Tag: AnimeNEXT

AnimeNEXT 2013: Panels and Events

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It is funny. I decided to take a short little break after finishing my general impressions post and look and see what other people were talking about when it came to AnimeNEXT this year. And funnily enough there was a video review of the event that mentioned that the panel selection this year was really weak. I on the other hand thought there was a fairly strong turnout this year. Other than one panel I really enjoyed the selection this year. While I don’t think AnimeNEXT has the reputation for panels like Otakon or Anime Weekend Atlanta they do have a good selection that includes everything from high-minded academic ruminations and feminist theory discussions to fun video panels and dynamic guest panels.

And this year so many less “Me and my friend’s answer dumb questions in character while cosplaying”  panels which I HATE so very much. So what panels did I go see that this review so clearly missed out on?

Just in case you were wondering I am saving Mike Toole, Sayo Yamamoto, and Hiroshi Shimizu for the next post that just talks about the guests of the convention.

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AnimeNEXT 2013: General Impressions

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I usually have a very unified impression of a convention. A single thread or theme tends to pop out to tie these general impressions posts around. But oddly enough this year I will say that each day felt very different. I can’t think of a convention that I attended where I could so easily separate my feelings of the experience into such distinct and finite categories. Usually each day blends together and creates a unified if slightly blurry memory. But each day at AnimeNEXT 2013 for one reason or another had its own feel.

This was not really the fault or goal of AnimeNEXT. It was more the coincidence of my choices plus purely chaotic elements that led to that impression as opposed to any particular planning on my part or that of the convention staff. It was just an odd kismet that led to this occurring. (Unless the AnimeNEXT has a strange combination of weather machines, mind control rays, and a TARDIS. And in that case they should REALLY be using those devices for something much grander than segmenting my personal con experience.)

Friday was the chilly day full of rain where I mostly went to other people’s panels and explored Artists Alley and the Dealers room. Saturday had moderate weather and I focused more on my own panels but also got sidetracked by other things. Sunday was just centered around events with Sayo Yamamoto and Hiroshi Shimizu. There was a little overlap with these themes as some days had elements of the other days but overall they did little to deter from the fact that all three days had very signature vibes. I can’t say that was really a good thing or a bad thing. It just was how it was.

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