A couple months back, I attended the Big Apple Anime Festival (BAAF) convention in New York City, celebrating the accomplishments of anime and manga. It was there that I discovered that the recent boom in Japanese culture had spawned another convention, Anime Next, which promised to be the next evolution of anime conventions. My curiosity paid off and Anime Next seemed to be true to their word. While some work still needs to be done, Anime Next seems to have set up the building blocks of a very successful future.
Anime Next was created last year as a way to fill the convention void in Northern New Jersey area. After seeing s genre-specific convention like Shoujcon succeed in the state, Anime Next was created in hopes that a more general look at anime would attract more people. Held in New Jersey last year, the organization expanded and moved this year's convention spot to the Hilton Rye Town Hotel at 699 Westchester Avenue for 2003.
From Friday, October 3 to Sunday, October 5, fans flocked to the second annual event with aspirations that this year's extravaganza would deliver. Bringing fans more cool stuff than can be fully enjoyed in three days, fans were overloaded with chances to get autographs from artists and voice actors. There was even an Anime Next dance, showcasing the increasingly popular music from various anime soundtracks. There were prizes, music videos, a unique, inspiring art show and auction, karaoke and even a manga room, which like a library, allowed fans to enjoy new titles and old favorites.
Probably the biggest aspects of the convention were the video game room, dealer's room, cosplay showcase, panel discussions, screening rooms and the guests. The video game room was packed as everyone was playing great American and Japanese titles and preparing for various tournaments held throughout the day. It was funny watching people in costumes playing video games, but I was in the minority as cosplay was everywhere.
Most of the guests were dressed up as their favorite anime characters with plenty of Vash the Stampede's (Trigun), 100 (literally) Inu Yashas, .hack//SIGN and Lupin III all represented. The creativity and articulation in the designs were amazing, you can't help but admire the dedication displayed.
Of course, there is no better way to show your dedication than to go to the dealer room and by hundreds of dollars worth in anime, manga, toys, artifacts and other cool gadgets and gizmos. I picked up some great titles there, including the complete set of Cosmo Warrior Zero for only $30 from Media Blasters. What a steal? There were better deals here than at the BAAF and I didn't even have to wait in line to enjoy myself. I would loved to see more businesses represented in the future, but the size worked for me and there wasn't a lot of bumping around so I left a happy man.
A happy man made happier by checking out the latest anime titles in the screening room. Berserk, DNA2, Fruit Baskets and Cowboy Bebop: The Movie were just some of the titles showing in the three video screening rooms that were packed with fans who were either there because they loved the show or were there checking out new titles that they may want to buy in the future. I was happy to see Great Teacher Onizuka: GTO, was also shown, continuing to be a success running well past the usual 26 episodes and still as funny in episode 40 as it was in episode one. If you haven't seen this series yet, it was just announced that Showtime Next will be airing I, starting November 3, or you can just buy it on DVD.
The latest news about GTO being aired on a major cable channel just shows how far anime has come and that was the topic of one panel discussion, which tackled the state of anime today. It was a great panel discussion that held my interest and really opened my eyes on what to expect from anime in the future. These panels, included topics on US animation, voice acting and manga, with knowledgeable guests and experts talking to the fans, were worth the price of admission alone. I felt like I left my discussion a smarter person, satisfied from my education from the experts.
Finally,what is a convention without guests and Anime Next was filled with them. The guest of honor was Tashehiko Ito, the creator and artist behind the Cartoon Network hit Outlaw Star. Ito was making his first ever appearance at a US anime convention. He described what exactly goes into his work and gave guests a little insight into the thought process behind creating such hit shows like Outlaw Star. Other guests included voice actors Moneca Stori, Kagome from Inu Yasha; Wayne Grayson, Joey Wheeler and Shadi from Yu-Gi-Oh! and Michelangelo from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; Marc Diraison, Guts from Berserk; Bill Timoney, who played various roles in Here is Greenwood, Trigun and Outlaw Star and Jamie McGonnigal, the voice of Takeo in Magic Users Club, Sakoma in PatLabor and Crenshaw in Legend of the Dragon Knights.
All in all, I have to say I enjoyed my first Anime Next convention. It was an enlightening experience. I have to say I learned a lot about anime and its fans. The quaint, homely atmosphere and the basic organization allowed me to enjoy more in less time. I think this convention has a lot going for it. There really aren't many recommendations other than the fact that I'd like to see them expand one some ideas such as the unique manga library idea to allow more access to great manga titles. If Anime Next takes the next logical steps in expanding what they already have going for it; the amazing depth of activities to keep fans busy, then I am sure Anime Next 2004, which will be held in New Jersey in June, will continued to be the evolving force it claims to be.
Send comments and questions about this article to JMinners@ybfree.com.