ANIME NORTH 2003
PAN'S CON REPORT

SUNDAY MAY 18th, 2003


Out the three days at Anime North, Sunday was the least eventful. Probably because I was too tired to think, let alone do much of anything. -_-; I learned something though. Always force yourself to sleep at cons. If you don’t, you’re screwed!

We got up around seven, since we had to pack and meet Kira fro breakfast. Around eight or so, we meet Kira and like twenty other people in the lobby for breakfast. We were all sleep deprived and my voice was still messed up. At least the hunger problem was solved.

Kira led us to a restaurant about five minutes from the hotel. We weren’t in costume, but people with us were. It must have seemed weird to the people driving by. *heh*

At the restaurant, we all got tables and ordered food. I forgot what I ordered, but it’s irrelevant anyway. Shinji sat with us too. Kira showed up at our table at some point, and showed us pictures of Chapel looking like an idiot from the day before. ^^;

From where we were sitting in the restaurant, I could see someone watching us from a seventh story window across the street. ‘Twas very weird.

After breakfast, we went back to the hotel. On the way to our room, we ran into the Farfie cosplayer I had met the day before. She was so cool! ^^ We went into her room briefly and found Kelsi and Kira sitting on the bed. It’s a small world after all...

Speaking of small worlds, across the hall was the room of the infamous Vash and Wolfwood cosplayers. Vash was sewing his coat and Wolfwood was watching TV. ^^; Errr...

We headed back to our room and started packing up our stuff since check out was approaching quickly. Even after we managed to find all of our stuff and pack it away, the room was still a mess. A huge mess. I took some photos since I thought it was really funny.

Afterwards, Blue Rose and I got on our Fushigi Yuugi costumes. I dressed up as Nuriko and she dressed up as Hotohori. Her costume was better. ^^;

I had some trouble with my hair and was too tired to think straight, but once we got out of the room and started wandering around, it was much more fun. ^^ I got some photos of the Sunday cosplayers and went through the dealer’s room looking for stuff I needed.

All weekend, I had told every Fushigi Yuugi I cosplayer I saw to come to a Fushigi Yuugi photo shoot on Sunday at noon. With noon approaching, Blue Rose and I headed in that direction. When we got there, some Fushigi Yuugi cosplayers had already came and went. Meh. We still managed to get a few really cool group photos. ^^

The Nuriko from CN last year was there and I got a few pictures with her. There was a lot more Fushigi Yuugi photo-ness before we went off again.

Oh, and before we left the lobby, we ran into Spiku as he was leaving. I took some more random photos. ^^; Then Blue Rose and I chased around some cosplayers. Fwee! ^^

We ran into some people dressed as characters from Samurai Deeper Kyo. After talking to one of them, it turned out that they had the entire cast there and would be posing for photos later in the day. Since I had press duties to attend to while the photo shoot took place, I made sure to take pictures of as many of them as I could fine. ^^ I just love Samurai Deeper Kyo!

Looking back on it, I took lots of random photos on Sunday. I even took one of Josh—the Heero Yuy cosplayer. ^^ *glomps Josh*

Oh, and before I forget, all day Sunday I was carrying around a sign that read “I LOVE RUE!” Rue is the guy that scans Weiss Side B. He lives in Reno and wasn’t anywhere near this convention. I carried around the sign anyway, because it’s fun to say “I love Rue!” ^^; I scare people... Anyway, I stopped to pose with the sign a lot.

Hmm... at some point around here, Blue Rose and I ran into Micheru-chan and we followed her upstairs to the plushie making room. She was dressed as Miaka and together we were a little Fushigi Yuugi group. She wasn’t sure where she was going, so Blue Rose leaned over to me and said, “It’s just like the real Fushigi Yuugi. We’re following Miaka and she has no idea where she’s going.” *heh* We made it up to the room alright and were there for all of three minutes, before going off to find some cosplayers and maybe some lunch. ^^;

There were people wandering around the halls with burlap, and I did see Amiboshi again, although I didn’t talk to him. We asked some people if they had seen Kira and were directed downstairs. There Kira and I posed with the “I LOVE RUE!” sign. Kira knows Rue, so that photo makes more sense than the rest of the ones I took. ^^;

Earlier, Kira had given me CDs to deliver to GLAY. I had found her and her sister and made the delivery. I also had gotten something for Kira in the trade, so I gave it to her now. Don’t ask...

I didn’t really see much of GLAY at this convention except for that short exchange. Maybe next con. ^^

Blue Rose and I ran into Laura and Butterfly and sat down with them. We discussed the wonderful Samurai Deeper Kyo cosplayers and the awesome Yukimora as we ate lunch. Nearby, there were people signing and dancing for money. They were good, and I videotaped some them signing and the guy attempting to break dance. Blue Rose gave them money. ^^; “I’ve got a lovely bunch of coconuts...” is a wonderful song. ^^;

Micheru-chan showed up and showed us the plushies she made. Then, Laura and Butterfly headed to a panel, and Blue Rose and I headed to the con office, After a quick search, headed upstairs to the press room. We were a little late for the press interviews, but that’s alright. We missed the first portion of the session with Scott McNeil. Blue Rose videotaped while I took photos and asked some questions. Since I had already talked to McNeil-sama in the past, I didn’t want to take time away from other people who wanted to ask questions.

After Scott McNeil’s session, I got some photos of him with Kumagoro, and then with the “I LOVE RUE!” sign. ^^; Yay, Rue!

Afterwards, Blue Rose and I headed downstairs quickly. We ended up in the now-abandoned YTV office. There we found another purple post-it addressed to me, and some rotten apples. ^^; I took a picture of my sign with the apples. *sweatdrops*

We headed to the celebrity auction and took some photos. I think we ran into Peter here. It was fun to watch Scott McNeil on stage. Mark Hildreth showed up, and Scott said he’d kiss Mark if someone bet over $500 for a poster. It was funny to watch the fangirl pool their money and shout out “Someone please bet!” *heh*

Blue Rose went back upstairs and showed up halfway through the session with Brian Drummond and David Kaye. They were very intelligent and mature. All kinds of interesting discussions were brought up from yaoi, to X-men, to recording studios, to dream roles, to philosophy. It was very interesting. Blue Rose videotaped it. If I get a chance, I’ll try to write some of it out later on. ^^

I asked them to play rock-paper-scissors and they did. ^^ I can no longer remember who won. I wish I had enough time to explain rock-paper-Zazel, but it didn’t seem like a good idea at the time. Afterwards, I got photos of both David and Brain with Kuma. ^^;

Next came the session with Brad Swaile and Mark Hildreth. Another great discussion was sparked. I didn’t really ask much at this point because I was still rather tired. Both Mark and Brad came across very nice. Brad is such a sweetheart. ^^ Mark was very cool and collected. He had some great points of view.

I also managed to get them to play rock-paper-scissors. *grins* I’m evil, I know. I took really cute photos with Brad and Kuma and one with Mark and Kuma. I also got photos of Mark showing off the Gundam models someone had given to him. ^^ Yay for holding stuff upside-down! *sweatdrops*

The schedule for the press sessions was a little different than what they were originally set for. There were delays, other places for the guests to be, and in the case of Saffron Henderson, she was sick. You know, I didn’t get a chance to see Saffron at all. I’ll try to track her down at a future convention. I really wanted to meet her. ^^

Kirby Morrow was supposed to be with Scott McNeil, but he was at his Sweet Tooth event. At least I have the question and answer session from Saturday on tape. Thankees again, Laura! ^^

Blue Rose and I left our stuff up in the press room and ran off downstairs to take care of a few last minute things. We ran into Buru. He was guarding luggage. ^^; I talked to him briefly about what I mentioned happened at the dance. He said he’d e-mail me and I promised to check my e-mail.

On the way back upstairs, Blue Rose and I realized that my sleeves looks like wings and she took a picture of what is now dubbed “Flying Nuriko!” *heh* We ran into a girl cosplaying as Rei from Evangelion. She had worn the same costume at CN Anime 2001, and I remembered her. I talked to her for a bit before we headed back upstairs.

The session with Claude Pelletier and Ben Dunn was in progress. Claude Pelletier is best known for his work with the magazine Protoculture Addicts. Perhaps it is because I am into journalism and broadcasting that I found him very interesting and inspirational. There was a very interesting discussion about the publishing industry and how he got started. Ben Dunn was also very fascinating to listen to. ^^ Of course, I also got Claude Pelletier and Ben Dunn to play rock-paper-scissors. *heh*

Soon after, everyone started filing out of the room. The girls from Nona were there, and I had told them back on Friday that I had wanted to have a serious talk with them. We talked, and I got some of my points across, but I didn’t finish before they had to leave. Before they left, I started eating the rose I found. They looked at me and said “That’s just gross!” *heh* A man working at the con found me eating a rose very entertaining. And it turned my saliva purple! ^^; Er...

After that, Blue Rose and I headed back downstairs and to Anime Name That Tune run by the oh-so-lovable Chris McKenna! ^^ He chose some hard ones this year. I’m usually really good at guessing the series the songs are from, but this year it was rather tricky. Peter was a contestant during the last round. He didn’t win, but he tried. ^^

Blue Rose and I wandered off again, and saw Sara and Reena sitting on a couch in the lobby. I gave Sara what was left of my rose and she started eating it. (See? I’m not the only one!) Her and Reena were adorable together. ^^

The day was winding down, and we all somehow ended up in the lobby causing chaos having random fun. ^^ I got pictures of lots of people and my “I LOVE RUE!” sign. ^^;

Kirby Morrow showed up out of nowhere and we went to say hi to him. ^^ Aggie got him to sign her socks. You see, as part of her Gojyo costume, she wore parts of socks on her arms. She got the voice actors to sign them. I think the only autograph she’s missing is Saffron Henderson’s. Since Kirby wasn’t at his press session, I took this opportunity to get a picture of him standing with Kumagoro. ^^

While I was taking the photo of Kirby, Brain Drummond showed up at our nowhere, screamed something along the lines of “Give me a hug!” and glomped Kirby! ^^ WAI!!! I got the slashy-ish picture ever! WAI!!!

Kelsi was getting the voice actors to sign her arm, so I took a picture of it. Then I ran into Scott McNeil who was eagerly pleasing his hoards of fans. ^^; I also ran into the awesome princess bunny guy! He rocked!

The con was basically over, so those of use that were left, Becky, Rem, Blue Rose, Eddy and I, headed over to the couches where Reena and Sara were and crashed. Becky had won these cheesy DragonBall Z games, but they were addictive and kept us entertained. ^^;

A member of the press I know came and sat with me and we had a very nice talk. I got to know him a little better. Even though my voice was going and I was tired, it was a wonderful conversation. It was the perfect way to wrap up the con. I had respect for him before, but now that respect has only skyrocketed. He’s one of the coolest people I got to talk to at the convention, and I look forward to seeing him at conventions in the future. ^^

Shortly after, our ride arrived. We walked through the lobby and out the door. On the way, I looked back thinking of what a magnificent time I had. In that moment, I was reminded of why I loved Anime North. I smiled to myself as I walked out the door.

Less than 365 days until next year...