Otakon 2008 - Friday/Saturday

[kristensk]

Back from Otakon and finally doing my proper con review. Argh! I didn't mean to wait over a week! Anyways, this year was a little different with the con mixed in with some sightseeing with Mom. I'd been wanting to see some more of Baltimore for years but had never had anyone who wanted to go with me. So, it was nice to finally get out and about even more than last year. Though it was a little hard to balance con events around tours and such. Still, it was fun. And, the con itself was awesome. So, the breakdown behind the cut:


The Panels: Hands down, the best panel this year and perhaps in all four of my years at Otakon was Kappei Yamaguchi's question and answer session. It was great to see and hear him in person, and his answers were a riot. I was also giddy over the fact that Inuyasha rated as one of his favorite roles and was happy with just the sheer number of times he brought the show up without prompting. It's always nice when an actor you admire is also fond of the work you know them best for. And, it was hilarious when he asked a Kagome cosplayer to "sit" him... and responded with his usual Inuyasha response ;) He also did a couple of great lines in his Usopp (One Piece) voice.

seekersks and I also attended the Voltron/Saber Rider panel. Because I was crazy about Voltron when I was in first and second grade. I still have my complete Voltron robot (all five lions combined), coloring books, storybook and several of the pilot figures. ::cough:: Er... yes, I've always been a crazy fangirl. Anyways, I enjoyed hearing others' memories of the show (especially the poor guy whose parents sold his toys and then tried to convince him there was no Voltron and he'd made it up... scary). And, we got to see several comparison clips between Voltron and the original Japanese "GoLion" series. I already knew about some of the differences and the edits that were made, but it was interesting to see them. (Except that whole repeating the footage of Nanny getting shot three times thing; that was a little tasteless.) We also got to hear some news about the live action Voltron movie that's been kicking around for a while and about the current proposed plotline for it. The current idea seems to involve setting it on a post-alien invasion sort of future earth. But, who knows what the final movie will be like... or when we'll see it.

Peter S. Beagle, author of "The Last Unicorn", was back at Otakon this year, and we caught his panel as well. His stories and anecdotes were entertaining. Though it's a shame he, unlike Kappei, views my favorite of his works, "The Last Unicorn" as a project from which he was "lucky to escape alive". However, despite saying that, he doesn't seem to hold it against the book. He was more than willing to discuss it and confirmed that he is working on a sequel. A sequel I very much wish to read. That and that "I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons" book he mentioned.

Lastly, we stayed on after Peter Beagle's panel to check out the Bang Zoom! Entertainment and Bandai industry panels. Bandai's was particularly interesting as they showed trailers from at least two movies and one OVA that I had previously heard of but am now even more interested in seeing (Sword of a Stranger, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and the Freedom OAV).

The Anime: We didn't watch a lot this year. "Sword of a Stranger" was showing on Saturday afternoon, but I opted to check out Fort McHenry with Mom instead. But, Seek and I did catch the first few episodes of GoLion. I was pleased to find that, once you get past the series' obvious age, it was pretty enjoyable. Sadly, I don't think I can say the same for the Voltron version. I saw an episode or two when it was re-shown in the early '90's and was disappointed then that it didn't live up to my childhood memories. But, it does have one thing over on Golion! The music. For comparison, I give you: the opening theme to GoLion and the opening theme/sequence to Voltron.

And, I actually didn't buy anything at the con this year. I managed to spend what felt like a ton of money on food (I recommend not buying drinks in the convention center unless you're about to pass out from lack of food/hydration), but I decided to save my usual con allowance and instead pick up the second boxset of Busou Renkin that's due out soon and maybe something else. We'll see ;)

And, for more con pictures (plus random commentary), see seekersks LJ.

Comments

[gargantua29.livejournal.com]

I am awed and amazed that you managed to attend a con and NOT spend a lot of money. I'm headed to Dragon Con soon myself and have had to set up a budget so I don't spend to much at the vendors. :)

I would have loved to have seen Kagome sit Inuyasha! I've never been to Otaku Con, but I might just have to work it in sometime. It sounds like an absolute riot.

[kristensk.livejournal.com]

Well, the dealer room was very crowded, and I just wasn't seeing much that caught my eye. Though I'm sure I could have found something given enough time ;) But, I got to thinking about some of the series I wanted on DVD and how I could order them online without having to fight crowds and decided that was the way to go. I have gone wild (for me) in the dealer room before though.

I've enjoyed Otakon a lot since I've been going. Granted, I don't have much basis for comparison. The only other convention I've attended was Animazement here in North Carolina.

[gargantua29.livejournal.com]

You are in North Carolina? Not too far from Atlanta then. If you ever make it to Dragon Con give me ping. I try to go every year. :)

[kristensk.livejournal.com]

I am. And, I will! And, if you ever happen to check out Otakon, drop me a line too. My brother and I usually go every year these days.

[gargantua29.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a deal!

[skoolmunkee.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you had fun :)

There is a short story meant to be a follow-up to The Last Unicorn though, it's about Prince Lear's death. It's in a recent collection of his called (I think) 'The Line Between'

[kristensk.livejournal.com]

Ah! I need to find that collection. I have read the short story ("Two Hearts"), but I found it on peterbeagle.com. Apparently, he's also writing a full-length sequel as well that would take place after the short story.