Comments for Kent Ward's Land of Awesome http://www.kentward.com Thu, 29 Jul 2010 01:36:04 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 Comment on Thoughts on Metrocon (And Other Stuff) by Waldo http://www.kentward.com/2010/07/metrocon-and-other-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-2330 Waldo Thu, 29 Jul 2010 01:36:04 +0000 http://www.kentward.com/?p=877#comment-2330 The biggest problem I see with some of the non-staff created events is you'll occasionally get a panel that wasn't really thought out, and is put on by a person that doesn't know anything about public speaking. Sometimes I wonder if the people that do that didn't just decide to make a panel to get in for free. When I first decided to host the Evangelion Panel, I did it for numerous reasons, but the main reason was that I love Evangelion, and I can talk about it for hours. Since I know a TON about it, why not pass on that knowledge to others that may not have seen it. Even if there was a Naruto panel that actually spoke indepth about aspects of Naruto such as chakras, all the myths and legends that are used in the story, and other points that are relevant, then those panels would be more interesting. However, the only Naruto Panel I've ever seen, I walked into about 10 minutes after it started, heard a bunch of crap about who would win in a character/character fight (a few were asking inter-series battles), with no one actually breaking down anything to have an actual debate; and then it started in with random character/character hookups and I left...this happened about 12 minutes after I arrived. The whole panel was unorganized, unstructured, and basically boiled down to a bunch of teenagers yelling at each other like idiots. I think it would be nicer if would-be panelist had to actually go audition for the panel spot, showing that they have a structure, a point, and the ability to speak to an audience before their panel is approved. If this happened, you might see more workshops for various things like furry ears and tails, model and figurine painting, and weapon building, but you'd also see alot more panels where the presenter holds your interest, knows what they are talking about, and can get you psyched about anything. The more I talk about this, the more I want to add it to the Otaku Survival Guide panel... The biggest problem I see with some of the non-staff created events is you’ll occasionally get a panel that wasn’t really thought out, and is put on by a person that doesn’t know anything about public speaking. Sometimes I wonder if the people that do that didn’t just decide to make a panel to get in for free. When I first decided to host the Evangelion Panel, I did it for numerous reasons, but the main reason was that I love Evangelion, and I can talk about it for hours. Since I know a TON about it, why not pass on that knowledge to others that may not have seen it.

Even if there was a Naruto panel that actually spoke indepth about aspects of Naruto such as chakras, all the myths and legends that are used in the story, and other points that are relevant, then those panels would be more interesting. However, the only Naruto Panel I’ve ever seen, I walked into about 10 minutes after it started, heard a bunch of crap about who would win in a character/character fight (a few were asking inter-series battles), with no one actually breaking down anything to have an actual debate; and then it started in with random character/character hookups and I left…this happened about 12 minutes after I arrived. The whole panel was unorganized, unstructured, and basically boiled down to a bunch of teenagers yelling at each other like idiots.

I think it would be nicer if would-be panelist had to actually go audition for the panel spot, showing that they have a structure, a point, and the ability to speak to an audience before their panel is approved. If this happened, you might see more workshops for various things like furry ears and tails, model and figurine painting, and weapon building, but you’d also see alot more panels where the presenter holds your interest, knows what they are talking about, and can get you psyched about anything.

The more I talk about this, the more I want to add it to the Otaku Survival Guide panel…

]]> Comment on Thoughts on Metrocon (And Other Stuff) by Kent Ward http://www.kentward.com/2010/07/metrocon-and-other-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-2328 Kent Ward Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:29:45 +0000 http://www.kentward.com/?p=877#comment-2328 @Chu <br> First off, thanks for answering the questions. Feedback from convention attendees is always excellent, especially when it gets a bit more specific. <br> I went to the Chessmatch as well. It had some cool fights and some terrible ones. Moreover, the narrative didn't make sense and the ending was just a big mess that seems to be insulting to anime fandom as a whole. <br> Seriously, why the hell does Indiana Jones come out and save the day? I thought it was an *anime* chessmatch! They do this bullshit every year too so I shouldn't surprised. Honestly, how hard is it to bring Goku back on stage to deal the finishing blow to Ashram? Wouldn't that get people pumped up about being anime fans? Isn't that what conventions should do? <br> Fights like the one Goku and Vegeta had on stage were great because the actors act like the characters would and the gag at the end of the fight was great. There was this goofy rock-off between Krauser II from DMC and Haruko from FLCL was kinda amusing. I wish there was more stuff like those moments happening. <br> The Rock Lee vs Jotaro Kujo fight was disappointing. Jotaro is a 6+ feet tall mountain of manly muscle so why the hell is a scrawny girl playing him? Why do him and his stand Star Platinum act like tag team partners when stands are extensions of the person who controls one? It really looked like nobody on staff had actually seen or read Jojo's Bizarre Adventure. I get that with many of the other fights as well. <br> (For those who are having a hard time understanding- think about a stage combat event where Luke Skywalker fights with water balloons instead of his lightsaber and you'll get my point.) <br> And yes, the Metrocon Chessmatch takes WAY TOO LONG. Every year. They need someone to sit in on a chessmatch rehearsal to just be brutally honest and say a fight sucks so they can scrap it and get to the melee and crap ending faster. <br> To respond to your answers to my second and third questions, some of those events have happened in the last two years at local conventions; it's all a matter of whether or not someone is motivated enough to run them each year. I used to do karaoke at conventions but after a couple years, I got burned out on it. Luckily, there are people that want to keep it going. <br> This one caught my eye though: <br> "Since you and I are older, wouldn’t it be nice to see something like a beginners guide to classic anime?" <br> There are a couple events like that happening at AFO. Daryl Surat is doing a panel called "Anime 101: What You Should Know But Probably Don't" that I recommend 90% of the convention attend. That will be Saturday afternoon. <br> I am doing a theme-focused panel called "It's MANIME: The Manly Anime Panel!" that 100% of the convention should go to. However, the people that need to go to that panel more than anyone at the convention will be at the dance happening at the same time! <br> These are the kinds of things I would call actual anime events. Anime is being promoted and being discussed on a deeper level than what you would find at the average voice actor panel and people will come out enthused if the panel is good. <br> The general audience events that keep appearing more and more on the schedule that have anime in the title but don't actually promote anime or try to get people into anime are not really anime events. Example: Anime Idol, which is just American Idol with anime put in the event title in a sad attempt to pass it off as relevant. (Note: I'm not saying that a singing competition is a bad idea!) <br> I know you push for Anime Dating Game but how is that an anime event? I know you said you are shy but it's so easy to go up to people at conventions to socialize. You could almost say that the hallway is the "Anime" Dating Game, but with no structure. <br> However, I don't want to shoot your idea down. The great thing about conventions is that the opportunity exists to step up and run those kinds of events if you really want them to happen. I work on anime events staff for MegaCon and AFO and I can bluntly tell you that nobody on either wants to actually run such an event. So it looks like someone will have to step up for it to happen... <br> Don't let panels about cross-dressing turn you off from going to other panels! As a matter of fact, there are some really great panels happening at AFO that are about anime that are worth going to. Some are entertaining, some are educational, and some are a mix of both. <br> We need more of those events and people to run them. I hope that in the coming years, people can get into those roles of getting convention attendees excited about anime. @Chu

First off, thanks for answering the questions. Feedback from convention attendees is always excellent, especially when it gets a bit more specific.

I went to the Chessmatch as well. It had some cool fights and some terrible ones. Moreover, the narrative didn’t make sense and the ending was just a big mess that seems to be insulting to anime fandom as a whole.

Seriously, why the hell does Indiana Jones come out and save the day? I thought it was an *anime* chessmatch! They do this bullshit every year too so I shouldn’t surprised. Honestly, how hard is it to bring Goku back on stage to deal the finishing blow to Ashram? Wouldn’t that get people pumped up about being anime fans? Isn’t that what conventions should do?

Fights like the one Goku and Vegeta had on stage were great because the actors act like the characters would and the gag at the end of the fight was great. There was this goofy rock-off between Krauser II from DMC and Haruko from FLCL was kinda amusing. I wish there was more stuff like those moments happening.

The Rock Lee vs Jotaro Kujo fight was disappointing. Jotaro is a 6+ feet tall mountain of manly muscle so why the hell is a scrawny girl playing him? Why do him and his stand Star Platinum act like tag team partners when stands are extensions of the person who controls one? It really looked like nobody on staff had actually seen or read Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. I get that with many of the other fights as well.

(For those who are having a hard time understanding- think about a stage combat event where Luke Skywalker fights with water balloons instead of his lightsaber and you’ll get my point.)

And yes, the Metrocon Chessmatch takes WAY TOO LONG. Every year. They need someone to sit in on a chessmatch rehearsal to just be brutally honest and say a fight sucks so they can scrap it and get to the melee and crap ending faster.

To respond to your answers to my second and third questions, some of those events have happened in the last two years at local conventions; it’s all a matter of whether or not someone is motivated enough to run them each year. I used to do karaoke at conventions but after a couple years, I got burned out on it. Luckily, there are people that want to keep it going.

This one caught my eye though:

“Since you and I are older, wouldn’t it be nice to see something like a beginners guide to classic anime?”

There are a couple events like that happening at AFO. Daryl Surat is doing a panel called “Anime 101: What You Should Know But Probably Don’t” that I recommend 90% of the convention attend. That will be Saturday afternoon.

I am doing a theme-focused panel called “It’s MANIME: The Manly Anime Panel!” that 100% of the convention should go to. However, the people that need to go to that panel more than anyone at the convention will be at the dance happening at the same time!

These are the kinds of things I would call actual anime events. Anime is being promoted and being discussed on a deeper level than what you would find at the average voice actor panel and people will come out enthused if the panel is good.

The general audience events that keep appearing more and more on the schedule that have anime in the title but don’t actually promote anime or try to get people into anime are not really anime events. Example: Anime Idol, which is just American Idol with anime put in the event title in a sad attempt to pass it off as relevant. (Note: I’m not saying that a singing competition is a bad idea!)

I know you push for Anime Dating Game but how is that an anime event? I know you said you are shy but it’s so easy to go up to people at conventions to socialize. You could almost say that the hallway is the “Anime” Dating Game, but with no structure.

However, I don’t want to shoot your idea down. The great thing about conventions is that the opportunity exists to step up and run those kinds of events if you really want them to happen. I work on anime events staff for MegaCon and AFO and I can bluntly tell you that nobody on either wants to actually run such an event. So it looks like someone will have to step up for it to happen…

Don’t let panels about cross-dressing turn you off from going to other panels! As a matter of fact, there are some really great panels happening at AFO that are about anime that are worth going to. Some are entertaining, some are educational, and some are a mix of both.

We need more of those events and people to run them. I hope that in the coming years, people can get into those roles of getting convention attendees excited about anime.

]]> Comment on Thoughts on Metrocon (And Other Stuff) by Kent Ward http://www.kentward.com/2010/07/metrocon-and-other-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-2326 Kent Ward Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:42:00 +0000 http://www.kentward.com/?p=877#comment-2326 @Stewart <br> "You mentioned the “Naruto Generation” being the main fan-base of cons and while it’s true, that series is at least 7-8 years old. If that’s the only thing they’ve bothered to see in so many years then they are definitely not anime fans, but fans of a show that happens to be made in Japan." <br> I agree with that statement. I'm not saying that's the only thing they watch, though. (It is true for some, probably.) Judging anime tastes from cosplay at Metrocon, recent shows like Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, Soul Eater, and Axis Powers Hetalia are popular with younger fans, but not as huge as Naruto, FMA, or even Bleach. I don't think the three afformentioned series have the ability to become mainstream hits. I truly wonder what anime will define the next generation of anime fans... <br> I don't think a decline in interest in anime will weed out those people from going to conventions. I think the exact opposite will happen. There will be more pandering to the audience that shows up but cares little of anime and while that happens, anime events will be an afterthought on the schedule. That will certainly turn off more anime fans. <br> The real solution is to get those who come to conventions that have a more passive interest in anime more enthusiastic about anime, both new and old. There are a lot of peers in our age group that could step up to the plate and pass on their knowledge and passion for anime to the newer generations. <br> If more people at conventions were more enthusiatic about anime, then there could be more relevant anime events and guests at conventions because the interest would be there. (The real reason we hardly see a Japanese anime/manga guest at a Florida convention is because the interest is not high enough to warrant the effort to get one.) @Stewart

“You mentioned the “Naruto Generation” being the main fan-base of cons and while it’s true, that series is at least 7-8 years old. If that’s the only thing they’ve bothered to see in so many years then they are definitely not anime fans, but fans of a show that happens to be made in Japan.”

I agree with that statement. I’m not saying that’s the only thing they watch, though. (It is true for some, probably.) Judging anime tastes from cosplay at Metrocon, recent shows like Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, Soul Eater, and Axis Powers Hetalia are popular with younger fans, but not as huge as Naruto, FMA, or even Bleach. I don’t think the three afformentioned series have the ability to become mainstream hits. I truly wonder what anime will define the next generation of anime fans…

I don’t think a decline in interest in anime will weed out those people from going to conventions. I think the exact opposite will happen. There will be more pandering to the audience that shows up but cares little of anime and while that happens, anime events will be an afterthought on the schedule. That will certainly turn off more anime fans.

The real solution is to get those who come to conventions that have a more passive interest in anime more enthusiastic about anime, both new and old. There are a lot of peers in our age group that could step up to the plate and pass on their knowledge and passion for anime to the newer generations.

If more people at conventions were more enthusiatic about anime, then there could be more relevant anime events and guests at conventions because the interest would be there. (The real reason we hardly see a Japanese anime/manga guest at a Florida convention is because the interest is not high enough to warrant the effort to get one.)

]]> Comment on Thoughts on Metrocon (And Other Stuff) by Chu http://www.kentward.com/2010/07/metrocon-and-other-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-2325 Chu Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:48:09 +0000 http://www.kentward.com/?p=877#comment-2325 Gah I miss Animerica, I covered my wall in a giant collage of pictures snipped from probably 5 years of that magazine. That magazine helped me get so much deeper into the hobby myself. Q 1.) What events and guests did you like going to see at Metrocon? Honestly, I didn’t go to many events. I saw the chess match and I was having a wow moment at Goku VS Vegeta but then everything felt like it took entirely too long. I went to Fairy Tale theater with Anirage and the Animebelles too which was utterly amazing. I didn’t see a whole lot else that really appealed to me. I hate the amv and costume contests because the noise is painful to my ears.. so I can watch that stuff later on youtube. Q 2.) Do you think Metrocon provided enough events and programming for anime fans to enjoy? Here is my cop-out; It’s really up to the fans that attended isn’t it? For me personally, No. I would’ve loved to go to one of those belly dancing classes they have at Mega (yeah, not anime but still they have ‘em sometimes) or if they taught us an anime dance that’d be even better (Bacchikoi BABY!). I keep posting that I hope some one will run an anime dating game.. and maybe one day I will stop being lazy and organize one myself but it’ll require effort that I don’t have the time to expend. I spent most of my time in the dealer room or playing with my friends from far far away lands or hunting down good looking male cosplayers. Kamina for the win by the way. Q 3.) Since you go to conventions, what do you think they could do to be better? That’s a hard question and it’s really easy to criticize something but to do so constructively is a challenge. Since you and I are older, wouldn’t it be nice to see something like a beginners guide to classic anime? I walked in on a panel at EXP Con that was going over some older animes that I hadn’t seen but the problem with it was contingency. There was nothing to make me remember other than the power of my own mind, which frankly can be flimsy at times especially when I am focused on having fun. I’m pretty sure AFO had karaoke – I would’ve loved to do that and yes in Japanese because that would be fun! I remember reading about a Kamina-off too where people had to give Kamina style speeches on a given topic and won his glasses as a prize. That would ring my bell. Instead of Chibi-pa just having that little area for their three pachinko machines I wish we had a designated kinda prize winning game parlor as opposed to mixing it in with the dealer area. Maybe an anime quick draw? The one where some one describes it to you and you have to draw the character or series or something like that. Or the “who am I” game where every one gets a sticker put on their back and they have to guess their character name. Pushing that anime dating game idea again here Loved the Ninja Olympics at Megacon, need more of that somewhere I really love what Wheldon Smiley does though props to him and his games, and the gentlemen that host the press your luck game, and Animebelle for her trivia even despite my finding it hard at times. And yes I realize this list is mostly physical stuff and game-ish but I have never been a huge panel person. At last year’s AFO my ex and I stopped in on a cross dressing panel.. and frankly that was terrifying. Gah I miss Animerica, I covered my wall in a giant collage of pictures snipped from probably 5 years of that magazine. That magazine helped me get so much deeper into the hobby myself.

Q 1.) What events and guests did you like going to see at Metrocon?
Honestly, I didn’t go to many events. I saw the chess match and I was having a wow moment at Goku VS Vegeta but then everything felt like it took entirely too long. I went to Fairy Tale theater with Anirage and the Animebelles too which was utterly amazing. I didn’t see a whole lot else that really appealed to me. I hate the amv and costume contests because the noise is painful to my ears.. so I can watch that stuff later on youtube.

Q 2.) Do you think Metrocon provided enough events and programming for anime fans to enjoy?
Here is my cop-out; It’s really up to the fans that attended isn’t it? For me personally, No. I would’ve loved to go to one of those belly dancing classes they have at Mega (yeah, not anime but still they have ‘em sometimes) or if they taught us an anime dance that’d be even better (Bacchikoi BABY!). I keep posting that I hope some one will run an anime dating game.. and maybe one day I will stop being lazy and organize one myself but it’ll require effort that I don’t have the time to expend.
I spent most of my time in the dealer room or playing with my friends from far far away lands or hunting down good looking male cosplayers. Kamina for the win by the way.

Q 3.) Since you go to conventions, what do you think they could do to be better?
That’s a hard question and it’s really easy to criticize something but to do so constructively is a challenge. Since you and I are older, wouldn’t it be nice to see something like a beginners guide to classic anime? I walked in on a panel at EXP Con that was going over some older animes that I hadn’t seen but the problem with it was contingency. There was nothing to make me remember other than the power of my own mind, which frankly can be flimsy at times especially when I am focused on having fun.

I’m pretty sure AFO had karaoke – I would’ve loved to do that and yes in Japanese because that would be fun!

I remember reading about a Kamina-off too where people had to give Kamina style speeches on a given topic and won his glasses as a prize. That would ring my bell.

Instead of Chibi-pa just having that little area for their three pachinko machines I wish we had a designated kinda prize winning game parlor as opposed to mixing it in with the dealer area.

Maybe an anime quick draw? The one where some one describes it to you and you have to draw the character or series or something like that. Or the “who am I” game where every one gets a sticker put on their back and they have to guess their character name.

Pushing that anime dating game idea again here

Loved the Ninja Olympics at Megacon, need more of that somewhere

I really love what Wheldon Smiley does though props to him and his games, and the gentlemen that host the press your luck game, and Animebelle for her trivia even despite my finding it hard at times.

And yes I realize this list is mostly physical stuff and game-ish but I have never been a huge panel person. At last year’s AFO my ex and I stopped in on a cross dressing panel.. and frankly that was terrifying.

]]> Comment on Thoughts on Metrocon (And Other Stuff) by Stewart http://www.kentward.com/2010/07/metrocon-and-other-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-2324 Stewart Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:41:38 +0000 http://www.kentward.com/?p=877#comment-2324 I agree 100% with what was said here. As a whole Metrocon has been the worst experience for me as far as anime conventions go. I've gone 3 times in the past and never enjoyed myself; the panels have always been pretty bad, the dealers room is a joke, and I don't know about the screening rooms because just about every time I've gone they were always broken. As for fandom, it's been downhill for about 3-4 years now and I don't see it climbing back up too soon. You mentioned the "Naruto Generation" being the main fan-base of cons and while it's true, that series is at least 7-8 years old. If that's the only thing they've bothered to see in so many years then they are definitely not anime fans, but fans of a show that happens to be made in Japan. I do hope for the best though, this decline of interest in anime over the years will possibly weed out the "sometimes" fans and leave us with actual anime viewers that go to conventions for the express purpose of discussing anime. I have hope that it'll lead to nothing but anime panels, events and viewing rooms. Well, that's my 2 cents anyway. I agree 100% with what was said here. As a whole Metrocon has been the worst experience for me as far as anime conventions go. I’ve gone 3 times in the past and never enjoyed myself; the panels have always been pretty bad, the dealers room is a joke, and I don’t know about the screening rooms because just about every time I’ve gone they were always broken.

As for fandom, it’s been downhill for about 3-4 years now and I don’t see it climbing back up too soon. You mentioned the “Naruto Generation” being the main fan-base of cons and while it’s true, that series is at least 7-8 years old. If that’s the only thing they’ve bothered to see in so many years then they are definitely not anime fans, but fans of a show that happens to be made in Japan.

I do hope for the best though, this decline of interest in anime over the years will possibly weed out the “sometimes” fans and leave us with actual anime viewers that go to conventions for the express purpose of discussing anime. I have hope that it’ll lead to nothing but anime panels, events and viewing rooms.

Well, that’s my 2 cents anyway.

]]> Comment on A Cause For REAL MEN To Get Behind by Kent Ward http://www.kentward.com/2010/07/a-cause-for-real-men-to-get-behind/comment-page-1/#comment-2323 Kent Ward Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:34:00 +0000 http://www.kentward.com/?p=833#comment-2323 Wow, they are actually releasing Tales of Earthsea in U.S. Theaters!? That totally flew under my radar! Thanks for the info! I will be in the testosterone fest regardless, but I'll be sure to catch Tales of Earthsea the day after. Wow, they are actually releasing Tales of Earthsea in U.S. Theaters!? That totally flew under my radar! Thanks for the info!

I will be in the testosterone fest regardless, but I’ll be sure to catch Tales of Earthsea the day after.

]]> Comment on A Cause For REAL MEN To Get Behind by Andrew Fitta http://www.kentward.com/2010/07/a-cause-for-real-men-to-get-behind/comment-page-1/#comment-2322 Andrew Fitta Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:53:40 +0000 http://www.kentward.com/?p=833#comment-2322 Not so fast, I have a counterpoint. After recovering from AFO, which is August 6-8, the following weekend their are so many movie choices coming out that next weekend. There's the chick flick with Julia Roberts There's the one with the meatheads that blame the action hero genre downturn on Batman and not, ohh I dunno, Judge Dredd or Last Action Hero. There that one that looks like a video game with Michael Cera, which looks multiple shades of awesome. What? I liked the comics. Yet, their's one other movie coming out. The first ever Miyuzaki movie. No, not the guy that used to make good movies like Totoro, Spirited Away, or Howl's Moving Castle. Coming August 13th is Goro Miyuzaki's "Tales of Earthsea". http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/earthsea/#/videos Why did it take so long to get here? You can thank Syfy. They had the rights to the Earthsea story and make a SciFi Original. Wouldn't you like to show them how the story could have been told? I mean besides reading the books. August 13th, You know what to do. Sure you can sit in a crowded theater and watch a testosterone fest, or estrogen fest, or a geek fest. Protip: Some movie theaters have deals on other nights of the week or reduce prices so later in the week go see one of those. Or you can make a stand. You can see adventure, see heroics, see magic, and piss off Syfy all for the price of a movie ticket to Tales of Earthsea. Unless it's not playing in the area, then walk, run or get dragging kicking and screaming to one of those other fine movies. Not so fast, I have a counterpoint.

After recovering from AFO, which is August 6-8, the following weekend their are so many movie choices coming out that next weekend.

There’s the chick flick with Julia Roberts
There’s the one with the meatheads that blame the action hero genre downturn on Batman and not, ohh I dunno, Judge Dredd or Last Action Hero.
There that one that looks like a video game with Michael Cera, which looks multiple shades of awesome.

What? I liked the comics.

Yet, their’s one other movie coming out. The first ever Miyuzaki movie. No, not the guy that used to make good movies like Totoro, Spirited Away, or Howl’s Moving Castle. Coming August 13th is Goro Miyuzaki’s “Tales of Earthsea”.

http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/earthsea/#/videos

Why did it take so long to get here? You can thank Syfy. They had the rights to the Earthsea story and make a SciFi Original.
Wouldn’t you like to show them how the story could have been told?
I mean besides reading the books.

August 13th, You know what to do.
Sure you can sit in a crowded theater and watch a testosterone fest, or estrogen fest, or a geek fest.
Protip: Some movie theaters have deals on other nights of the week or reduce prices so later in the week go see one of those.

Or you can make a stand. You can see adventure, see heroics, see magic, and piss off Syfy all for the price of a movie ticket to Tales of Earthsea.

Unless it’s not playing in the area, then walk, run or get dragging kicking and screaming to one of those other fine movies.

]]> Comment on Thoughts on Metrocon (And Other Stuff) by Kent Ward http://www.kentward.com/2010/07/metrocon-and-other-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-2320 Kent Ward Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:51:58 +0000 http://www.kentward.com/?p=877#comment-2320 @Chu Let me clear up a few things real quick: 1.) I'm not saying you have to like Ghost in the Shell(or anything else I mentioned). But I think those series/movies are important to see because of the impact they have had on anime as a form of entertainment. Like I said before, I think if newer fans saw more of those classics, I think they would be into anime more. 2.) I'm not bashing Naruto. But if we were to define the most recent generation of fans by the biggest anime, Naruto and Full Metal Alchemist would be the ones to do it by. I come from the Dragonball Z and Sailor Moon era of anime fandom in the US. They weren't my first but they were the biggest ones. Depsite that, I had no problems with getting into anime much older than that. Magazines like Animerica were good at convincing me too. I wish there was a responsible source of information out there that the masses of anime fans could turn toward to find out what to check out after they start getting into anime. It's good that you had fun at Metrocon and congrats on your Pachinko victory. I have a few questions for you though, if you don't mind: Q 1.) What events and guests did you like going to see at Metrocon? Q 2.) Do you think Metrocon provided enough events and programming for anime fans to enjoy? Q 3.) Since you go to conventions, what do you think they could do to be better? Thank you for posting! It is much appreciated. @Chu

Let me clear up a few things real quick:

1.) I’m not saying you have to like Ghost in the Shell(or anything else I mentioned). But I think those series/movies are important to see because of the impact they have had on anime as a form of entertainment. Like I said before, I think if newer fans saw more of those classics, I think they would be into anime more.

2.) I’m not bashing Naruto. But if we were to define the most recent generation of fans by the biggest anime, Naruto and Full Metal Alchemist would be the ones to do it by. I come from the Dragonball Z and Sailor Moon era of anime fandom in the US. They weren’t my first but they were the biggest ones. Depsite that, I had no problems with getting into anime much older than that. Magazines like Animerica were good at convincing me too. I wish there was a responsible source of information out there that the masses of anime fans could turn toward to find out what to check out after they start getting into anime.

It’s good that you had fun at Metrocon and congrats on your Pachinko victory. I have a few questions for you though, if you don’t mind:

Q 1.) What events and guests did you like going to see at Metrocon?

Q 2.) Do you think Metrocon provided enough events and programming for anime fans to enjoy?

Q 3.) Since you go to conventions, what do you think they could do to be better?

Thank you for posting! It is much appreciated.

]]> Comment on Thoughts on Metrocon (And Other Stuff) by Chu http://www.kentward.com/2010/07/metrocon-and-other-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-2314 Chu Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:26:10 +0000 http://www.kentward.com/?p=877#comment-2314 Kent I suppose you are right about a lot of the things that you mentioned in the review, and I feel like less of a fan in some ways which I am certain is not your intention (maybe because I never got into any part of GITS?). However; I like that Cinderella moment. It's fun! I like that I can be shy for reasons other than my own social stigmas when I'm in character. I would like to add that I believe a lot of what makes Naruto the way it is simply is the fans. It isn't a super great series and I am willing to admit that it has a lot of filler and even that it is lacking in a point a lot of the time (Why are we chasing Sasuke again, exactly ?). I completely agree with your commentary about the lack of knowledge about anime. I remember when I was the age that most of these con-goers are now I was hunting stuff down, looking for the classics like Ranma 1/2, Evangelion and Lupin the 3rd. I wish these kids had a little more dedication to their hobby than just slapping on a wig (sans the wig cap) and carrying around a doll too. I wish I had a lawn to chase them off of. On that note though I did win at Pachinko and I got a pass to Chibi-Pa. Hopefully it will be great, I have heard there is an age limit on getting in and I certainly hope that it is true.. despite how illogical it sounds. Kent I suppose you are right about a lot of the things that you mentioned in the review, and I feel like less of a fan in some ways which I am certain is not your intention (maybe because I never got into any part of GITS?). However; I like that Cinderella moment. It’s fun! I like that I can be shy for reasons other than my own social stigmas when I’m in character.

I would like to add that I believe a lot of what makes Naruto the way it is simply is the fans. It isn’t a super great series and I am willing to admit that it has a lot of filler and even that it is lacking in a point a lot of the time (Why are we chasing Sasuke again, exactly ?). I completely agree with your commentary about the lack of knowledge about anime. I remember when I was the age that most of these con-goers are now I was hunting stuff down, looking for the classics like Ranma 1/2, Evangelion and Lupin the 3rd. I wish these kids had a little more dedication to their hobby than just slapping on a wig (sans the wig cap) and carrying around a doll too. I wish I had a lawn to chase them off of.

On that note though I did win at Pachinko and I got a pass to Chibi-Pa. Hopefully it will be great, I have heard there is an age limit on getting in and I certainly hope that it is true.. despite how illogical it sounds.

]]> Comment on Thoughts on Metrocon (And Other Stuff) by Noah http://www.kentward.com/2010/07/metrocon-and-other-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-2312 Noah Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:36:32 +0000 http://www.kentward.com/?p=877#comment-2312 I think the only way Metrocon would see reform is if all the kiddies that want to hang out actually just went there to hang out without buying a pass. Unlike Megacon, Metro has no check in point that requires you to have a badge. My lady friend and I went to the rave and I was actually kinda of surprised to see that there was no security telling us to leave. Speaking of the security guards at Metro, some of those guys are on serious power trips. I head of one incident where a con-goer made a face at one of the guards while standing in line and his reaction? He cut the kid's badge off. Now I'm a fan of punishing stupidity but I mean seriously? That's a bit much. I think the only way Metrocon would see reform is if all the kiddies that want to hang out actually just went there to hang out without buying a pass. Unlike Megacon, Metro has no check in point that requires you to have a badge. My lady friend and I went to the rave and I was actually kinda of surprised to see that there was no security telling us to leave. Speaking of the security guards at Metro, some of those guys are on serious power trips. I head of one incident where a con-goer made a face at one of the guards while standing in line and his reaction? He cut the kid’s badge off. Now I’m a fan of punishing stupidity but I mean seriously? That’s a bit much.

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