Monday, 7/7/97 Japanese Anime Expo ’97 reveals, celebrates
unique aspect of culture Collecting videos, art, memorabilia
quickly becomes an obsession
While the rest of America was scarfing down hot dogs and setting
off fireworks, I spent this Independence Day weekend at Anime Expo
1997 with 3,000 others, celebrating anime, a part of Japanese
culture. What? Enema? No. Japanese animation. For those who don’t
know what I am talking about, don’t feel bad. All will be
explained. I am actually fairly new to the anime thing. (Yes, I am
a newbie … just don’t spread it around, OK?) Surprisingly enough,
The Bruin played a key part in this new obsession of mine. The
trouble started when I was assigned to do a piece on UCLA’s
Japanese Animation Club. (Everyone reading this column should join
the club. Spread the disease! Spread the disease!) Since then I’ve
been slowly morphing into an anime character – putting my hair in
pig tails, interspersing Japanese phrases into my speech, being
super-cute – or kawaii – and getting into Japanese culture. (By the
way, I am baby-sitting a Tamagotchi virtual pet because it is the
rage in Japan. His name is Shinji.) Japanese animation is
essentially cartoons that are made in Japan. But anime art has a
distinctive look and the humor has a certain energy. Teen-agers
openly confess their feelings, robots are piloted by 14-year-old
kids, boys turn into girls when they get wet, girls fall into
different worlds and suddenly gain magical powers … Basically
though, there are two types of anime, shoujo for girls and shonen
for guys. Oh, and let’s not forget hentai. Hentai is … how can I
explain this … it’s uh … porno anime. There, I said it. But
don’t believe the rumors; anime is not all naked ladies and big
robots. "Speed Racer," "Sailor Moon" and "Robotech" are examples of
anime that have made its way to mainstream American culture. Most
of the really, really good stuff you won’t find on television,
though. You’ll have to buy it or join a club. (Spread the disease!
Spread the disease!) Anyway, so this July 4th weekend I was at AX
’97 with tons of other otaku – crazy, scary, pyscho fans.
(Actually, being labeled otaku is not really a good thing. I’m not
otaku. Really, I’m not.) It was a very fun and interesting weekend.
The event was held at the LAX Hilton and there was a lot happening.
There were industry meetings, forums, art exhibits, screenings,
special guests from Japan and, of course, the Dealer’s Room. The
Dealer’s Room was a exhibition room where various companies sell
stuff – anime stuff. And it was a madhouse. People were fighting
over various CDs, toys, posters, models and videos … Once you
find something you just gotta have, hang onto it with all of your
life. I’ve heard stories of CDs being yanked out of other people’s
hands. It is also really cramped and people get pretty close –
totemo, totemo close; so for those of you who don’t wear deodorant,
BUY A STICK. NOW!!! Another warning: Even though most of the
merchandise is tax free for the Expo, there are a lot of really bad
deals. Be sure to shop carefully. They have so many neat things
that it’s really difficult to have self-control. Myself? The damage
was around $200. Ksoh! I know, I am weak. I am so ashamed. Oh,
well, I got tons of cool stuff. Another place to spend your money
is on fan art. (Wait, Shinji is beeping at me. He just went to the
bathroom. Hold on.) Back to the art: There was a gallery of
fan-drawn art, some of which was extremely amazing. Models entered
for the model competition were also on display. There was a totemo
kawaii mechanical cabbit (half rabbit, half cat) that could move
its ears and meow. One does not have to have money to have fun at
the expo though. One of the main draws to the convention is the
guests of honor from Japan. Voice actor Akira Kamiya (Ryo Saeba
from "City Hunter" and Roy Fokker from "Macross"), animator
Nobuteru Yuuki ("The Vision of Escaflowne"), director Kazuo
Yamazaki ("Urusei Yatsura" and "Maison Ikkoku"), voice actress
Chisa Yokoyama (Pretty Sami from "Pretty Sami" and Flute from "The
Violinist of Hamelin") and many others made appearances. And for
those who know Yokoyama’s work, her normal voice is really
high-pitched too! She is just so cute. No, I mean very cute –
totemo, totemo kawaii!! Guests of honor held forums and
autographing sessions and the lines rivaled those at Disneyland.
The three days at the expo were like trips to Disneyland in various
ways. Instead of people chasing down Mickey Mouse for a photo
opportunity, camera-wielding fans were yelling, "Nuriko! Nuriko!,"
as they ran after fans dressed as their favorite anime characters.
On Saturday night, the contenders presented their costumes in a big
masquerade contest. The Ranma gang’s performance was hilarious.
Others danced, some performed skits and one guy proposed marriage.
And as always, some otaku guy had to dress as bikini-clad Sailor
Starlight. Kiaaahh! I was very frightened. After the masquerade
there was karaoke and a showing of music video nominations. All and
all, the entire three days were just crazy. It was a fun place
where people of different backgrounds from all over the world could
come together and enjoy anime. Stephanie "Sana-chan" Sheh is a
third-year communications studies student. Stephanie Sheh Previous
Daily Bruin Story: Anime Action, November 11, 1996