Welcome to the official convention gathering blog for theOtaku.com. This is a place where theOtaku.com members can read con press releases, make plans and discuss the conventions we are attending.
Current Conventions:
Sakura-Con's programming can be found here.
So, hey, the time for Anime Expo is almost upon us! Would've thrown this up a bit sooner, but I've been having a bit of trouble on my end ... nobody wants to hear about that, though, haha.
Anyway, I want to organize a decent theO meet-up for the one day I'll be attending AX -- Friday, July 3rd. There are some big things going on that day (I'll be attending the Seiji Mizushima/Yoskue Kuroda panel at noon, and I know some people who will be at the Morning Musume concert), so I think the best time for the meet-up would be after the concert: Around 4:15 or 4:30 p.m., just to give those at the concert some time to get there.
As for a meeting place, well, I think places will be packed no matter where we go, so I think a good spot will be the South Tower Lobby right in front of the Exhibit Hall entrance, maybe near the escalators. We can find each other easily enough there, and if we want to move somewhere else afterward, we can. If someone else has a better idea for a meet-up spot, however, I am all ears!
So, yeah, if you live close to the Los Angeles area, then join us! We'll hang out, shoot the breeze, make new friends -- cons are a thousand times more fun when you're sharing the experience with other people, after all.
Here is the schedule for July 3rd.
And here is a pic of yours truly so that everyone knows who to look for on the day of the convention! I will be wearing this shirt at the con. Easily recognizable!
Questions? Comments? Ideas? Random stuff? Speak now, or forever hold your peace. Hope to see a lot of people there!
A little over two weeks to go and I'm only now putting this together?!
Well, as per usual, I feel it is in our best interests that we, the Northwest (and Canadian Soutwest) theO types come together and kill some time in Seattle, Washington at Sakura-Con. Now I already know that probably this year's meet-up will be a little smaller than last year's because several people (including our beloved Gail-Panda) probably won't make it. In turn, I know this also severely hurts our usual incentive for coming to said meet-ups because Gail won't be there to shower us with mountains and mountains of free DVDs again. Still, I'll shell out and put forth maybe one or two things for some impromptu contests or something.
Also, I'll bring a video camera. It'll be fun.
So let's get this badboy rollin'! Who's going? What events can you absolutely not miss? When would be a good time for you guys to all meet together? Comment below with your thoughts on the matter.
Sakura-Con's official website can be found here.
Their program scheduling can be found here.
Punch and pie.
Only one more sleep until the con'! I'll probably already be on the road by the time everyone reads this, but just for fun if anyone's too anxious to sleep right away . . .
What are you looking forward to for this year?
Who or whose panels do you want to see? Hoping for any autographs?
Are you cosplaying as anyone this year?
Have you had any troubles getting ready for the con'?
For myself, I'm looking forward to plenty this year. Our theOtaku.com meet-up is going to be amazing, and I can't wait to take a bunch of pictures and video of everyone, as well as get a chance to record with the podcasters. I'm also excited to learn the ropes of doing press work with Gail and taking advantage of all the perks that entails. Other than that, I'm looking forward to the Masquerade Ball, the Ali Project Concert, and just getting out of town for another anime convention.
Of all the people and panels, I'm most looking forward to seeing Brina Palencia (who voiced Maho in "Beck" as well as directed the ADR recording for "School Rumble"); it will probably make my convention if she can sign my "Beck" DVD box, too! I was also hoping to go to Ocean Studio's panel, but sadly they had to cancel this time around (it's very busy over there right now, I was told).
I will most certainly be cosplaying! I'll be Sing from "Kung Fu Hustle" on day 1, Nathan Drake from "Uncharted: Drake's Fortune" on day 2, and (of course) Nagakura Shinpachi of the Shinsengumi from "Peacemaker Kurogane" on day 3.
I'll tell you all about my con troubles on Saturday - plenty to talk about, no doubt.
So how about you guys?
With that said, I wish you all a safe journey, a fun weekend, and four boxes of Pocky (I promise, four boxes should be enough). See you in Seattle!
Attendance:
Just for sake of completion, the confirmed theOtaku.com members that will be at Sakura-Con are:
As well, we have a mostly confirmed list of theOtaku.com's staff and partners:
And finally... this in no way takes into account the friends we'll all bring (who shall then be coerced into getting accounts at theOtaku.com be forever thankful that they have such wonderful friends in the first place!).
Dang, this meet is going to kick all kinds of ass...
Activities:
Aside from the general gathering, talking and photo-taking, we currently have two planned activities: a draw/lottery for free swag, and a podcast recording.
What else would you guys like to do? If there's something specific you'd like to do at the meet-up, we'd love to know!
So far Miss Anonymous - the generous soul she is - has offered to pick up some snacks and stuff for us (I'll try to help you out with that if I can!), so we can eat a bit together. As well, Shinobi ANBU has already requested a kendo lesson from the podcasters. Whether we can actually do any of this stuff or not is besides the point; we just wanna know if you guys have any ideas.
The convention's only five sleeps away! If there's anything you wanna add, now's the time to do it!
I'm very pleased to announce that the 2nd Annual theOtaku.com Sakura-Con Meet-Up is out of beta and has gone gold! If you or anyone you know is heading to the Washington State Trade and Convention Center next weekend, we cordially invite you to our gathering!
Members who come to the meet-up will get to enjoy:
Bring your friends, they too will get a crack at some free stuff! And if anyone has any questions, by all means ask them in the comments below - I promise, we're all keeping close tabs on this World.
This is going to be a ton of fun. We hope to see you all there!
