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Li's Anime Boston 2006 Convention Report

Precon

Thursday morning involved last minute finishing to our costumes and Thursday evening we finally got around to recording our dialogue for our skit. Nothing like a bit of last minute work before a convention!

Friday

We woke up ridiculously early and after a couple hours of getting into our costumes (I started the day as Card Captor Sakura, and Akiko was Sakura's mother), made our way across the street to the con center. We dropped off our bags at our art table, then stood in the pre-reg line for a solid 45 minutes or so. By the time we got back from registering, it was about time for our craftsmanship judging, so we stopped off at the masquerade headquarters. At last we were done with judging and registering for all the events, so we were able to set up our art table and start making sales. Well, that is, except for the fact that we had run out of business cards. So I had to do some major running around to get more.

While I was out and about, I also changed into my Akabane (Getbackers) costume and stayed in that for the rest of the day.

We pretty much stayed working at our art table until evening, when we stopped for the Anime Dating Game. I was one of the bachelors. First up were the bachelorettes. The 'main' bachelorette I believe was Juri from Utena, and she was choosing between Sir Intergra Helsing, Freya (Dark Chii), and a Naruto girl who I don't remember her name. Some very funny bits. Next was the first yaoi round. Hakkai was the main bachelor, and he had to choose between Muraki, Duo, and Sephiroth.

Muraki and Sephiroth competed to see who was creepier/had a greater death-lust. Eventually Hakkai picked Sephiroth, much to the delight of the crowd.

Then came round 3. The main bachelor was Roy Mustang. He got to choose between Link (who was Sanzo from last year's game), me as Akabane, and a last-minute pick of K-san (played wonderfully by Ada).

Unfortunately, there was a bit of a mix up. See, 2 bachelors dropped out last minute so there were a few replacements. Anyway, things got switched around a bit and so the questions that they had given us round 3 bachelors got asked in round 2 and visa versa... so when round 3 came around, I wasn't asked any of the questions I had prepared answers for (since they got asked to the round 2 contestants).

So I had a bit of a task of trying to think up appropriate answers and respond quickly, in my character's voice and that was entertaining to the crowd. I went a bit more 'perverse' in my answering, but I think it went well enough.

In the end, Roy choose Link, so Muraki and I decided we creepy doctors could go off and entertain ourselves.

Saturday

Again we woke ridiculously early. Akiko was Nadeshiko again and this time I dressed and stayed in my Card Captor Sakura costume all day. We spent all morning in the artist alley drawing chibi portraits and selling prints.

We closed up shop for a little while in the afternoon for the Tea Ceremony Panel, of which we ran. The room was FULL and it was amazing to me that they were all there for my panel. The room was quite warm, and noisy, since we were right next door to registration (which was packed). Also, we were sitting on the floor so I think it was hard for people in the back to see or hear. Still, I think it went pretty well, and I know to ask for a mic next year.

Then it was back to the artist alley for the next couple hours until it was time for the masquerade. We made our way to Main Events where we mingled with the other contestants and then lined up more or less in proper order. For the most part, the skits were all of high quality, though audio issues made some a bit difficult to understand.

We were group #17 (as opposed to last time we preformed at AB in which we were group #19). For not practicing, not blocking out our movements, I think we did pretty well. I don't think the skit was quite as accessible as our previous Saiyuki Shakespeare, but overall, I think our "Mangled Movies" skit worked pretty well.

Unfortunately we didn't win anything. I didn't think our skit would have, but I had hoped that maybe we might get a craftsman award. Alas, it was not to be.

We went back to the Artist Alley after the masquerade, but didn't bother setting up our table. We chatted a bit then made our way back to the hotel for a little food and a bit of sleep.

Sunday

So did not want to wake up, but again, we woke pretty early. I got into my Kamikaze Kaitoh Jeanne costume (the first time I wore that costume in a few years) and Akiko went as an elf in a Chinese dress.

The Artist Alley was a bit slow at first, but started to pick up. We decided that while I went to the cosplay chess, Akiko should stay and keep selling.

I was a piece again this year, a pawn for the shoujo bishop Hakkai. Jeanne can get a bit flirty and silly when she's in her phantom-thief form, so I decided to play that up so I could be doing something while standing on stage.

I didn't quite like this year's cosplay chess as much as last year's, but then I think Akabane was a bit more fun to play than Jeanne was. Also, there didn't seem to be as much 'hams' on stage, so I didn't have as many people to play off of. There were more scripted events that interrupted the game and the sound crew had too much fun with random sound clips interrupting things.

I actually got to kill a piece this year during the game. I took out Kenshin and that was a lot of fun because Jeanne's attack call is "checkmate." I managed not to get killed so I got to join in the battle royal at the end. I got to kill Chidori, but was then taken out by Sasuke's brother.

Highlights of the game definitely have to be Sketch coming out as Vash and harassing Ed. Yuki's fangirl attack was awesome. The Ichigo was just fantastic. And when she put on the mask it was so creepy and wonderful. Muraki killing the PoT kid was so cool. It really was a lot of fun in general.

We spent the rest of the afternoon in the art room until we got kicked out with the end of the con.

Let's see, shout outs go to the usual crew: Mookie, Hawk, Ananth, and Katy of Applegeeks, Shawn of Staccato, Brian (of Instant Classic), and the CTCon crew. Santinaeo the "Shiney", who I didn't share a table this time, but did share a hotel room, is beautiful as always. Snack and Nikki are as fabulous as always--another great year for anime boston artist alley! I got to see and chat with my cousins a little. The chainmail vest was just plan awesome. (Particularly when combined with the Chinese shirt). It was a lot of fun sharing a table with Aaron of Radbu comics. He's such a sweetheart and we took turns getting each other food or watching over each other's stuff. Finally found Mere, our "Shuichi" from AB 04. She was the incredibly awesome Forest Spirit from Mononoke Hime and is just as cool and sweet as she was 2 years ago. Didn't see Novablade this year, but sitting next to Morlock was nice as well. And I may not have gotten a piggy-back ride around the artist alley at this con, but I did get to harass Sketch plenty. Someday, Sketch, when you least expect it, I will get your sword...