For most people, the anime convention season ends in California with Anime Expo (and until this year, Anime America). Hundreds of East Coast anime enthusiasts make the pilgrimage to California to attend the mother of all anime conventions. But unlike their west coast compatriots, anime fanatics east of the Mississippi still have one more convention to look forward to: Otakon, the self-proclaimed convention of an otaku generation.
As usual, Otakon 1997 brought together a wide variety of guests from the industry and fandom. Manga industry guests included Ippongi Bang, Yab Hiroaki, Kimura Kuni, Steve Bennett, and Kato Reijiro. Adam Warren, Robert DeJesus, John Staton, and Matt Lunsford serve as American complements to the Japanese guests. Anime industry guests included Production Coordinator Jeff Thompson, translator Neil Nadelman, and voice actors Scott Simpson and Juliet Cesario.
From the opening of the convention straight through to the close, there was always something for an adventurous attendee to see. The many events of the convention were extremely well attended, with people having to be turned away at the bigger events, such as the Masquerade and the concert given by special guest Ippongi Bang (fresh from her appearance earlier this year at Texas-based A-kon).
Ippongi Bang entertained the audience with many familiar songs. Her routine included themes from EVANGELION, URUSEI YATSURA, CUTEY HONEY, FIST OF THE NORTH STAR, and even DRAGONBALL (Z) and SAILOR MOON. And the audience was also kept in good humor by the antics of some of the other guests during the concert.
The masquerade, in what seems to be the norm for conventions, experienced long delays for setup. Once underway it was extremely entertaining. Costumes ranged from the usual Ranma to Sailor Moon but also included characters from VAMPIRE HUNTER , STREET FIGHTTER, LUPIN and EVANGELION. One Guyver skit, complete with chest cannon, in particular was quite...illuminating. Fan reaction to a DragonBall skit with a Kamehameha light-show was spectacular. And Washuu seemed to be a favorite among certain audience members. However for most people, the Evangelion angel and Pen-pen costumes won the most attention. The Masquerade was divided into two parts - competitive and non-competitive. In general, the non-competetive skits were more humorous, with an anime version of FACE/OFF being especially memorable.
The dealers room was filled to the bursting point with dozens of vendors ready to sell their wares. Some were hard hit by the recent UPS strike; much of the merchandise was stuck behind picket lines. Still, vendors left lighter than they had come, and attendees left much heavier and happier, albeit poorer.
Other events included numerous panels, a music video workshop, a modelling workshop, a cosplay workshop, an art show and auction, video game tournaments, LARP, karaoke, cel-painting work shops, subtitling work shops, and more. Otakon actually devoted a special video room to run a FUSHIGI YUUGI marathon. Representatives from clubs all along the east coast also attended the first annual Otakon Club summit, where many issues concerning clubs were discussed. And the sleeper hit of the convention was: Mystery Anime Theatre 3000. Video gamers were also very pleased with the arrangements that the convention had set up for video game purposes. Otakon managed even to bring down its very own STREET FIGHTER ALPHA 2 arcade machine.
Unlike other anime conventions, Otakon consistently likes to venture into the world of live-action. Since its conception, Otakon has maintained at least one programming track of Hong-Kong and live-action films. The popularity of this track is unquestionable, as they sometimes draw a higher attendance than the anime videos. Godzilla and Jackie Chan tend to be favorites of more than a few attendees.
Yet perhaps the biggest part of the convention is not included in the program book or on the schedule. The parties held by fan clubs and other groups are the life's blood of the event. Enthusiasts gathered together with gusto, and celebrated their common pastime. Many of the more experienced con-goers say that they come more to the convention to socialize with friends and to get together with acquaintances than for the convention events.

News at the convention

One of the more newsworthy events of the show occurred during the U.S. Anime Industry Panel. Representatives from four anime companies showed up to discuss various topics of the industry this year. Seated from left to right are Matt Greenfield (ADVision), Robert Woodhead (AnimEigo), John Sirabella (Formerly with Software Sculptors, now with Media Blasters), and Jeff Thompson (The Right Stuf).
The representatives talked with audience members with many of the hotter topics right now. DVD was discussed to some degree, with AnimEigo citing plans to release their long-time favorite BUBBLEGUM CRISIS on a single DVD. Media Blasters is in the process of acquiring several more adult titles, and has already begun to release the risque OGENKI CLINIC series. The biggest announcement of the convention came when Jeff Thompson announced that The Right Stuf had acquired IRRESPONSIBLE CAPTAIN TYLOR.
Furthermore, an innovative and bold new marketing strategy was created for this new title. The Right Stuf announced their "fansub amnesty" policy. Customers can get $10 off their purchase of Volume 1 of TYLOR, which is scheduled for release in mid October. More information is available at The Official Irresponsible Tylor Web Site.
Also at the convention, perennial guest Steve Bennett arrived with partners Kimura Kuni, and Ippongi Bang. Together they have formed a new American manga publishing house: Studio Ironcat and have announced four titles: OGENKI CLINIC, VAMPIRE PRINCESS MIYU, FLAG FIGHTERS, and DOCTOR! In the works are the CUTEY HONEY manga series, and Matsumoto Leiji's books.
With more than 1750 people in attendance, Otakon痴 future looks good. Dates have not yet been set, but in all likelihood, next year the convention will be held around the same time. Otakon is currently working on a contract for a hotel in the Washington D.C. area.

Special thanks to Jeff Thompson, Steve Bennett, and David C. Asher