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AX 2002: Anime Expo Opening Ceremonies
posted on by Christopher Macdonald
Everything that happened at the opening of North America's biggest Anime Convention
Opening Ceremonies
As with previous years, Rurouni Kenshin were the best received by the crowd.
The Terrace Theatre, with a seating capacity of 3100 people, quickly filled to capacity (Anime Expo is expecting over 15,000 attendees this year!). Master of Ceremonies, Stefanie Fernandez, began by introducing the SPJA's current CEO, Jennifer Pon. Jennifer spoke briefly, welcoming everyone to the convention and thanking the convention's major sponsors.
Two notable absentees from the opening ceremonies were the convention's previous Digital mascot, Max, and Mike Tatsugawa. The Mascot was scrapped this year in favor of a live action MC, but those familiar with Anime Expo tradition recognized Stefanie's voice as belonging to the anime girl mascot, Max. Mr. Tatsugawa's heightened role as Con Chair of Anime Expo New York was one of many reasons he could not attend the ceremonies.
Following Jennifer Pon's speech, Yoko Ishida, best known for her Ultra Eurobeat Para Para Max CDs. Ishida remixes popular anime theme songs into dance tracks, and "para para" dances to them. "Para para" dancing involves lots of arm movements.
As with previous years, not all the GOH's were able to make it to the convention on time for the opening ceremonies. This year City Hunter, were not able to make it, but both sent rather amusing videos in their place.
In the first video, Mashimo (director of .hack//SIGN, Noir, Captain Tylor and more) showed the viewers around Bee Train studios. Many of his employees were hard at work on .hack//SIGN, so Mashimo put them on the spot, asking them to say something to the American fans. Some of his employees didn't believe that the video would actually be shown in America, while others took great lengths to be avoided. Apparently, Mashimo is quite a kidder.
As can be expected from the creator of City Hunter, Hojo's video was equally humorous. The video started with a scene of Hojo doing some "people watching" research (better known as "oggling women as they walk by"), and then progressed to the offices of Coamix, showing us a number of staged scenes with various employlyees of the company. The video finished with Hojo hopping into a cab (driven by Mr. Horie, president of Coamix) and asking to be brought to the Long Beach Convention Center.
Following the two lengthy videos, the remainder of the Guests of Honor were announced.
cosplayers in the audience looked better than the real "Nabeshin" (who, in real life, looks very much like his animated counterpart.)
Although short, squat, and nearly bald, Gun Blaze West". His next series, while still a secret, could be out early next year.
Maria Kawamura then returned to the front of the stage to sing Naga's theme song from Slayers.
Akira Komiya, voice of Ryo Saeba of City Hunter, then came on stage to announce that Mr. Hojo finally arrived in America. With him, he brought a number of seiyuu students from NEEC. They proceeded to live-dub a 5-minute segment of Galaxy Angel episode 2. About 100 other students from NEEC were also in the audience.
As with previous years, Rurouni Kenshin were the best received by the crowd.
The Terrace Theatre, with a seating capacity of 3100 people, quickly filled to capacity (Anime Expo is expecting over 15,000 attendees this year!). Master of Ceremonies, Stefanie Fernandez, began by introducing the SPJA's current CEO, Jennifer Pon. Jennifer spoke briefly, welcoming everyone to the convention and thanking the convention's major sponsors.
Two notable absentees from the opening ceremonies were the convention's previous Digital mascot, Max, and Mike Tatsugawa. The Mascot was scrapped this year in favor of a live action MC, but those familiar with Anime Expo tradition recognized Stefanie's voice as belonging to the anime girl mascot, Max. Mr. Tatsugawa's heightened role as Con Chair of Anime Expo New York was one of many reasons he could not attend the ceremonies.
Following Jennifer Pon's speech, Yoko Ishida, best known for her Ultra Eurobeat Para Para Max CDs. Ishida remixes popular anime theme songs into dance tracks, and "para para" dances to them. "Para para" dancing involves lots of arm movements.
As with previous years, not all the GOH's were able to make it to the convention on time for the opening ceremonies. This year City Hunter, were not able to make it, but both sent rather amusing videos in their place.
In the first video, Mashimo (director of .hack//SIGN, Noir, Captain Tylor and more) showed the viewers around Bee Train studios. Many of his employees were hard at work on .hack//SIGN, so Mashimo put them on the spot, asking them to say something to the American fans. Some of his employees didn't believe that the video would actually be shown in America, while others took great lengths to be avoided. Apparently, Mashimo is quite a kidder.
As can be expected from the creator of City Hunter, Hojo's video was equally humorous. The video started with a scene of Hojo doing some "people watching" research (better known as "oggling women as they walk by"), and then progressed to the offices of Coamix, showing us a number of staged scenes with various employlyees of the company. The video finished with Hojo hopping into a cab (driven by Mr. Horie, president of Coamix) and asking to be brought to the Long Beach Convention Center.
Following the two lengthy videos, the remainder of the Guests of Honor were announced.
cosplayers in the audience looked better than the real "Nabeshin" (who, in real life, looks very much like his animated counterpart.)
Although short, squat, and nearly bald, Gun Blaze West". His next series, while still a secret, could be out early next year.
Maria Kawamura then returned to the front of the stage to sing Naga's theme song from Slayers.
Akira Komiya, voice of Ryo Saeba of City Hunter, then came on stage to announce that Mr. Hojo finally arrived in America. With him, he brought a number of seiyuu students from NEEC. They proceeded to live-dub a 5-minute segment of Galaxy Angel episode 2. About 100 other students from NEEC were also in the audience.
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