Anime USA 2014

This fun panel will give fans of the seemingly never-ending Final Fantasy series an outlet to discuss, complain, nerd rage, & generally get together to go over the many everything's of the FF universe. 

You can dye a wig? Yes you can! Come to this panel to learn what wigs to dye and what materials to use along with other basic tricks to start custom coloring your own wigs.

Remember when Sega released a system to compete with the Playstation? You don't? Well, regardless, check out this panel to see seven lesser-known games passed over by the gaming public.

Discover the history of Japanese school uniforms, the people who designed them, and find out how Japanese teenagers became the best dressed and fashionable school kids in the world.

My Cup of Tea is Anime USA’s proprietary Maid Café that began operation in 2009. We pride ourselves in providing attendees with an experience like that of a authentic Japanese maid café. Maid cafés employ waitresses in uniforms who serve customers with an upbeat attitude, while providing a laid-back and fun atmosphere for all to enjoy. Common in our café is the concept of “moe”, which is essentially lots of cuteness!

My Cup of Tea allows Anime USA attendees with opportunity to experience an interactive and affordable lunch experience during the Anime USA convention. We offer games available to play with a maid of your choosing, a photo opportunities with your friends and maids, adorable dance performances, and chances to participate in karaoke competitions, all while being able to enjoy a delicious meal.

Visit us for a one-of-a-kind experience at the next Anime USA event.

You've seen plenty of people at cons doing it, so it can't be too hard but you just don't know where to start. This panel will teach you how to choose a character, figure out what materials you need, find materials and put together your costume. Only extreme beginners need apply, if you've made a cosplay before you're probably overqualified!

Ever wonder how a family can travel comfortably Across Japan on a budget? Follow the Cross family as they share how they did it on their own with the help of the Internet, friends and a very useful guide book. Then YOU CAN do it, too!

Anime has spanned many decades with different trends, ideas, and philosophies that continue to challenge and change the spectrum of entertainment. From the humble beginnings of Astro Boy to the colossal heights of Attack on Titan, come witness the past, present, and future of anime and the global fandom that keeps it alive today.

Is RPGMaker too intimidating? Come join us as we explain the ins and outs of this amazing game engine. This is a basic rundown of how to use the tools, what parts you will need to focus on, and where to even begin in the game design process.

Every year the number of international students in Japan is increasing, mostly thanks to an active government policy to host 300,000 foreign students in Japan by 2020. This class will prepare you with information and cultural insight to pursue study abroad in Japan!

Have you always wanted to be in a con masquerade but never knew where to start? Well look no further! Learn how to go from an idea to a performance and get started on your way to showing your love on the stage!

A look into the wild world of Serial Experiments Lain. Half discussion, half lecture to talk about everything Lain related. Possible spoilers.

Curious as to where dances to popular Vocaloid songs like Happy Synthesizer and Luka Luka Night Fever originated from? This panel will tell you that and much more! Join us as we uncover a world of dancers and choreographers that build today’s Vocaloid and anime dance culture.

What makes a well-defined character? What makes characters relatable, interesting and deep? Why is it that female characters are rarely given the same depth and definition of their male counterparts?  We bring you some of the best examples of strong female characters and why they stand tall on their own merits. A product of Substandard Science.

Several high school anime fans get together to go to an anime con! See this original fan parody by Scott Meltzer once again on the big screen!

Have some extra material you don't want anymore? Too many buttons weighing you down? Want to see if there's something out there you're missing? Come check out Anime USA's Fabric Swap Meet, where you just might find some treasure in someone else's leftovers!

What's it like being Johnny? Find out or just sit in the back of the room making mean faces. I guess you could find something else to do like roam the halls or do homework but… lame. Show up; it's free.

Getting into the Video Gaming Industry has always been shrouded in mystery for a variety of reasons. This informational panel will try to unveil the mystery and provide some training resources that may help get your foot in the door.

This panel will go over all the what, where, when, how, & “WTF, I want that!”s of figure collecting. 

When franchises are adapted from one media to another, things are always lost in the change. Meanings, ideas or the overall plot can change wildly. From video games to movies, comics to television or even just manga to anime, come with us to delve into these wild changes and discover what happened along the way. A product of SubStandard Science.

Kantai Collection is the latest craze to come out of Japan, and currently is one of the most popular online games in the world. Come learn everything you need to know ship girls, their war against aliens, and most important of all how to ‘ship your ships!

So the next generation of consoles has come out and your old arcade stick no longer works. Well no worries! We will show you he to build a new one or modify the old!  Learn all you need to know to fight on into the future on weapons from the past. We will go over the basics of how to create or modify your own arcade authentic joystick controller, and how to use older generation controllers on newer consoles like the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Wii U.

An in-depth look at the Valkyria Chronicles videogame series, its ins and outs, and its other gameplay aspects. 

Come see what the talented AMV editors have submitted this year for you, the fans, to judge! You get to enjoy the hard work of others, and tell us which one you think stands above the rest. Come out and enjoy! Votes will be taken during this session and Saturday's session. A final show and awards will be given out on Sunday's session.

Ever wonder what it would be like if your favorite characters, heroes, villains, pirates and ninjas stopped fighting and instead danced away their differences? Well come to the dance off and find out. A hip-hop, classical and street exhibition like no other.

So you think Cosplay is something new, huh?  Not even close!  In the 19th century, the Victorians had a passion for dressing as medieval people and even staging jousting tournaments. Meanwhile, medieval people were crazy for dressing up as Romans.  And let's not forget Marie Antoinette's thing for dressing as a milkmaid!  In this lecture, we'll explore dressing up as people from other time periods...in other time periods.

Shoujo Rock Heaven is a returning panel featuring a large variety of all-girl bands who play rock, punk, and metal in Japan. We aim to share as many interesting and unique groups as we can in one of the most overlooked areas of Japanese music that is worth paying attention too.

Just when you thought you were safe, Awesomely Bad is back to unleash a whole new onslaught of wild, weird, and awful Japanese music videos for you to indulge in! Bring yourself, bring your friends, bring complete strangers and prepare to experience the deep hurting!

A historical look at structure in costuming.  This lecture will discuss the creative ways that people in the past gave stability and structure to their clothing and how you can use those same techniques to buttress and bolster your costume.

Have you ever wanted to waste your time singing about totally random stuff? Me neither… until I decided to come up with this totally random panel!

Want to get more out of your favorite show? Want to see hidden depths, or understand the latest widget series? Class is in session! Learn from a veteran fan and panelist how to take a series apart, expose its secrets, find (or create) deeper meaning, and have fun doing it!

This panel will be taking a critical look at some of the most beloved & popular anime that have come out in the past & recently. In this panel, feels are defamed, beloved series are ruined forever, & people’s buttons will be pressed, so bring lots of tolerance & open-mindedness.

In the Name of the Moon is a documentary about the 9 college friends who formed La Soldier, A Sailor Moon cosplay group. Exploring themes of fandom, cosplay, growing up, we see how passion unites and pushes us to do what we never thought was possible.

Join Anime USA’s resident steampunks for their third annual spirited discussion about steampunk fashions. Witness rather civilized debates about the merits of spats v. gaiters, ways to repurpose your grandmother’s old mink collars, and how much bustle skirt is too much bustle skirt.

Sciguy has been rigging for BDSM for over seven years, and has taught rope bondage for three. Let him show you the ropes and learn the basics of how to tie up your partner! This is an introductory panel that will demonstrate safety, basic single and two-column restraints, and harnesses.

Welcome to the highest court in the anime multi-verse. Anime Parliament® is where you can step forward as a character or fan, and institute the changes you feel should be made. Come and state your case! But remember: be ready for a debate, because you’ll certainly get one.

Ever watch an anime and drool at the delicious parade of animated sweets? We'll introduce you to all sorts of Japanese confections & how to make them!

As the name implies, we were a year longer than expected in serving this context-free smorgasbord but here it is...hot and fresh! Bite-sized AMV goodness for the attention span deprived.

4:1:2.5

If you know what that means this panel is for you! Japan is a nation that loves socks. Come find out everything you need to learn about socks, from picking the right pair for your outfit to the world dominating potential of the thigh highs!

Come see some of the more mature AMV submissions we’ve received over time.

This workshop will go beyond the basics of tying to include the subtle ways of introducing erotic aspects of Kinbaku. Students wishing to actively participate musthave experience with kinbaku/shibari. It is recommended that students come with a partner to bind and at least four lengths of 25 - 30 ft ropes. Alternatively, just come to watch. Attendance will be limited based on the space available.  No photography will be allowed.

This introductory panel will focus on the safety and feasibility of BDSM acts seen in popular media. BDSM must be done properly to ensure the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of all participants. We will demonstrate how to properly perform many of the common acts and present widelyaccepted safety precautions. We will also have a Q&A session. Our goal is to educate and promote safe, sane, and consensual kink and BDSM.

Here is a selection of AMVs you won't see played during general viewing hours due to their creepy, abstract, and sometimes violent nature. Be brave, come in, dare to stay for the entire show, and good luck sleeping afterward.

Inspired by Mystery Science Theater 3000 & Rifftrax, it's Riff Theater! A hilarious look at shows from the past that have us saying "What were they thinking!?" The panel offers a unique combination of riffing and standup that everyone can enjoy! Why not stop by?

Despair and trauma happen. But how does anime deal with it - and not in war films, but in general? Using Escaflowne (mechs), Sailor Moon (shoujo), Baccano (action/fantasy), Kill la Kill, and Persona 4 the Animation, this panel talks about reconciliation, hope, and navigating yourself.

Hey Pizanos! Do you like playing games for prizes, heckling poorly animated TV shows, or jumping on people’s heads for coins?  Come to the Super Mario Super Panel where we screen episodes of the classic 80’s TV show, play ridiculous games and pay tribute to the Mario Bros. A product of Substandard Science.

Celebrate the 10th anniversary of AMV Hell with this all new collection of rapid-fire clips that are sure to make you laugh. The management is not responsible for uncontrollable laughter.

It's back to torment you in many more ways. We have awful pranks, comedy which defies language barriers, weird commercials, extreme wrestling highlights, music videos that will make your jaw drop, and more televised insanity which Japan enjoys on a daily basis. If you feel a little dirty afterward, you'll be in good company.

Everyone who likes AMVs have favorites, even other editors. In fact, many AMVs serve as inspirations for the rest of fandoms. But which ones had the biggest impact? Come find out!

Anime used to be easily recognized and defined by its distinct art style and physical origin in Japan. However, in recent years it's become overwhelmingly apparent that the anime art style has influenced and been adopted by artists around the world, not just in Japan. Come explore the increasing amount of shows, both popular and obscure, that lay in this grey area of anime.

What do magical girls, ancient heroes, future cops, and giant robots have to do with political thought? More than you think! Come join in a discussion of the political themes throughout the works of the popular screenwriter Gen Urobuchi. Anime fans and politicos of all stripes welcome!

Do you like magical girls? If so then join us in celebrating Pretty Cure's 10th anniversary! Pretty Cure is a Sunday morning anime series that airs alongside Kamen Rider and Super Sentai. We will be discussing what makes this series so special and exploring all the series from Max Heart to Happiness Charge and beyond.

Do you want to make an AMV but don’t know where to start? Then this is the panel for you! Come by and learn what aspects separate the good from the bad!

Interested in getting into the video realm but don’t know where to start? AT Productions is here to help! We’ll discuss everything from planning, what gear to get, and editing-- we’ll even tell you what a C-47 is. No experience? No problem! Lots of experience? Come join the discussion!

Do you love books as much as you love anime? Come to this panel for great recommendations on genre fiction and light novels! This panel will also cover anime and manga adaptations of Japanese literature and provide suggestions for publishers to follow on Tumblr and Twitter.

We are a social community in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area that shares Japanese and English as a second language and acknowledges the best of both Japanese and American culture. We are thrilled to tell AnimeUSA about our language and culture community for anyone interested in studying Japanese or English as a second language or celebrating Japanese culture in the United States.

My Cup of Tea is Anime USA’s proprietary Maid Café that began operation in 2009. We pride ourselves in providing attendees with an experience like that of a authentic Japanese maid café. Maid cafés employ waitresses in uniforms who serve customers with an upbeat attitude, while providing a laid-back and fun atmosphere for all to enjoy. Common in our café is the concept of “moe”, which is essentially lots of cuteness!

My Cup of Tea allows Anime USA attendees with opportunity to experience an interactive and affordable lunch experience during the Anime USA convention. We offer games available to play with a maid of your choosing, a photo opportunities with your friends and maids, adorable dance performances, and chances to participate in karaoke competitions, all while being able to enjoy a delicious meal.

Visit us for a one-of-a-kind experience at the next Anime USA event.

From the co-creators of the Super Mario Super Panel and some hobos off the street comes a panel that delves deeper into the horrors of 80s licensed television. Play games, win prizes and discover how poorly informed your younger self was as we rediscover these "classics" pulled from the bowels of history. A product of Substandard Science.

So you've grown up, gotten out of college, found yourself in a job, and have started to pursue a serious relationship. When will you ever find time to roleplay! We discuss how the much loved geeky past-time of roleplaying changes as you mature, grow older, and gain new responsibilities. We will cover time management, topic management, how to respect people with varying roleplaying preferences and more. We will also go over many interesting roleplaying games that you probably haven't heard of, that work well for both adult sensibilities and time schedules. Come here to learn how to make your epic 3 year longDnD campaign survive the transition into adulthood! Young and old players and GMs alike welcome!

Join WyrdDaughl and GunKatCosplay for a humorous and informative introduction to crafting big props and cosplays. Benefit from our burns, melted mishaps and last-minute panic attacks, as we discuss cosplay materials and techniques for anything from fancy dresses to full plate armor.

X75 Productions proudly presents its debut film "Cos, Play, Life" followed by a Q&A session.

Ever wondered how zombies manage to spread their infection? Why did Makoto Shishio’s personality do a 180 after he was shot in the head? Why can’t hospitals in real life have rooms as large as they are in anime, and why do the patients in anime hospitals seem never to be connected to any machines? Join three real live medical students as we discuss (and debunk) the science and medicine behind your favorite anime series.

Steve shows you and talks about his epic experience of working on Cowboy Bebop.

A unique hip hop dance event Put on by dance team M.I.N.D. takes to the dance floor any challengers who think they have what it takes to dominate the wood. With classic and modern hip hop favorites being spun by live DJ.

These J-Pop dances are so old your grandparent's probably know them! Well, probably not, but you may remember these dances from the early 2000's! Join us as we discover the dances time has forgotten.

From the humble roots of Sally the Witch and Creamy Mami to the heights of Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura, and MadokaMagica, we look at series, inspirations and more to see what makes girls get up, go to school, and save the world.

Studio Cosplay is creating an exciting new workshop where Cosplayers can work on costumes, take photographs and learn about new techniques together. Learn how this non-profit organization plans to enrich the Cosplay community in the DC Metro and beyond and how you can get involved!

Learn about Lauren's and Michael's experiences with working on the explosive show "Attack on Titan".

While pop, rock, and even punk have done well in Japan, Japanese experimental music/noise has also seemed to thrive. We'll be examining its roots, and how major artists paved the way for well-known Japanese experimental/noise artists such as Merzbow, Hijokaidan, GEGEGEGEGE, Acid Mothers Temple, and many others. 

Have you finished an AMV or have rendered previews you’d like advice on from other editors? Bring your AMV on a USB drive and have an audience of Mika and other editors give you pointers and tips to improve your AMV and get it contest ready!

(Not to be confused with guest, Mika Takeuchi.)  

Join Studio Cosplay and guest photographers as we discuss how to get the perfect shots of your Cosplay in the studio or in the hall. We will cover photo-shoot etiquette, posing, weapon discipline, social networking, make-up and more!

Hi there! My name is Michele Knotz, and I've been a voice actress for about ten years now, but you know what? Enough about me! What about you? That's right! YOU! I'm tired of sitting at the front of panel rooms blabbing about my career. What do YOU have to offer ME? How can YOU entertain ME? Can you tell jokes? Can you act? Can you dance? Can you beat box? If you come to my panel and show me what you've got, I will have a prize for you! Feel free to bring muxic, props, anything you'd like! That's why this is Knotz Your Every Day Panel. I'm not going to talk about my life and entertain you. I want you to tell me about your life and entertain me!

The trilogies of Peter Jackson are the standard of knowledge for most fans in the Tolkien universe. But long before An Unexpected Journey, anime played the field when Studio TOPCRAFT made the first offering of Middle Earth on screen. Long passed-over by the regular otaku crowd, our investigative panelists would like to share a story with you of American company Rankin/Bass, TOPCRAFT, Tad Mochinaga, and the magical world called: “Animagic.” [A Manly Battleships™ Production]

In many ways, fanworks — fanfic, fanart, cosplay, and other forms of fan creativity — constitute the heart of our subculture. In this panel, we will discuss what they are, their role in our community, and why they constitute a unique way of engaging with our favorite narratives.

Friendship. Love. Murder. A plea for understanding. This panel examines the themes of magic, love, and truth in Higurashi When They Cry, and Umineko When They Cry.

Explore traditional Japanese men’s clothing from the Heian period though the Tokugawa, and how itwas worn. 

Several high school anime fans get together to go to an anime con! See this original fan parody by Scott Meltzer once again on the big screen!

Hear Lauren tell you about her work in the video game industry.

There is a strong postmodern tradition in animation, and particularly anime. But what is postmodernism? How do anime series – and anime fandom – use it? Why do some seem to fear or hate it? With examples from both classic and recent series, this panel will introduce you to postmodernism in anime.

Have dreams of one day seeing your stories published - or just want to write better fanfiction? We will break down the fundamental rules and rchetypes behind strong writing and compelling stories, with a few hilarious examples and lots of hands-on practice. Let us help you avoid triteness, tropes and other troubles with this crushingly candid panel.

Alone at the con? Come meet new friends at our third annual Board Game Party!

Are you a fan of Persona, Street Fighter, or DanganRonpa? What if I told you these series took inspiration from a single manga series? Come and learn in what ways, and discover other series that have been inspired by Jojo's Bizarre Adventure.

Have your last 5 relationships ended because you showed your ex-girlfriends Wicked City? Have you forced your date to watch Hetalia, and then wondered why he never called you back? Come find out how to introduce your special someone to the wonderful world of anime, without them running away.

More and more anime shows are getting the live action treatment nowadays. But, Are all of them really worth your time? Come join us as we take a closer look at some of your favorite shows that have gotten the big (or low) budget live action treatment!

Some called this the sequel to “This Is Otakudom” The truth is far from this! Come see the fan parody Scott Meltzer and NoN.D.E. Films came up with in 2005.

The Harvest Moon video game franchise has captured the hearts of many gamers. Come hear the interesting history behind this lovely series, participate in trivia, and share your love for Harvest Moon with those around you! Who knows... you might even receive a blue feather!

Think Japanese schoolgirls are all sweet and innocent? Welcome to the days when the halls of high school were as dangerous as the streets, when gangs of schoolgirls ruled Japan with shinai and mini-skirts!

From the Rococo daydreams in Kamikaze Girls to the infamous pirate outfit in Gankutsuou, Japanese culture has always been enamored with the ornate 17th, 18th, and 19th century fashions and aesthetic of European culture. Ranging from the days of the raffuru, a European style pleated and starched ruff, western fashions have fascinated and inspired Japanese designers and artists. Take a look at why this might be and discuss some of your favorite examples.

Tips and tricks to take your Cosplay to the next level! Learn about Worbla, Fosshape, Wonderflex, and more. Presented by Studio Cosplay, a non-profit organization located in the DC Metro area with plans to open a studio space in 2015 with equipment for all Cosplayers.

Did you enjoy shows like Transformers, Robotech, or Voltron? Take a trip through time as we showcase animated shows from the 1980s, and learn a thing or two about the trends found in the shows that you watched.

Are you interested in Tokyo street fashion? Come discuss popular fashion styles such as Lolita, Gyaru, and Ganguro as seen in series such as Nana, Durarara!! and Paradise Kiss.

Shaft’s license to print money is more than head tilts and toothbrushes, honest! Join four snobs on a wild ride as they delve into the world of the Monogatari series, featuring discussions of its themes, story, music, and, of course, who is “best girl”.

Cosplayers, performances, and shenanigans abound! The Anime USA Cosplay Masquerade features them all.

What is a Masquerade you say? Cosplayers and costumers alike come together to show off their performance and craftsmanship skills in one exciting and entertaining show! Performers will be judged for their talent of entertaining a crowd, bringing their favorite series and shows to life through dance, comedy, or even drama. Meanwhile seamstresses and tailors show off their amazing work to bring beloved characters to life on stage.

Ever listen to a popular song and said “Hey! This sounds like it could make an amazing AMV!”? Or maybe you’ve watched an AMV contest and wanted to know what goes into making the very entries you watched on the big screen. Now’s your chance to see what making an AMV is all about! We’ll go over different programs and their difficulty of use, different editing techniques, and preview an in-progress AMV by Mika.

(Not to be confused with guest, Mika Takeuchi.) 

A guide to help you get started on cosplay props and armor made out of foam, various plastics including worbla, wood, and other materials. We will go over the entire process from pattern design, to fitting, to painting, and provide a list of material sources. You can make that armor!

Tired of flashy Visual Kei without bite to back up the look? Ever wonder how rock music got started in Japan? Come experience the Heavy.

This panel is intended to be a general, open forum discussion about Evangelion. Anyone can feel free to participate, but beware of spoilers.

Discuss sports anime and manga spanning dozens of sports genres, why we love them, and what we hope to see in the future.

Come see some of the more mature AMV submissions we’ve received over time.

Welcome to the definitive panel about... stuff! It's a discussion space where you can talk about anything you like. Want to talk about other cons? Con experiences? Cool things you saw this year? Great new anime you've seen? Video games you played? Horrible convention experiences you had? All are welcome here in our extra hour in the ball pit. Oh, and yes, we will likely be talking about Dash Con as well. By the way have you guys seen "4"? That panel was amazing! If you don't know what we are talking about, come on by to find out!

The samurai told tales to test their bravery. The creatives told them to prove their skill. The commoners told them to demonstrate their literacy. It doesn’t matter your reasons, this exercise in collective storytelling and creepy tales is an open forum to experience or share those things that send chills down your spine. 

People joke that fanfiction is nothing but characters frolicking in ever more creative ways. Could fanfiction be understood as a powerful tool for resistance? Come find out how fanfiction has the power to overturn social norms about gender, sexuality and performativity.

A hyper quick overview of Bleach from beginning to present with audience participation encouraged for maximum enjoyment! The funnier the summation, the better ^.^

Celebrate the 10th anniversary of AMV Hell with this all new collection of rapid-fire clips that are sure to make you laugh. The management is not responsible for uncontrollable laughter.

From musical / comedy shorts and movie trailers to episodic abridged send-ups of Attack on Titan and DBZ: Revenge of Cooler, we offer two hours of the best fan parodies we could find from the past few years. Laughter is top of the order here.

Those lovable, lucrative, and last-but-not-least LOADED mustached mountebanks return. They know how to stand straight, fly right, toast a glass, throw down, and look gosh darn good doing it. So join our comedy show that will send your mustache a twirling and where envelopes will be pushed, licked, and delivered!

The realms of Japanese and American erotica can be pleasurable experiences, rollercoaster rides full of thrills and chills, embarrassing journeys, or all of the above. From kinky con stories to hentai, join us on an odyssey through the wild worlds of both Japanese and American erotica.

A panel that will go over even more trends and tropes that occur in many a yaoi&bara manga, anime, & date sims. Also, prepare to be blinded the amazing awesomeness of boy’s (& men’s) love!

That's right, you read that tiele and thought, "Dang, that's jazzy…sounding". Well guess what? Nothing to do with Jazz. Alright, you actually thought the title was confusing, right? Well show up to the panel and find out what it's really about, OR don't and we'll all make fun of you the rest of the weekend.

Ever wonder how a family can travel comfortably Across Japan on a budget? Follow the Cross family as they share how they did it on their own with the help of the Internet, friends and a very useful guide book. Then YOU CAN do it, too!

Do you want to go to more cons? Are there tumbleweeds rolling through your bank account? This panel will teach you how to get more bang for your buck at conventions!

Since 2009, Charles Dunbar has been presenting content at Anime USA related to religion, Japanese history, mythology and folklore, and fandom culture. This time, he’s asking YOU for the panel you want to see. Anything he has presented is open for consideration, and he will re-play whatever gets the most votes.

Something mysterious is afoot at AUSA! All over the con, cosplayers are gaining the powers of the characters they are dressed as! But…can any RPG handle a premise this absurd? BESM can! This panel will give tips on finding the game, making characters, and crafting scenarios for maximum anime ridiculousness.

Witness the sheer awe and terrifying appeal that is simply Mechapocalypse! We look at the latest and greatest in mecha anime, profiling robots great and small while looking at some of their inspirations in the process. From Astro Boy to Knights of Sidonia, enter the mechapocalypse and be amazed...if you dare.

Learn the fundamentals of cosplay makeup and dive into some of the more advanced techniques. Mikki Marvel provides the discussion while a local makeup artist provides a demonstration on a live model. We will also have a five minute makeup challenge!

We tend to think of the kimono as ancientJapanese dress, but it's really quite recent.  This lecture will focus on the kosode and how it went from an underdress to the main garment for both Japanese men and women.

We've all heard our favorite Voice Actors answer questions about how they got started in the industry, or what their favorite role was. However, inquiring minds want to know…what was their first car? What's their favorite Halloween candy? What's their favorite vacation spot? If they could work for one anime villain, who would it be? Hear our guests answer these, and other more interesting questions at Inside the Voice Actors Studio!

Have you ever wished that there was an exact sewing pattern for your Cosplay dream outfit?  There may not be an exact pattern, but this lecture will show you how to choose sewing patterns that can help you get close and adapt them to be exactly what you want.

A panel for all those interested in one day giving a panel & would like a few tips & tricks for the road to get started.

Big Hairy men were the first to start writing manga for girls. Then a group of fabulous women starting making manga with sparkles, romance, and tons of flowers, and changed how we looked at Shoujo manga. Come learn more about these women, their works, and their influence on today's popular manga.

Do you love Sailor Moon and other Magical School Girl anime? Come and discuss the character designs from your favorite series!

An open discussion on writing. Share what methods work for you and learn from others' experiences. We will also explore options for after your story is written. All types of writers are welcome!

It’s the end of the world as we know it! One of the most popular subjects for anime is the apocalypse…but where do stories of the end come from? What are they really about? And whose world is really being transformed?