in my main Itunes library >__>; The first thing I thought about was Vampire Knight when I read that name, t though D:<

[Peanut]

Except that you already did.

Psychic powers!

...they were sold out

[Htom Sirveaux]

Oh and then there was the Philosophy of Bleach panel which taught me what makes Bleach tick: Jigglypuff. Seriously, that panel was the epitome of fail. When you are managing to drive members of a incredibly popular shows fan base out of your panel on said show, you've failed miserably...

I enjoyed our brief lunchtime conversation on what "The Philosophy of Bleach" could possibly mean. Like, what would Aristotle's Zanpakutou look like and why? For that matter, who would win in a fight between Aristotle and Socrates?

[minakichan]

All I saw...

Was the Vince/Billy video that Ryan uploaded on facebook.

I so have to go to Otakon next year......

[Radical Dreamer]

All I saw...

Was the Vince/Billy video that Ryan uploaded on facebook.

I so have to go to Otakon next year......

This. XDD

[LadyRushia]

The guy who dressed as Billy Mays was lulzy.

I went to the panel about Anime and Manga in Academia, which was pretty nifty, especially since I ended up directing one lady to CAA. I didn't cosplay, but I did dress up on Saturday just by finding things in my room, XD. I also watched Baccano, Code Geass, and some really awesome AMVs. On Sunday, I came away with all of Kaleido Star, a wall scroll, a pin, and a keychain. It was pretty fun for my first con, but next year I'm cosplaying so hopefully I will have more fun, XD.

Also, it was nifty getting lunch with the CAAers who went, even though I was exhausted and didn't say much, XD.

[Nate]

There were two Billy Mays guys actually. I resisted the urge to yell out "BILLY MAYS HERE WITH ANOTHER FANTASTIC PRODUCT!" because I figured the odds of anyone there knowing about Jabo0ody Dubs was pretty small.

I actually was able to resist the urge to buy anything from the dealer's room this year, which is good since I'm currently unemployed. It's not like it was hard to resist though honestly. There was like practically NO toku stuff at all. I saw a Stronger figure, a Riderman figure, and a Kiva figure, and that was it. I'm disappointed in HLJ, they said they got a whole box of Decade figures but didn't bring them to Otakon because "we knew it wouldn't sell." Instead, they sent it to San Diego for Comic-Con because "the people there are older and have more money." :|

It's tough being a niche of a niche fandom. -.-

[Htom Sirveaux]

@Nate:
But you did get to meet my brother Kenny. The three of us staying up talking 'til 3:15 AM shall be my fondest memory of the weekend. Also, I swear at one point you and Kenny were snoring in perfect rhythm. It was pretty cool.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Nate, if I did that I would have gone "THAT BILLY MAYS IS A SPY!!!!!!"

Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRb03v1ULsc

Also take a look at this photo from Otakon 2008:



Guess who is in it. Not only is it Spoonybard/Htom, but to the right is Sheol777... BEFORE we officially met him this year.

I took a photo of you two and we didn't even know it was you, Sheol! Haha!

[Sheol777]

Yo kids wassup?!
I had a blast at Otakon, it was great meeting all you guys. (for the second time? @Mr. Smartypants)

I visited many panels. I was at the 'Anime's Craziest Deaths' panel (by Daryl Sarat of AWO)...um, I think he deserved to get shut down. He should have applied for the 18+ tag, he said he would next year for it.

I went to the 'Philosophy of Bleach' panel. I have never watched Bleach but was more interested in the philosophy part. From the 5 minutes I stayed I am going to assume that the 'Philosophy of Bleach' is whomever yells the loudest has the best point. I left and found a hidden suprise in the 'Disorgization XIII's Spoiler: The Panel: The Sequel: The Panel'. This was the best panel/show at the con. They gave rundowns of anime and pop culture chock full of internet memes and visuals. It was well rehearsed and well executed.

So yeah, if there was an anime panel...more then likely I was at it. I also took over a hundred cosplay pics.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Here's a photo album with general otakon photos here

http://img12.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=img0001vzg.jpg

[Nate]

But you did get to meet my brother Kenny. The three of us staying up talking 'til 3:15 AM shall be my fondest memory of the weekend. Also, I swear at one point you and Kenny were snoring in perfect rhythm. It was pretty cool.

Yeah, that night was totally awesome. And that sounds pretty cool, though inconvenient for anyone who had to hear it. XD;;

Oh, and so everyone knows, the Philosophy of Bleach panel was a trolling. Some people told the staff about it, and so the staff came in and shut it down early, and said that since they have the guys' names that it won't happen again from these guys.

Anyway, I should take my film to be developed today. I wonder if any of my pictures were worth anything. XP

[Fish and Chips]

Anyway, I should take my film to be developed today. I wonder if any of my pictures were worth anything. XP

Unless this world, too, refuses to let you capture it.

[Htom Sirveaux]

I've composed an album on Photobucket of some of my favorite pics. Dig it.
http://s279.photobucket.com/albums/kk134/RosBef/otakon%202009/?albumview=slideshow

[Doubleshadow]

Guess who is in it. Not only is it Spoonybard/Htom, but to the right is Sheol777... BEFORE we officially met him this year.

I took a photo of you two and we didn't even know it was you, Sheol! Haha!

Dang, another one I missed. XD

[Mr. SmartyPants]

[quote="Nate (post: 1330427)"]Yeah, that night was totally awesome. And that sounds pretty cool, though inconvenient for anyone who had to hear it. XD]
Yeah I figured it was a trolling. Even so, it was annoying. XD