Out of all the powers in the world, my all time favourite would be to fly
(especially in a world hampered by soaring oil prices) - it would come in very
useful indeed!
When I'm bored I would do things like read a book/manga/magazine, listen to
music, go for a walk and/or a drive, watch DVDs, go shopping and visit
Minitokyo...of course!
Having just attended my first anime convention in more than 2 years, it felt so
good geeting back into the swings of things within the anime community here in
Australia and across the globe.
Here are my Top Ten Recommendations for making your anime convention experince
really worth your time and effort!
1. Make sure you allow plenty of time to plan ahead. If you are able to
pre-register before the convention - do it! You wil save yourself time and money
instead of turning up on the day to face a massive registration queue at the
venue. If you are coming from long distances, interstate or overseas, make sure
you book all necessary accomodation and transport arrangements to and from the
venue at least 3-5 months ahead of the convention date.
2. Make sure you get plenty of rest on the night before the convention (big days
require an early night to bed!)
3. Pack a bag the night before the convention with esentials such as any cosplay
apparel, food, water, bus/train timetables, money set aside for bus/train
fares/anime merchandise, mobile phone, cameras/video cameras and batteries for
those electronic items fully charged. Brining along a spare set of batteries is
also a wise option (when applicable)
4. Pack yourself you own lunch and/or snacks on the night before as well. You
could save yourself some time and money on buying food on the day (food at some
conventions can be rather expensive at times)
5. Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated throughout the day. Ensure you pack a
full bottle of water or two in your bag.
6. If you intend on spending money on anime merchandise, make sure you bring
along plenty of cash (notes and coin) as most stalls will not have credit
card/electronic transfer payments facilities. Make sure you with draw your cash
early as ATMs at the convention venue will tend to run out of money quite
rapidly. A good idea would be to carry your wallet in a money belt worn under
your clothing (it can be a good deterrent against theft)
7. If you intend to wear a costume on the day, pack your costume in a bag and
wear everyday clothing when heading to and from the venue. Change into your
cosplay apparel on arrival at the venue. This will prevent your costume from
being ruined and/or damaged as well as prevent you from other members of the
general public giving you long, hard stares! Another thing for cosplaying
attendees, would to be prepared for any person to ask you to stop what you are
doing for taking a photo or two
8. Try to arrive at the convention at least 30mins-1hr or so early to avoid the
mad rush in the last 10 minutes. Make sure you have plenty of time set aside for
transport to/from the venue. If you are travelling on a train, keeping up to
date a few days before the convention on trackwork/mantenance operations that
could be carried out on the date of the event is a wise idea.
9. Have a look at the convention schedule on the day and make sure you choose
the vents that you really want to see and make sure there are any
pre-arrangements to be made. If you intend to be an audience member during the
cosplay/AMV events, make sure you find a seat at least 30mins before the event
as these will tend to be some of the most popular events to attend to during the
convention.
10. The last but not least recommendation - HAVE FUN AND ENJOY
YOURSELF!
Hope these pointers will help make your anime convention experience one that you
can never forget!
As far as male characters go, I like Guru Clef and Lantis from Magic Knight
Rayearth (I love Clef's hairdo and he is so funny whenever he argues with anyone
- especially Umi) as well as Alex Row from Last Exile (both him and Lantis are
virtually similar in personality (i.e. dark, mysterious, uncertain) and both are
do so well when keeping their cool).
With most American and/or Western Style cartoons, it always seems to focus on
one particular genre: Comedy. I am not against Westerns-tyle animation in any
way whatsoever, but it seems that the only genre that the West focuses on is
stuff designed to make you laugh. Comedy thrives in this part of the world, when
other genres like drama, romance, horror and action are a rarity.
But when it comes to anime, the possibilities are just limitless - and there is
always going to be something for everybody supporting any genre whether it be
comedy, drama, action, horror, romance, factual and so-on.
Another thing about anime is that a lot of anime movies and/or TV shows have
rather complex plots and story lines. Some shows even make people learn things
about Japanese culture/way of life, which helps to attract more harmony among
the people in this world who follow it.
In my opinion, there is no right or wrong to say which style of animation is
better - whether Japanese or American, but anime style animation will always
allow a lot more options for people of any age, race, religion or
culture.
My top 5 Favourites would be (in no particular order):
- Asuka Langley Soryu (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
- Umi Ryuuzaki (Magic Knight Rayearth)
- Belldandy (Ah! My Goddess)
- Rei Hino/Sailor Mars (Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon)
- Ami Mizuno/Sailor Mercury (Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon)
I usually do what Mnemeth does - watch the opening and closing credits at the
start of a series and then fast forward through them for all the other episodes
with the exception of the last episode (where I watch both opening/closing
credits in their entirety).
For me, there's a number of individual clubs I barrack for (for different
competitions):
English Premier League: ARSENAL
Spanish La Liga: BARCELONA
Dutch League: PSV Eindhoven
Australian A-League: Central Coast Mariners (who are going to be in this years
A-League Grand Final this weekend! WOO-HOO!)
Funny enough, I don't seem to have a favourite club in Italy's Serie A though
(there are A LOT of excellent clubs that I can't seem to choose a favourite! Oh
well...)
Mine would have to be Nobuo Uematsu's score for Final Fantasy VII. I feel the
music of the game was to help make the game an instant hit among not only lovers
of the "Final Fantasy" series, but for the entire RPG community as a
whole. I actually own the entire soundtrack to this game (4 CD's long) and I can
say in the end - it is money very well spent (even if I think some of the tracks
may not belong on there!).
The standout track? Definitely "One Winged Angel." (I would LOVE to
see that song performed live one day!)
For a male character: Keitaro Urashima from Love Hina (total jerk - poor excuse
for a property manager/landlord).
For a female character: Excel from Excel Saga (she should be locked up in the
zoo).
The first manga book I remember buying was Vol. 1 of "Full Metal
Panic" from the Sydney branch of Bookstore Kinokuniya. After FMP I also
collected "Ai Yori Aoshi" (completed the series), "Magic Knight
Rayearth" (both parts and completed the series) and just today, I have
bought Vol. 17 of Ken Akamatsu's "Mahou Sensei Negima."
Embarassed about reading manga in public? NEVER! In fact, whenever a new volume
of a manga series that I collect has been released and/or the latest edition of
Newtpe magazine, I buy it and read a chapter as I go to and from work on the
train (I commute). It makes the journey go a lot faster that way.
In fact, some of my fellow colleagues read their manga on their lunch breaks or
even when the day is slow. As far as other passengers on the train go, they have
been quite initrigued and interested into the way I read manga (being read from
right-to-left) and on some occasions I may even stir up a little conversation
between us about the manga I read that day and other things.
So never be afraid of reading manga in public - because it may lead to other
people learning new things every day!
I watch anime mostly on DVD (whether using my DVD drive on my laptop and/or on
my family's TV and DVD player) and the odd VHS tape every now again (even though
I'm stating to phase out a lot of title which I used on own on VHS into the DVD
format).
I have noticed that an increasing number of video shops around my local area
have started stocking up on anime and other Japanese cinema-realted shows and TV
programs. If I wanted to assess/evaluate the credibility of a new anime I have
not seen yet, I would probably rent the first two volume of a series or a movie
and if it lived up to my expectations, then I would then rent the other volumes
and/or even buy its boxset. I think that is a good and legitimate way to come
across new programs that you have not come across before and/or curious about
how good it is.
I was in my second year of university, studying for an Information Technolgy
degree. I was in bed asleep shortly after arriving home from uni the night
before the attacks. And the biggest news sotry I remember that day was
concerning the bankrupcy crisis facing Ansett Airlines.
Early the next day, my father knocks on my bedroom door and walks in saying that
four airliners (two from American Airlines and two from United) had been
hijacked on the US East Coast, two have crashed into the World Trade Centre, one
into the Pentagon and the other in a field outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylavinia. I
thought my father was drunk at first and went back to sleep. 10 minutes later,
my mother marches into my room saying: "Get out of bed, come see
this." So, I get out of bed and headed for the loungeroom to discover on
the TV news headlines: "AMERICA UNDER ATTACK." The next thing I see is
the Boeing 767 of United Airlines Flight 175 slamming into the South Tower of
the WTC and exploding into smithereens. After watching the highlights unfold for
a while - including the initial collapse of the entire WTC facility, I was
thinking: "Now there's something you don't see every day. Bloody
hell."
I remember I bought myself a pocket radio to listen to any fresh news coming
regarding the atrocity and how a number of radio stations were collecting calls
from listeners who wanted to deliver messages for an online condolence book for
the victims.
I admit there were adverse thoughts running thorough everyones' minds during the
lectures that day (even the lecturer himself). It just goes to show how the
whole planet was in shock on that particular day. It is just terrible to
comprehend that a group of people had the rotten nerve and the poor initiative
to forcfully take control of a number of airliners (full of innocent passengers
and huge, fully laden tanks of fuel) and pull off a stunt as sickening and
terrifying as that. Some people just never learn.
As far as anime and manga go, whenever there is a new manga volume that's just
been released, I tend to pack that volume in my briefcase and read it on the
train heading for work (I commute). Either that or the lastest issue of Newtype
magazine.
I sometimes pick out a anime DVD (whether it is a movie or a TV series in a
boxset) and watch it on my laptop on Friday and Saturday nights - neat way to
relax and unwind after a busy week.
But I would not like to say I would watch anime day in-day out, due to work and
other commitments.
Everyone in my family are chocolate lovers - especially anything made by Lindt.
When a Lindt-made chocolate melts inside your mouth it feels like having silk on
your tongue.
I was fortunate enough to visit one of Lindt's factory shops in Zurich while I
was on a holiday with my Aunt and Uncle back in late October of 1996. It's just
awe inspiring how they make their chocolate - it is baisically an art when they
go about making it!
Lindt themselves have actually opened a cafe/choclate shop in Martin Place,
Sydney. This is where I always go when it comes to chocolate for Easter
(especially their Gold Bunnies), Mother's day or for any other occasion.
Stunning stuff!
In my younger years, I was not much of a fan of seafood. However when sushi bars
and other Japanese restaurants were staring to make their impact on the
Australian culinary arena, did I really start to appreciate seafood a lot more.
Nowdays, I am always keen on having a decent fish meal every now and again. I am
a sucker for oysters, fresh salmon and tuna (NOT the stuff you get in the can!),
barramundi, kingfish, jewfish, perch, tereki (a popular edible fish from New
Zealand) and I have even one time had sole!
Strangely enough, I've never been a huge lover of prawns or lobsters though -
the smell of them sometimes puts me off. However I happen to enjoythem a bit
more in Japanese tempura dishes and othe Asian meals.
It's just amazing how an introduction into Japanese cuisine had really changed
my perception on seafood. Wouldn't you agree?
We have two cats and a dog in our family. For pur cats, we have a grey,
cross-tabby/burman named Merlin and a ginger tom named Socrates. Our dog's name
is Chloe: a cross maltese/shih-tzu (the newest pet to join our family).
Out of all the powers in the world, my all time favourite would be to fly (especially in a world hampered by soaring oil prices) - it would come in very useful indeed!
When I'm bored I would do things like read a book/manga/magazine, listen to music, go for a walk and/or a drive, watch DVDs, go shopping and visit Minitokyo...of course!
It will be interesting to see what the new layout will be like. All the best with the rollout!
deliverance
Having just attended my first anime convention in more than 2 years, it felt so good geeting back into the swings of things within the anime community here in Australia and across the globe.
Here are my Top Ten Recommendations for making your anime convention experince really worth your time and effort!
1. Make sure you allow plenty of time to plan ahead. If you are able to pre-register before the convention - do it! You wil save yourself time and money instead of turning up on the day to face a massive registration queue at the venue. If you are coming from long distances, interstate or overseas, make sure you book all necessary accomodation and transport arrangements to and from the venue at least 3-5 months ahead of the convention date.
2. Make sure you get plenty of rest on the night before the convention (big days require an early night to bed!)
3. Pack a bag the night before the convention with esentials such as any cosplay apparel, food, water, bus/train timetables, money set aside for bus/train fares/anime merchandise, mobile phone, cameras/video cameras and batteries for those electronic items fully charged. Brining along a spare set of batteries is also a wise option (when applicable)
4. Pack yourself you own lunch and/or snacks on the night before as well. You could save yourself some time and money on buying food on the day (food at some conventions can be rather expensive at times)
5. Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated throughout the day. Ensure you pack a full bottle of water or two in your bag.
6. If you intend on spending money on anime merchandise, make sure you bring along plenty of cash (notes and coin) as most stalls will not have credit card/electronic transfer payments facilities. Make sure you with draw your cash early as ATMs at the convention venue will tend to run out of money quite rapidly. A good idea would be to carry your wallet in a money belt worn under your clothing (it can be a good deterrent against theft)
7. If you intend to wear a costume on the day, pack your costume in a bag and wear everyday clothing when heading to and from the venue. Change into your cosplay apparel on arrival at the venue. This will prevent your costume from being ruined and/or damaged as well as prevent you from other members of the general public giving you long, hard stares! Another thing for cosplaying attendees, would to be prepared for any person to ask you to stop what you are doing for taking a photo or two
8. Try to arrive at the convention at least 30mins-1hr or so early to avoid the mad rush in the last 10 minutes. Make sure you have plenty of time set aside for transport to/from the venue. If you are travelling on a train, keeping up to date a few days before the convention on trackwork/mantenance operations that could be carried out on the date of the event is a wise idea.
9. Have a look at the convention schedule on the day and make sure you choose the vents that you really want to see and make sure there are any pre-arrangements to be made. If you intend to be an audience member during the cosplay/AMV events, make sure you find a seat at least 30mins before the event as these will tend to be some of the most popular events to attend to during the convention.
10. The last but not least recommendation - HAVE FUN AND ENJOY YOURSELF!
Hope these pointers will help make your anime convention experience one that you can never forget!
As far as male characters go, I like Guru Clef and Lantis from Magic Knight Rayearth (I love Clef's hairdo and he is so funny whenever he argues with anyone - especially Umi) as well as Alex Row from Last Exile (both him and Lantis are virtually similar in personality (i.e. dark, mysterious, uncertain) and both are do so well when keeping their cool).
With most American and/or Western Style cartoons, it always seems to focus on one particular genre: Comedy. I am not against Westerns-tyle animation in any way whatsoever, but it seems that the only genre that the West focuses on is stuff designed to make you laugh. Comedy thrives in this part of the world, when other genres like drama, romance, horror and action are a rarity.
But when it comes to anime, the possibilities are just limitless - and there is always going to be something for everybody supporting any genre whether it be comedy, drama, action, horror, romance, factual and so-on.
Another thing about anime is that a lot of anime movies and/or TV shows have rather complex plots and story lines. Some shows even make people learn things about Japanese culture/way of life, which helps to attract more harmony among the people in this world who follow it.
In my opinion, there is no right or wrong to say which style of animation is better - whether Japanese or American, but anime style animation will always allow a lot more options for people of any age, race, religion or culture.
When it comes to anime, there are no limits.
My top 5 Favourites would be (in no particular order):
- Asuka Langley Soryu (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
- Umi Ryuuzaki (Magic Knight Rayearth)
- Belldandy (Ah! My Goddess)
- Rei Hino/Sailor Mars (Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon)
- Ami Mizuno/Sailor Mercury (Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon)
I usually do what Mnemeth does - watch the opening and closing credits at the start of a series and then fast forward through them for all the other episodes with the exception of the last episode (where I watch both opening/closing credits in their entirety).
For me, there's a number of individual clubs I barrack for (for different competitions):
English Premier League: ARSENAL
Spanish La Liga: BARCELONA
Dutch League: PSV Eindhoven
Australian A-League: Central Coast Mariners (who are going to be in this years A-League Grand Final this weekend! WOO-HOO!)
Funny enough, I don't seem to have a favourite club in Italy's Serie A though (there are A LOT of excellent clubs that I can't seem to choose a favourite! Oh well...)
Mine would have to be Nobuo Uematsu's score for Final Fantasy VII. I feel the music of the game was to help make the game an instant hit among not only lovers of the "Final Fantasy" series, but for the entire RPG community as a whole. I actually own the entire soundtrack to this game (4 CD's long) and I can say in the end - it is money very well spent (even if I think some of the tracks may not belong on there!).
The standout track? Definitely "One Winged Angel." (I would LOVE to see that song performed live one day!)
For a male character: Keitaro Urashima from Love Hina (total jerk - poor excuse for a property manager/landlord).
For a female character: Excel from Excel Saga (she should be locked up in the zoo).
For definites: Magic Knight Rayearth, Macross and Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Possibilities: Ah! My Goddess, .hack//SIGN and Kiddy Grade.
The first manga book I remember buying was Vol. 1 of "Full Metal Panic" from the Sydney branch of Bookstore Kinokuniya. After FMP I also collected "Ai Yori Aoshi" (completed the series), "Magic Knight Rayearth" (both parts and completed the series) and just today, I have bought Vol. 17 of Ken Akamatsu's "Mahou Sensei Negima."
Embarassed about reading manga in public? NEVER! In fact, whenever a new volume of a manga series that I collect has been released and/or the latest edition of Newtpe magazine, I buy it and read a chapter as I go to and from work on the train (I commute). It makes the journey go a lot faster that way.
In fact, some of my fellow colleagues read their manga on their lunch breaks or even when the day is slow. As far as other passengers on the train go, they have been quite initrigued and interested into the way I read manga (being read from right-to-left) and on some occasions I may even stir up a little conversation between us about the manga I read that day and other things.
So never be afraid of reading manga in public - because it may lead to other people learning new things every day!
True. Especially beef, spinach and any pies with fruit in them (paticuarly apple & rhubarb pies!)
The person below me is a fan of Magic Knight Rayearth.
I watch anime mostly on DVD (whether using my DVD drive on my laptop and/or on my family's TV and DVD player) and the odd VHS tape every now again (even though I'm stating to phase out a lot of title which I used on own on VHS into the DVD format).
I have noticed that an increasing number of video shops around my local area have started stocking up on anime and other Japanese cinema-realted shows and TV programs. If I wanted to assess/evaluate the credibility of a new anime I have not seen yet, I would probably rent the first two volume of a series or a movie and if it lived up to my expectations, then I would then rent the other volumes and/or even buy its boxset. I think that is a good and legitimate way to come across new programs that you have not come across before and/or curious about how good it is.
I was in my second year of university, studying for an Information Technolgy degree. I was in bed asleep shortly after arriving home from uni the night before the attacks. And the biggest news sotry I remember that day was concerning the bankrupcy crisis facing Ansett Airlines.
Early the next day, my father knocks on my bedroom door and walks in saying that four airliners (two from American Airlines and two from United) had been hijacked on the US East Coast, two have crashed into the World Trade Centre, one into the Pentagon and the other in a field outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylavinia. I thought my father was drunk at first and went back to sleep. 10 minutes later, my mother marches into my room saying: "Get out of bed, come see this." So, I get out of bed and headed for the loungeroom to discover on the TV news headlines: "AMERICA UNDER ATTACK." The next thing I see is the Boeing 767 of United Airlines Flight 175 slamming into the South Tower of the WTC and exploding into smithereens. After watching the highlights unfold for a while - including the initial collapse of the entire WTC facility, I was thinking: "Now there's something you don't see every day. Bloody hell."
I remember I bought myself a pocket radio to listen to any fresh news coming regarding the atrocity and how a number of radio stations were collecting calls from listeners who wanted to deliver messages for an online condolence book for the victims.
I admit there were adverse thoughts running thorough everyones' minds during the lectures that day (even the lecturer himself). It just goes to show how the whole planet was in shock on that particular day. It is just terrible to comprehend that a group of people had the rotten nerve and the poor initiative to forcfully take control of a number of airliners (full of innocent passengers and huge, fully laden tanks of fuel) and pull off a stunt as sickening and terrifying as that. Some people just never learn.
Never Let Me Down Again by Depeche Mode
As far as anime and manga go, whenever there is a new manga volume that's just been released, I tend to pack that volume in my briefcase and read it on the train heading for work (I commute). Either that or the lastest issue of Newtype magazine.
I sometimes pick out a anime DVD (whether it is a movie or a TV series in a boxset) and watch it on my laptop on Friday and Saturday nights - neat way to relax and unwind after a busy week.
But I would not like to say I would watch anime day in-day out, due to work and other commitments.
Everyone in my family are chocolate lovers - especially anything made by Lindt. When a Lindt-made chocolate melts inside your mouth it feels like having silk on your tongue.
I was fortunate enough to visit one of Lindt's factory shops in Zurich while I was on a holiday with my Aunt and Uncle back in late October of 1996. It's just awe inspiring how they make their chocolate - it is baisically an art when they go about making it!
Lindt themselves have actually opened a cafe/choclate shop in Martin Place, Sydney. This is where I always go when it comes to chocolate for Easter (especially their Gold Bunnies), Mother's day or for any other occasion.
Stunning stuff!
In my younger years, I was not much of a fan of seafood. However when sushi bars and other Japanese restaurants were staring to make their impact on the Australian culinary arena, did I really start to appreciate seafood a lot more. Nowdays, I am always keen on having a decent fish meal every now and again. I am a sucker for oysters, fresh salmon and tuna (NOT the stuff you get in the can!), barramundi, kingfish, jewfish, perch, tereki (a popular edible fish from New Zealand) and I have even one time had sole!
Strangely enough, I've never been a huge lover of prawns or lobsters though - the smell of them sometimes puts me off. However I happen to enjoythem a bit more in Japanese tempura dishes and othe Asian meals.
It's just amazing how an introduction into Japanese cuisine had really changed my perception on seafood. Wouldn't you agree?
We have two cats and a dog in our family. For pur cats, we have a grey, cross-tabby/burman named Merlin and a ginger tom named Socrates. Our dog's name is Chloe: a cross maltese/shih-tzu (the newest pet to join our family).