Comiku Girls: Convention Panelists

Cultural Panels

Japanese Tea Ceremony
Kimono & Yukata
Asian Brush Painting
Written Japanese
A Brief History of Japan - The Early Years (New Panel!)
A Brief History of Japan - The Later Years (New Panel!)
Introduction to Jrock
Ball Jointed Dolls (New Panel!)

Artistic Panels

Panels Under Development

Japanese Tea Ceremony

By far our most popular panel, the Japanese Tea Ceremony has been performed to standing room only crowds at most conventions. It is an interactive demonstration of a traditional Japanese Thin Tea Ceremony, including a discussion of its symbolism, history, and its roots in Zen. Li Izumi studied Tea Ceremony in Akita, Japan. Panel participants will be able to sample the Japanese Green Tea at the end of the demonstration, and several participants will be able to act as 'guests' during the demonstration.

1 hour

Special needs: Clear floor space or an elevated stage with space for 4-6 people to sit. Live Video Projection needed at larger cons.

Performed at: Connecticon 2004-9; Anime Boston 2006, 2008-9; Bakaretsucon 2006-7; Anime Mid-Atlantic 2007; Another Anime Con 2007-8.

Kimono & Yukata

A demonstration of how to properly put on Kimono and Yukata, including how to tie the obi. In addition, we will discuss the differences between Kimono and Yukata and Japanese ideals of beauty. We will talk about how to make your own Yukata, including where to find patterns and fabric choices. Li Izumi studied how to properly put on a Kimono (a nearly hour long process) in Akita, Japan. Akiko Meigetsu and Li Izumi have sewn their own Yukata and Kimono.

1 hour

Performed at: Connecticon 2005-9; Bakaretsucon 2006; Another Anime Con 2007;

Asian Brush Painting

An interactive demonstration of the brush techniques used in Calligraphy and Asian Brush Painting (in Japan, Sumi-e). We will relate painting to the meditation process and the history of these techniques, the roots of which originated in China. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to create their own brush painting.

Special needs: Workshop room with table space (no tablecloths).

1 hour

Performed at: Connecticon 2006-7, 2009; Bakaretsucon 2006, 2008; Another Anime Con 2007, 2009; Anime Boston 2007; Anime Mid-Atlantic 2007

Written Japanese

An introduction to the Japanese written language, including the differences between the three main writing systems, its history and development from its Chinese origins. After the initial discussion, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about the Japanese written language.

Special needs: Dry Erase Board or Computer Projection

1 hour

Performed at: Connecticon 2006-7; Anime Mid-Atlantic 2007; Bakaretsucon 2007; Another Anime Con 2009;

A Brief History of Japan - The Early Years (New Panel!)

This panel talks about the history of Japan to the medieval times, so that fans can have a better sense of the historical context that has helped shape some of their favorite anime and manga. Find out why you too might like yayoi! Poetry for sex and politics in the Heian era! The rise of the Samurai!

1 hour

Early Version Performed at: PAC 2007; Another Anime Con 2008;

A Brief History of Japan - The Later Years (New Panel!)

This panel talks about the history of Japan from medieval times to the modern era so that fans can have a better sense of the historical context that has helped shape some of their favorite anime and manga. The Rise and Fall of the Class of Samurai! How the American Civil War saved Japan! The beginnings of anime and manga!

1 hour

Early Version Performed at: PAC 2007; Another Anime Con 2008;

Introduction to Jrock

An introduction to some of the big names in Japanese rock music. We will discuss and watch promotional videos and interviews from artists such as Gackt, L'arc en Ciel, Buck-tick, Pierrot, Penicillin, Malice Mizer, and more. Li Izumi has been interested in, and following the rock scene from Japan for more years than we will admit.

2 hour

Special Needs: Dvd player and projector

Performed at: Bakaretsucon 2006-8; Another Anime Con 2008; Connecticon 2008-9

Ball Jointed Dolls (New Panel!)

Either unbelievably beautiful, or unbelievably creepy (and sometimes both at once), increasingly, you see these dolls at conventions, but may not know much about them. This panel will talk about some of the different types of ball joined dolls, where you can get them, and how you can customize the dolls to make them your own.

1 hour

Webcomics

From serialized comic books to one panel gags, from epic stories to bathroom humor. There are hundreds of kinds of webcomics out there. In this panel we'll talk about how to start one. It won't tell you how to become a Sluggy Freelance.

1 hour

Performed at: Bakaretsucon 2006-7; Picon 2006

How to Draw - Chibi Style!

We see it everywhere in manga and anime, from Fushigi Yuugi to Evangelian to Trigun to Dragon Half. In this panel we'll talk about the different ways to do chibi (super-deformed) characters, including different proportion rules and what makes them so damn cute! Participants will be able to try their hand at the style.

1 hour

Special needs: Dry Erase Board or Computer Projection

Performed at: Bakaretsucon 2008; Another Anime Con 2009

Artist's Critique Circle

Every artist wants to get better. This panel will give participants an opportunity to have their work critiqued by other artists. We will learn both how to ask for a critique and how to give a good critique to each other. It's more than just saying what is wrong! You don't have to be an artist to participate so long as you enjoy art. Panel participants are encouraged to bring work for critique.

1 hour

Performed at: Animazement 2005; Anime Boston 2007; Anime Mid-Atlantic 2007

Life Drawing for Anime Artists

Everyone says 'draw from life', but not everyone has access to life drawing classes. This panel gives anime artists the opportunity to draw from a live model as we discuss figure drawing techniques such as gesture drawings and sketching techniques. Participants should bring their own drawing materials.

1 hour

Performed at: Anime Boston 2008-9; Connecticon 2008

Color Theory for Anime Artists

Why does everyone say skin tones 'have a lot of blue in them'? Red and blue make purple... but did you know red and green can make brick red? More than just a color wheel, this panel will talk about how to use color to help define a focal point in a piece using contrast and tone and how to use colors to create harmony (or dissonance) in a piece.

1 hour

Special needs: Computer Projection

Performed at: Anime Boston 2009, PAC 2008, Another Anime Con 2009

Panels Under Development

Victorian Japan

History & Politics of Japan in the Victorian era.

Obon Matsuri Dance

Participants will learn about the traditional Japanese folk dances related to the Obon Festival.