Conventions

Posted on 6th Oct 2008 at 11:22 AM

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AnimeNEXT 2007

I can't think of a better time than my first convention I've ever filmed at. I had just graduated from high school and was content on working on AMVs since I'm too good at my Advanced Music and Videography classes in school. This first convention I've ever filmed at came after breaking up with my girlfriend and obtaining my basic license. That weekend I went to AnimeNEXT 2007. I remember how excited I was being prepared with my costume and everything. All but my most important detail to my outfit, my wig. It was the Friday morning and I remembered there was a wig store down the street from my house and I was desperate. So I spent over $60 for the wig and for the lady to tease it to look just like my cosplay character Hiei from "Yu Yu Hakusho"; unfortunately the only reference I had was my key-chain. As I got to the Meadowlands Expo Center around noon, I looked around and I was astonished with the commotion and overwhelmed with so much Anime that I felt like I was in another world. Then girls shouted out "Hiei!!!" in the crowd and I waved. That was the first time in my life I was complimented by "fan girls". Then I called my friend from high school who dressed like "L" from "Death Note" and we hung out for the day. I took many pictures of cosplayers and my friend and his friends. We spent most of our time in his hotel room though. I recorded so many videos too. From when we where in the hotel room to walking out into the field from Holiday Inn. I left before the rave which I felt bad about missing. The next day, I came around the same time and while I waited for my friend, I stopped at the food court behind Holiday Inn because a small band was playing. I couldn't remember their band name but I recorded them playing "Haruka Kanata" from "Naruto". A couple hours of hanging out with my friend and his group, we then started playing "Cosball"-cosplay volleyball. My friend was having some problems about his brother's girlfriend flirting with him. He felt like he couldn't do anything because he thought he might upset his brother or hurt his girlfriend. I told him that since he is his brother, he'll understand the truth about how he feels and that it's better not to keep it from him. I left after the group went to Chili's. Days later, I just finished the video of our days at AnimeNEXT on Windows Movie Maker. I made copies for my friend. But as I see it now, that will be the last memory I'll have enjoying the very thing we had in common while in high school. I'm sure he's long forgotten about this convention, even Anime in general, and apparently he's forgotten about me as well. Maybe some day we will hang out again.

MangaNEXT 2007

This convention sparked my jump start into youtube Anime infamy. I had just finished my 1st episode of my show "Re-Anime". Putting everything I knew about Anime life-style and conventions into a tutorial for otaku who don't get the chance to experience the things I've done at conventions. I 1st piloted my episode at this particular convention on the last day, but the day before I filmed the action and routine of the cosplayers and otaku. I started taking pictures but wanted to start with material for my show. I cosplayed that day as Sasuke this time from the "Naruto Shippuden" series. So I looked for the 1st up to date Naruto and asked if we could fight. He agreed and his friend cosplaying as Shikamaru filmed the scene that I valued the entire weekend. As that was over I realized I might need some help looking for potential performers for the show. This was the moment where I met the 1st and most reliable supporting cast member in the history of my show, Tom Frain; aka "Random Hardcore Ninja Dude". A trusted friend for the NJ conventions I go to. We started off together filming my intro to the show, the sword fights, and the multiple beatings Tom received from "Bleach" fans who were later chased by the "Akatsuki". Then I participated in the "Naruto" photo shoot among many other cosplayers from the same Anime/Manga. This convention is also where I became what the otaku shouted out, "Skateboarding Sasuke". During the evening, we waited until the masquerade started. A few god acts, some Yuri with the "Gay Bar" song, Numa Numa, and Namine from "Kingdom Hearts 2" lip syncing to "Hannah Montana". The next day, I brought my laptop to pilot my 1st episode with and show off the videos from the previous day. Parents were impressed with my helpful tips and otaku pointed out I used the Hiei clip in my title opening from the classic "Cartoon Network" era. Everything was closing and so I finished up my show's footage with some skateboarding videos. I went home feeling bummed that I shouldn't have gone on a Sunday but all was well and I was ready for the 2nd episode.

New York Anime Festival 2007

My 1st convention in New York City. I was familiar with getting there since I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and month earlier and with the help of mapquest I made it to the Jacob K. Javits Center. I spotted giant banners on the windows and walked right over. I registered and was really excited. I decided to cosplay as Hiei again and I achieved much attention. I got on line for the Funimation panel with some girls who were anxious as I was to meet the new One Piece dub cast. To my satisfaction, I got to meet the voice of Yusuke Urameshi, Justin Cook. I heard him from a few feet shouting "Damn it Kuwabara!!!" and the girls were screaming. It was my turn to meet him and he gave me a pleasant greeting then asking me if I'd go all dark dragon on him. He personally told me I'm the best Hiei coplayer he's ever seen who's a guy. I laughed. The he autographed a poster and helped me promote my show by saying "You're watching 'Re-Anime'". I was proud of myself for that and I also met Colleen Clinkenbeard. I asked her if she watched the 4Kids dub of One Piece and if she can compare it to the new dub but alas she had not seen it at all. I then headed towards the stage where I spotted Voltaire singing "Brains" from "Billy and Mandy". Next I went to the Maid Cafe where I met some kids who I filmed performing or just threw paper shurikens at. Lots of girls were around, like a Kurama cosplayer(LoveAnime18). 1 girl I found could play Tank from "Cowboy Bebop" on the saxophone. There I met a counterpart trying to film a show the same way as me. I was sure my show would be better. Then I ran into the ANBU cosplayers who made their costumes from scratch. They were very cooperative with me and were planning out a scene to attack and subdue an otaku. It was 8pm and everyone went to the concert. I had no need to stay so I decided to go home. On my way out, I dropped my camera and the last footage I got was the Empire State Building lit up. My camera stopped working there. I went home but accidentally fell asleep on the bus and wound up 8-10 miles away from home. But luckily I knew where I was so my parents picked me up and went home for real.

New York Comic Con 2008

It had been a while since I've been to NY for a convention. Still I was familiar with the surroundings. It was a blazing warm day in April during an early Spring. Walking, riding the bus, and walking again, I arrived dripping in sweat. I registered and found my cousin who helped me with my show. I cosplayed again as Sasuke and joined the gang of Naruto cosplayers where I made the pose with a Naruto guy from the series' 2nd OP "Disance" and everyone took pictures. I found my good friend from my Anatomy Class in college in the Manga Library. I met some other people for my show like the Juggernaught "Bitch!", L and Light from "Death Note" who fought each other, Anko and Neji from Naruto, some Bleach fans, and Bakura from "Yu Gi Oh". There was also some commotion with the whole Avatar series that drew a bunch of cosplayers to the scene. I talked with a Sokka cosplayer asking him the question that puts the plot of Sozin's Comet into a stalemate. He bantered on about it hitting the earth's atmosphere creating friction. If you've taken astronomy, you'd realize how obviously wrong he was. Then I took some group pictures. Groups of kids sat in front of the special events hall and the strangest question someone asked me was why are people not wearing shoes. Well a lot of girls were walking around and sitting on the floor in bare feet. With Toph cosplayers I found that the only exception. I had no idea why for everyone else. Then the "Bleach" fans were beating up some dude. I decided to stay for the concert and the band playing was none other than T.M.Revolution. Everyone was cheering and screaming. We all got to be on the jumbo screens holding up signs and drawings of the band. I was on the screen twice holding up my "Re-Anime" skateboard and youtube account. The band came out and the room filled with screams. We were told not to film or photograph the concert, but yah tell that to the other 50 people with cameras in the air. I was excited hearing them play Heart of Sword from "Rurouni Kenshin". We all headed out and hung out in front of the expo center entrance. I found the same Naruto from earlier and Bakura. I filmed some parodies from the Abridged series with those cosplayers. Then I went home, without sleeping this time. then walked home.

AnimeNEXT 2008

Almost a year since I went to this convention. I prepared for months. I got up on Friday at 4am and drove at 5. I filmed and drove to the con while avoiding an accident and angry drivers. I almost got trapped on railroad tracks an I barely made it. Phew! Anyway I got there at a 1/4 to 6am and parked my car perfectly next to the expo center and cosplayed once again as Hiei. I walked around looking at the layout of the area. Although I already planned where to film when I drove there a week before the con. I got on line to get my badge but it took 2 hrs for the registration to open. While waiting, we saw Jesus playing with his remote control car drinking root beer. The staff guy yelled at him a bit and that wasn't right. But until the last minutes, I realized I got in the wrong line. I was in the pre-registration line but the guy let me cross over. Its a lot easier to get around by myself than in a group otherwise I'd have to go to the back of the regular line. Later on I got some ramen and Dunkin Donuts. Then I hung outside filming and was getting noticed by some kids. Then a girl cosplaying as Luffie from "One Piece" liked me because I was the best and only Hiei around. I introduced myself and she called herself "Shadow", though I would've suggested a more creative name than that. So I asked her if she could help me with my show and she agreed. Earlier after I got my badge, I found Kurama(LoveAnime18) from NYAF 07 and quoted Hiei from Yu Yu Hakusho Abridged. Later with the help of Shadow and my whiteboard, I got Kurama to do battle with me after I got my pathetic boom-box. With my bokken/katana, I broke Kurama's rose whip into 3 pieces. Then I pulled out a sheathed sword and revealed a "Sword of the Darkness Flame". Unsure of who won, I proclaimed we both reap the benefits. Then I mentioned the was an A.C. Moores in the area where she can get duct tape for her rose whip but she had some already. Then we left to do more. I walked around with Shadow from the Manga Library with my good friend from NY Comic Con, to the Artist's Alley. She then went to a LARPing party so I filmed s'more. I played Cosball with some kids. The concert was starting but I decided to head out early.

The next day was truly eventful. I drove over again had to park on top of the parking garage. Then I walked over to the field. I wanted to film more scenes and I was introduced to a Genkai cosplayer. I was getting great footage later then who should appear than my main man Tom aka Random Hardcore Ninja Dude. It was great getting himself involved with the tournament. But it was he who turned it into a battle royale. He lost to some big guy though. Then I had my idea to fulfill my desire to make a musical episode of "Re-Anime" and put it into motion. I met 2 girls who cosplayed from "Chobits" I think and "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya". They did the "Hare Hare Yukai" the day before so I enlisted them to lead myself and others to do the dance. I gathered about 30 cosplayers on to the field in front of Holiday Inn with the help of a Light cosplayer from "Death Note". Most of us danced correctly throughout the song, but in the beginning a Kakashi and ANBU guy did the Macarena in front of me. F--cking retards. But it was successful that they were forgotten. What was intriguing was how all the girls reacted when I called everyone to the field. Its as if they've never used an air horn before. Later I remembered I had another guest star to be in my show for a bit. We talked since NY Comic Con about meeting up. Her name is Megami33, the girl who created Sailor Moon Abridged. But at the time it was impossible to find her until I realized days later that she was in the masquerade line. So after feeling down that I didn't get a major celebrity relevant to the Anime Community of fans, I went to the food court behind Holiday Inn and played the 7th episode of "Re-Anime" on my laptop. Some people noticed the T.M.R. footage too. Then out of nowhere comes 1 of the 3 biggest Abridged series successors after LittleKuriboh. It was none other than Vegeta3986!!! I was like OMFG!!! His white t-shirt was vaguely obvious but I had to quell the rumor that he was there on Friday. He was but in cosplay. His family was standing there proud of his celebrity fame. So I recorded some voice samples of him saying "I found Clucky!" and "I like rowing!". Then I had him do the 2nd half of episode 10's disclaimer and we talked about Team Fourstar, Naruto Abridged, when's MasakoX coming to the US, and the latest on the Dragon Ball Z movie, Tree of Might Abridged; which MasakoX was finishing up on the editing. He also mentioned that he wanted to have a panel at Otakon 2008. He went off to find the video games which I told him they were in the Marriot hotel, right after I got a picture with him. Ha Ha!!! It was getting dark and the rave was about to begin. I borrowed a friend and the boom box from the 2 girls earlier and I was ready for the next musical number. I was going to lip sync the song Epiphany from "Sweeney Todd" but I needed a Mrs. Lovett. I found a girl cosplaying as Tohru Honda(SilverYouko300) from "Fruits Basket". She said she'd do it unless there was a better girl for the role and there was an actual Mrs. Lovett cosplayer in the dealer room. I asked her and she said sure. SilverYouko300 was happy enough to watch and be in the scene. It's not in the episode, and it never will be, but my wig fell of as an outtake. But I hurried and set myself up for the finally. Later I changed outfits 'cause it was so f--cking hot. I dressed as Sasuke. Then I went to the rave. The music was pounding and Greg Ayres was the MC. Plus the glow sticks were only $1. I joined the conga line and headed out. I was saying my good byes to everyone who helped. Then I walked around 1 last time. I asked a Misa cosplayer, next to Light massaging L's dirty bare feet(both girls), to take my picture. Then I left the convention, passed out, and immediately started work on episode 10.

New York Anime Festival 2008

Also close to a year, it was good to go back there again. This time I was prepared. I had to come home from my lab class on Saturday morning(don't ask), then leave for NY. I took another route by finding 34th st. and walking down it for 15 min. I did meet some strangers heading the same way so I asked one of them to film me walking once we got there. I went to the registration but as I was about to pay, the guy said "That'll be $50". I thought that was insane. The badge says $40 but since the bailout and the wall street crisis occurred that week, I wouldn't have blamed them. Anyway I went down and I noticed they changed things around. The Maid Cafe moved to the dealer room and I went to the Akihabara stage where I heard a familiar song from the man Voltaire..."Brains". Then I met up with my cousin and her group she was with. They tried on kimonos while I filmed some stuff. Soon I found a friend from youtube, Ernie from Out of Time Productions, who interviews cosplayers at cons. I met some other friends who added me on myspace like Itatchi, who's a legit urban ninja, probably better than me. There's also Misako Rocks who created the Detective Jermain Manga. I also filmed the Sleeping Samurai tournament and the NY Jedi. Before the day was out, I too cosplayed as Hiei again like last year. Then I'm looking for Megami33 since she promised to be there and I was determined to find her. I brought a mini whiteboard and it worked after realizing my underestimation from AnimeNEXT. I asked her to do the disclaimer for my show's up coming episodes and she agreed. I asked her to do it in the voices she provides for Sailor Moon Abridged. Then I went to the end of the masquerade line where I found Ernie again. I got to the end and chatted with some guys until only in a few short minutes the masquerade room reached it's maximum capacity. We were all kicked out of line. Soon we were all in front of the stage and a crowd gathered for a Yaoi make out. I found a Yusuke cosplayer from the Yaoi crowd and made him dance. Soon I walked down to the special events hall where they had the T.M.Revolution concert. There I found the girls from AnimeNEXT, the ones who helped me with the Hare Hare Yukai skit. We hung out on couches and were desperately hungry. We found a water bottle and made lemonade from lemon juice and sugar packets. Later we went to the stage and the masquerade was over. We made it outside where everyone was partying and dancing. The guy with the pink wig was leading a crowd towards 34th st. I left too but was extremely hungry for not eating for 9 hrs. So I went to McDonald's as a last resort but as soon as I reached the parking lot, I noticed the party hadn't stopped yet. The whole restaurant was filled with otaku singing to ipod speakers and the employees were panicking. I ate my chicken nuggets while singing with the crowd. Then I got a crowd to say my show's catch phrase "You're watching 'Re-Anime'!" I left so I can go home. It took me a while but I made it home on time.

Hope you enjoyed my stories.

(-)Youkuro

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