Tag: Otakon

Otakon 2011: The Guidebook App

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Anyone who has seen my pre-con schedule, then my con report, will note that my preliminary schedule is filled with nothing but dirty lies and broken promises. That is because I always change my plans at the con. Panel times change, events are canceled, I notice new things, an empty stomach calls, or sexy cosplay ladies need to converse with me (that last one has never happened, and probably never will, but it theoretically could happen). So I usually sit in any room of a con looking over the schedule trying to decide what to do next. This year since I recently obtained an iPod Touch, a new door was opened. I was able to enter the digital age with the Otakon Guidebook App. There was a decent amount of talk about the quality of this new app but the real question is did it live up to the buzz?

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Crime Scene Investigations #002: Otakon 2011

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This is a bonus segment of the Speakeasy Podcast we like to call Crime Scene Investigations. These are random bonus podcasts that we record live from various events. There is no regular schedule for these. We will put them up as quickly as we can when the opportunity for one occurs. We suspect they will mostly be from conventions but we might work in some interviews and conversation from NY events as fate allows.

In this edition of Crime Scene Investigations, we talk about our experiences on Friday at Otakon 2011 with Basil and Kevin of the OSMcast, Patz from Insert-Disc and Podlabor, and Carl from Ogiue Maniax. There is discussion of the Otakon Game Show, Angel ScandyS, Makoto Shinkai, Masao Maruyama, CLAMP, Remembering Satoshi Kon, and Art of Akira. Of course we discuss memes, sandwiches, and the little things we both love and hate at the convention. By the way check out the transformation of opinion over the Ice Cold Water guy from this to this.

Crime Scene Investigations #002 – Otakon 2011

Otakon 2011: Makoto Shinkai and Children Who Chase Lost Voices from Deep Below

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As far as directors go, Makoto Shinkai is one of my top choices to hear talk about his work. So imagine my delight when Otakon announced his first U.S. appearance would be right there in Baltimore. Despite being relatively young in the business, nine years, he has produced memorable and beautiful films. To top off his interactions with his fans, we were privileged to see the English-language premiere of his latest movie Children Who Chase Lost Voices from Deep Below.

There was one Japanese guest that everyone was looking forward to (unless you are a major Hetalia: Axis Powers fan) and that man was Makoto Shinkai. He is known for his mostly solitary work on Voices of a Distant Star, his longer work on The Place Promised in Our Early Days, and his stellar work on 5 Centimeters per Second. His distinct visual style and reoccurring motifs make him stand out in people’s minds. So when he came to the U.S. to promote his latest movie, Children Who Chase Lost Voices from Deep Below, even people outside of the normal mega geek blogging circles took notice. Narutaki was able to attend the premiere and a panel while I had a chance to hear him speak at the press conference.

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