Battle Star Kon: Convention Reivews

Nan Desu Kan September 2002

Aurora, Colorado

Big Improvement! Small cons have more fun! Pics coming!

Project A-kon 13 May 31-2nd 2002

Dallas, Texas

This years A-kon was somehow odd for me. No costume. Lot's of folks in my hotel room. And some bitter sweet memories. Well, at least I got a kiss from Scott McNiel. Nice fellow, and thoroughly enthralled [at least he seemed to me] by the painting I made of Piccolo. I got this signature. I parted with my Perfect Grade Gundam for my anime club raffle. Yes, I was compensated...but the money didn't seem to fill the void in my shelf. I'll post pics shortly.

Ushi-con 1 Feb 2002

Austin, Texas

Ushi-con was a well made first year con. After my Nan Desu Kan experience I was truly impressed by how much did go right! I don't have any pictures of Ushi-con for you to see. I took my video camera and got an awesome interview of Doug Smith (Kintaro Oe - Goldenboy ) He's kinda cute! ^_^ Here's the autograph I received.

Comiket 60 Aug. 2001

Tokyo, Japan - Tokyo Big Site

To start I'd like to mention how MASSIVE this convention is. Yeah, I'm sure you're saying - of course, it's in Japan, why wouldn't it be? I'm telling you! 300,000 people were lined up for this convention. That was a sight to see! If American conventions want to know how to organize a crowd...THIS IS THE PLACE to learn. I was so impressed how things were handled. Well dressed and properly 'arm ban' marked convention staff herded the thousands in to the convention center early in day. There were many 'one way only' hallways and escalators. There were designated loiter areas and designated 'move only' areas. There was a specified spot to change in to and out of costume and a designate area to pose for pictures and exchange information about Cosplay techniques. I began to see the novelty of not parading around outside the convention center in costume. It just isn't polite to impose the festivities on others. The dealers rooms were split in to two area. One was Doujin and the other was main stream anime merchandise. There 'Anime Dealers' room was full of new products: games, OVA and TV series, action figures, models, manga art supplies and computer software for the blossoming artist. The Doujin Dealers room was crammed full. Over 15,000 dealers all selling their take on their favorite show.

Did I mention there was a special area where doujin and manga alike were all tied to strings, that were in turn tied to tables were one could browse the new titles before buying them?! Hundreds of doujin and manga to read for free. Each book had the table number and section of the dealers room taped to them so you could find the table in question. Talk about comparison shopping!! I have a limited number of pics here

Project A-kon 12 2001

Dallas, Texas - Westin/Sheraton Hotels

Let me begin by saying: AAAAAH! It was so crowded. The A-kon staff had their hands FULL! 6,000 attendees poured in to the Westin and Sheraton hotels that week end!! I'm thinking they should have limited ticket sales. There were simply far to many people for the limited amount of space. It was hell in the dealers room - to move that is. And I can be sure that a few dealers lost money from shop-lifting. There were so many bodies who could tell who was buying and who was 'lifting'.

There were a myriad of Cosplayers this year - your usual gathering of costumed folks I'd say. Yet, to my delight there were a few diamonds in the ruff (heh, I was one of them. YEAH! my costume rocked so there!) My favorite was a particular fellow who cosplayed as Vash the Stampede. He was Vash last year and is featured above. This year I got to talk to him - we had to endure the 2 hours behind stage before Cosplay started. I have to admit he's rather handsome and a VERY convincing Vash. ^_^ (From left to right) I asked him to pose like this - which he did no other time during the con. Only a few lucky people caught him posing this way. He looks so cool!! And that's me in the Super Saiyan 4 Vegeta costume SWEATING MY ASS OFF! The second pic is of me readin' my clubs fanzine. And this Nick Wolfwood was the best at the con. He's real cute, ne? Dilandau! Aaah! Not my favorite character from Escaflowne but certainly a memorable one. She looked great - and she DIDN'T smile for the camera - something the other Dilandau's seemed to forget. Let's stay in character people! Bart from Xenogears. I was kinda drooling over this guy. He had such a cute smile. ...anyhow! Great costume! I think this guy is Zenagata [spelling?!] from Lupin. I liked his costume because of it's simplicity and attention to detail. Plus, he had the detectives ID. Nice touch! Lastly Myotismon from Digimon! Awesome costume!! I think she one an award. I won 2nd place - Best of Show. Who one first? Find out: Fans View

All these pictures were taken by Rinny my weirdo-shounen

loving friend.

This was a huge amount of disorganization this year. Schedules were made and remade. Walking between hotels became rather annoying in the June heat. Video rooms were here - Cosplay was there - Gaming was one place - Art Show another. I'm sure that the only option the A-kon staff had, but it didn't work out that well in my opinion. Maybe next year.

I sold two pieces of art t his year in the Art show. I felt great!! I sold my GT Vegeta painting and Piccolo and his Dragon Ball painting. I hope to sell more next year. ^_^

This years A-kon was hectic to say the least - but in the end I can't deny having a good time. See you next year!