Animazement 2003

Durham, North Carolina. May 23rd through May 25th, 2003. Three days of peace, love, anime, Ramune, kendo, anime, scary people, artwork, anime, lack of money, swords, and have I mentioned anime?

Kate attended Animazement with her sister Julie, a few of Julie's friends, and a bunch of people she didn't expect to share a hotel room with. All was well and good, however. Here's her brief report, along with the pictures she and Julie took. WARNING: Some images may not be suitable for people with taste. Wait, you're at our site...nevermind. ^_^

The Pictures

Sailor Moon Sightings

Sailor Star Fighter Sailor Moon Sailor Chibi-Moon...kinda Rubeus and Tellu Another Sailor Star Fighter Sailor Mercury and Sailor Jupiter Sailor Pluto

Assorted Cosplay

Aeris from Final Fantasy VII Nicholas Wolfwood from Trigun Tzusuki and Muraki from Yami No Matsuei Amantha as Lina Inverse from Slayers Tifa from Final Fantasy VII Heather as San from Princess Mononoke Gee, I wonder what the popular character was this year... Rikku and Yuna from Final Fantasy X Kenshin plays DDR? Julie as Ed from Cowboy Bebop Nabeshin from Excel Saga Milly, Wolfwood, and Vash from Trigun

The Slayers Fan Panel

Lina introduces the panel. Gourry looks 2-D today... Zelgadis lost his outfit at the dry cleaners. During the quiz, Zelos passes out candy...AND PAIN! Things to do with Filia as told by Zelos. Gourry sits by Conrad while Valgaav looks on. Lina and Valgaav go at it! The host of 'Whose Line is it Anime?', Vroomian Clone #384. Temporary cease fire? Hello, and welcome to Whose Line is it Anime? The contestants listen for the first game. Zelos ponders his next brilliant comeback. Whaddya mean, 'World's Worst'? Zelgadis giggles in glee. Julie hands over the holy banana. Lampshade Girl interrupts the show. And the winner is...Lampshade Girl!

Friends

Carly monkeys around in the hotel room Lamps make excellent wig holders! Lindsay prepares her costume... It's Inu Mantle V! ^_^ Lampshade Girl makes the scene! Julie plays DDR as Ed Kate in her homemade kimono. Thanks, Gram! Heather plays DDR in her San costume Chris and Lindsay play around as Tzusuki and Muraki. Don't ask. We did, and we found out we shouldn't have...

Kate's Report (Abridged)

Con highs:

  • Anime Hell- Three hours of the strangest, scariest, and most unusual cartoons, films, videos, and commercials from around the world. Highlights include Minky Momo and the Truck, Jan-Jan Junko-chan, Gogo the Dinosaur, and the Godzilla film.
  • Dealer's Room- Ooo, lots of toys, all for me. ^_^
  • The good cosplayers- Of which there were many. Saw lots of cool costumes, and some really above average stuff.
  • Jaek- And the expression on his face when he momentarily decended into the madness to take me out to dinner. I think he's scarred for life. ^_^
  • The Video Contest- My favs include Manga Maniac, Serve the Hive, and of course...LEAVES OF HAPPINESS!
  • Fanboy Bebop- Funniest damn con parody ever. "Bishies, bishies, bishies!"
  • Lupin and Miyazaki- Got to see the famous "Albatross: Wings of Death" and "Farewell, Beloved Lupin" episodes of the second series. In Japanese. Coolness.
  • Akira Kamiya- Better known to Sailor Moon fans as Professor Tomoe from the S Season. Did a fun and somewhat interactive session on acting in cartoons.
  • The Slayers Fan Panel- Okay, all I've seen is the movie and the episode with 11 Nagas, so I can't really judge. But it went well according to my sister's friends, who ran it this year. ^_^

Con lows:

  • Sharing a room with 6 other people- No offense to you lovely temporary roommates, but seven in a room is a bit much. I'll be in my own room next year, thank you very much.
  • Chi- I have nothing against Chobits, but there were approximately 4,356 Chis running around the con. For the record, there were also a fair number of Nabeshins and Vashs.
  • Hotel Prices- $1 for a canned beverage? 80 cents for a bag of substandard chips? Phew.
  • Anime Channel- Future Boy Conan may be Miyazaki, but it was kinda bleh. Some show I can't remember, so whatever. Captain Harlock, taped right off of Japanese TV and without subs, meh. Only benefit: Japanese commercials and the scary smiling kitty. Nya! Don't get me wrong, I love retro anime, but can't we diversify a bit next year? I really don't have the span at con to watch an entire anime in one sitting. Mix it up; maybe even throw in a movie or two.
  • Handcuffs- I have nothing against them, really. But I saw way too many for my own comfort. And sadly, no Zenigata in sight. ^_^ (Well, at least that I saw anyway.)

Disclaimer: Sailor Moon is copyright 1992, Takeuchi Naoko, Toei Animation, TV Asahi, DIC, Cloverway, Bandai, and other associated companies. We are not affiliated with any restaurants mentioned on this page in any way. Any copyrighted terminology on this page was used as parody/satire under fair use laws. This is a fan page and does not earn profit in any way, shape, or form. Yeah right, like people would pay money for this. Most people wouldn't waste time on this (except us!), let alone money.

This page was copyrighted October 2000 upon creation by J & K.