CloverCon - Aaaaaah!

Tomorrow is our 4-H clubs mini convention, CloverCon. It's our first time attempting anything like this and I hope it goes well! I'm in late-night panic mode at the moment, scrambling to get the last few things together before I pass out for the night!
Wish me luck!

Current fan art projects/ What I'm watching

I am going to (eventually) post more about AnimeNext, but for now, a more traditional update...

I'm currently working on several fan art projects.
I've got a few Yuko drawings to post, along with a water color of Sebas-chan from Black Butler that I made for a friend. (She is a major fan girl, sigh.) I'm also making my entry for twilight samurai's "Greatest Anime Character Ever," fan art challenge. I doubt many people will know the character as it's from an older shoujo title, but that's what makes me want to enter the challenge. Side characters are welcome! I'm also using photoshop to re-do a few of my early pencil sketches (from about 10 years ago now), like Sailor Galaxia, a villain in the final season of Sailor Moon. I actually started it because I was thinking of entering her in the greatest characters fan art challenge, but after much thought, I went with another option.

And honestly, if no one else draws and enters Spike, I might have to enter him myself! (I'm pretty bad at drawing adult males though.)

So what am I watching?
Deadman Wonderland is the story of a boy who witnesses the brutal murder of his entire high school class. He is arrested and quickly found guilty and sentenced to death. His sentence is to be served in a strange amusement park/prison, where prisoners have to fight for their lives in gladiator-style challenges while spectators watch for fun. The main character discovers a strange power - the ability to control and manipulate his blood as a weapon (think Inuyasha's blades of blood, but cooler), and struggles to stay alive.

Maria Watches Over Us is the story of several students at an all-girls private academy where propriety is key. Older students at the school choose one younger student to mentor by acting as an older sister. Yumi, a slightly awkward first-year student, is shocked to be chosen by one of the school's most prominent student council members, Sachiko. The story emphasizes the deepening relationships between the sisters as they learn more about each other and themselves.

Boys Be... follows the intersecting lives of several high school students as they search for love. The stories are told vignette style for the most part, but the characters overlap and reappear as the series progresses. I've found it to be a charming look at first loves, first kisses, and first heart breaks.

Azumanga Daioh is a slice of life comedy series about a group of wacky high school girls. The series is based off of the 4-panel comics (yonkoma, if you want the Japanese term) which were later bound as manga. The anime follows the same 'snap shot' comedic approach. It originally aired as 5 minutes shorts which aired Mon-Friday, and on Saturdays, the scenes were strung together as an episode. This gives the story a bouncy, light-hearted flow perfect for the goofy girls and their antics.

Darker Than Black takes place in an alternate version of Japan, where a huge mysterious disaster made some wacky things happen. Suddenly, Contractors - super powered beings - and Dolls - super powered psychic beings without souls - appear around the world. Naturally, governments start using them for the usual dubious activities portrayed in anime. The story follows one particular contractor as he encounters, well, more contractors on various contractor-related missions. I can't explain the show any better than that, as I've only just started to watch it, but I'm already hooked!

So what are you watching? Anything you'd recommend? I've heard good things about Ao no Exorcist, has anyone watched it? What about Jellyfish Princess?

AnimeNext - day 1

As I pulled into the parking lot at AnimeNext, I didn't know what to expect. Would everyone think I was weird for not cosplaying? Would I be too old to have fun?
And then something wonderful happened. Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus walked by, and I knew I was home!
Today was chaotic in the most awesome sense of the word. I started by getting a feel for the Artist's Alley and Dealer Room.
After buying an adorable gothic lolita style head piece, I ventured from table to table in awe of the amazing fan art for sale. That's when I spotted something familiar... And met reirei! I was so excited to meet a fellow member from theotaku in person that I nearly shrieked like a fan girl! (Again, I maintain I'm not a fan girl...) I bought a beautiful print of Sailor Pluto and Sailor Saturn and introduced myself. Yay!!
I moved then to the manga library while I reviewed the schedule. Panels and workshops and cosplay, oh my!! One of the best panels was Anime Parliament. AP is a forum to discuss and vote on various topics concerning anime, video games, manga, etc. For example, is Ash Ketchum responsible for negatively impacting the environment by releasing some of his Pokemon? Are the Ninja Turtles responsible for collateral damage when they fight bad guys? These guys (and gals) travel to tons of conventions - so check them out!!
Other highlights included the Sailor Moon Abridged panel and Epic Con Stories, in which con attendees share awesome/hilarious memories.
I was so excited today, I sort of forgot to eat (although I did drink plenty of water!) so it's time for dinner and then bed - I've got an early day tomorrow!!

AnimeNext - my first anime con!

Today is the first day of the three-day anime convention in NJ - AnimeNext.
And it's my first anime con!!!! I'm so excited, I'm going to use even more exclamation points than I normally do!!!

Along with some great guests, AnimeNext has some really fun panels and workshops to check out! To be honest, I'm a little overwhelmed by all the awesome things on the schedule!!

I'm not cosplaying, but I've decided to do my hair in 'dangos' like Sailor Moon! My hair is a lot shorter now (I chopped off 12 inches and donated it to Locks of Love) so my buns won't be quite as bun-y as hers... Get it bun-y as in Bunny as in Usagi-chan's name in the North American version of the manga?! (okay, enough groaning, I'll lay off the bad puns) I might even rock some cat ears in the interest of looking adorable!

So as a newbie to cons, does anyone have any tips? What was your favorite con moment? Are you going to any cons this year?

Happy Birthday Shippo Moon!!!!!!

Today is my big little sister's birthday! Happy birthday shippo moon!!

(Even though she's technically older, she is still my little sister...)

I didn't make this video, but I thought it was funny and cute for her birthday!

Love you KB!