Ahoy, I'm Peter Tatara. In brief, I'm left-handed, a vegetarian, and my blood type is A. I work for the New York Comic Con and New York Anime Festival and have a cute girlfriend and a Space: Above & Beyond boxset. I'm generally a happy guy.

Cosplay in the News

NYAF’s come and gone, although I’m still not entirely caught up. I’m not the only one, though, as news from the show is still coming out, and I’ve got two recent blips for you to digest this morning. Both the New York Times and Financial Times have some strong stories on cosplay at the con. Take a look at…

Financial Times

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/8e492fe6-aee2-11de-96d7-00144feabdc0.html

New York Times

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2009/10/03/style/1247464976097/on-the-street-animated.html?emc=eta1

Thanks to Ali T. Kokmen and Petrina Cheng for the tips!

The Real Soul Eater!

Our friends at FUNimation are getting ready for NYAF...

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Check out the first three episodes of Soul Eater with the whole US main cast on Saturday at the New York Anime Festival!

NYAF’s Got Game(s)!

NYAF's got anime. That's a safe bet. But did you know NYAF is also a gaming hot spot this year with the World Cyber Games National Final going on at the show? There'll be tournaments and free play with games including Counter-Strike 1.6, StarCraft: Brood War, Warcraft III, FIFA Soccer 09, Carom3D, Gears of War 2, Guitar Hero World Tour, Virtua Fighter 5, Asphalt 4: Elite Racing, and Wise Star 2 -- and the best gamers at the con will win a spot on WCG Team USA and a trip to China for the International Final!

Baby, The Stars Shine Bright Boutique Update!

NYAF's got a lot of highlights for a lot of different fans. One of the biggest draws for girls in 08 was our Baby, The Stars Shine Bright boutique, and I'm proud to say it's back again in 2009. Together with Kinokuniya, we're offering a -- greater -- selection of BTSSB apparel and accessories directly from Japan!

Here's an update directly from Kinokuniya, previewing what's in the boutique this year...

Lots of JSK's and a few one pieces. Most numerous one piece is the Snow Dot [133•308], which there a few each in white, pink, cherry, lemon, mint, sky blue, and black! There also a few of the Ribbon Scallop JSK's, 2 black mediums [133•232], and in large [133•233], pink, lavender, brown, black & white, and black. There *are* a few ALICE JSK's and OP's... such as the Stained Glass Angel OP [105P315] and the Opera Mille Feuille [sp?] Op [105P314].

No shoes this time, but lots of socks (both BABY and ALICE), such as the Princess Drop Embroidered School-high socks, the Sparkling BABY logo over-knee socks, the Ribbon and Lace high socks, Sweet Flower high socks, and the ALICE Starry over-knee socks. A *few* hair accessories. A few cardigans and pull-over sweaters, including the bunny-earred ones.

And last but not least... the items I am having the hardest time not drooling over... lots of Usakumya!! Full-size backpacks in black and white, smaller ones in white and pink that you can fit a water bottle in, and white and pink pen/pencil cases!!!

Finally, there will be postcards for all customers, as well as their Fall/Winter catalogs to those whose purchases total $100 or more.

The Baby Boutique is part of the Kinokuniya Booth and will be open throughout all NYAF's Exhibiton Hall hours, although most of the items will probably be gone by Friday afternoon.

Cosplay at Dave and Buster’s!

Cosplay is allowed – and encouraged – at the NYAF Pre-Party at Dave and Buster’s in Times Square! So, suit up, as we want to see ninjas, magical girls, and shinigami at Dave and Buster’s on September 24!