BLOGGER TEMPLATES AND Friendster Layouts »

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

2012 Conventions Year in Review

2012 is a year most convention goers would never forget . It was a year of high and lows but plenty of action So I thought a great thing to do is a wrap up of everything

Conventions
2012 saw two conventions go from up and comers to Super Star conventions . Now before the beginning of the year I have never been to these before nor did I have any mates working at these conventions .But the sheer friendly and helpful nature of the staff go beyond anything I have ever seen before . First was akumakon in its second year with their highlights being the Leo and Satan web series creators as special guests along Masoko X voice of Goku in DBZA and creator of the first Naruto Abridged . Now unlike many conventions previously that I attended the staff treated more like friends then a walking money sign. Special Thanks has to go out for James Fitzgerald Sharon Nolan and John Burke who stood out as helpful and welcoming staff that as a panelist for the first time made everyone feel relaxed and were extremely helpful . Then in August Akumakon decided to up their game by announcing at Nomcon 2012 a Hirokatsu Kihara a artist who has worked with Studio Giblhi and has his own manga based on Inishmore and the producer of Inyusha and Detective Conan shows along with allowing me to do a panel outside the traditional standards by showing a Gore Fest Panel . Surely 2013 will make Akumakon a jewel not just in the Irish Con Scene but being a shiny example to other conventions in other countries.



Arcadecon 
Next on the list is Arcadecon 2012 . While Akumakon is the jewel of the anime con scene Arcadecon was the Craziest Convention ever on different levels. unlike most conventions that focus on different areas . this con now on its 3rd run is balanced level on all accounts with activities for everyone . With a small list of highlights being the vita showcase of the ps vita The voice actor of Raiden from Metal Gear Solid Larp group Camerilla Larp Shinjuku Game and Jet Set Radio/Professor Elemental performance on the Saturday of the Convention. At this point the only thing that could stop the convention from becoming the bigger and better Comic Con is the element of Time . Declan and his crew were helpful and friendly and kept everything on time


Artwork provided by Kick Start Designs kevin Smyth
To see more of there work https://www.facebook.com/kickstartdesigns?ref=ts&fref=ts
Like them and share the work



Here's hoping 2013 will be a great year of anime Gaming and conventions where people can make friends and plenty of memories

AKB48 the anime review

Based on the AKB48 idol group is one of the strangest and yet brilliant hidden gems of 2012. Set in a universe where the organization has banned music and art as they disturb the heart. As a result of a planetary war. Now they don't explain why they have to do this . But 48 years after the laws have passed and a newly formed AKB0048 a underground miltant pop idol group that performs concerts for millions of people while avoiding or confronting the government's new police force called Des.

The story centres around a group of young girls who attended the early efforts of the band and are inspired to audition to be part of the group. From first glance of the story it seems a bit silly especially if you aren't too pushed on the pop heavy j-pop or sounds a bit too cutesy . But the what makes this show entertaining is the little things that just make this show so bizarre.First of all when they describe fight i mean shoot down police mechs(which are brilliant designed) by all sorts of random ways including a lazer show with high power  lazers ,bows that shoot electricity,and microphones that turn into lightsabers. But to be main stage isnt a straight road to run . These group of girls run away from hoe to train on Alibaster planet to become the new generation 77. They stay pure train dance practice and practically give up their whole lives to become these performers/fighters . but they arent the whole fighting force of the group .The die hard fans fight along side almost like suicide bombers to defend the group of 48 or so girls of different generations.
Yes the plot is over the top bit of fluff . But for what it is its entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable with a couple of mysteries like a member who is actually a robot , a manager that no one sees or how are they actually choosen . directed and created by the Shoji Kawamori who in the past has created Macross and Battle Ship Yamato 3/5 Light shows out of 5.