Anime USA 2014: Ani-mazing Con!

First off, I just want to thank the AUSA staff for not following in Otakon's footsteps and making their schedule available only on SmartPhones!  The paper schedules are so much easier to work with!  That being said, I had an interesting time at Anime USA this past weekend (October 3-5, 2014).
I cosplayed, of course.  With my "Toad" (Super Mario Bros.) costume out of commission until further notice, I had to search through my cosplay wardrobe for other alternatives.  I didn't realize how many costumes I actually own!  On Friday, I was a Japanese schoolgirl.  I think I've only worn that costume maybe about 2 or 3 times.  On Saturday, I donned my Totoro Kigurumi complete with matching paw slippers, Totoro purse, Totoro earrings, and a Totoro plushie. Sunday's cosplay outfit was Rei Ayanami from "Neon Genesis Evangelion."  Honestly, I'm not really into that particular anime, but it is what it is.  I sat a few shifts at the DC Anime Club (www.dcanimeclub.org) table. (The DC Anime Club is the organization that my Hubby, Christopher Wanamaker, founded and over which he currently presides).   I also attended a few panels--"School Days!  A History of Japanese School Uniforms," "Nintendo History 101," and "AHHHH!  Video Game Cartoons" to name a few.  Sadly, I missed the screening of the live-action "Black Butler," but I'm sure that it will be released in the United States sometime in the near future!   I stated before that my "Toad" costume is unusable, so I found someone--Ginger Woods of "Gbee Fabrics" (http://gbeefabrics.com/) -- to make me a new one.  I'm hoping to have it by Summer 2015.  I've already got my cosplay outfits for Katsucon 2015 (www.katsucon.com)  planned out.  I plan to be Wonder Woman, Rainbow Brite (once I order a new wig), and to keep warm with my Hamster Kigurumi.  I guess I'm jumping the gun slightly, as I might get to attend Annapolis Comic-Con (http://annapoliscomiccon.com/)  and MAGFest (http://magfest.org/)  before Katsucon in February.  But, back to Anime USA!  Money was a little tight, so I wasn't really able to splurge on much in the Dealer's Room at Anime USA; but I did purchase one DVD, "Parade Parade" (a hentai).  I'm hoping to be able to catch up on "Fairy Tail" at Katsucon, since it occurs a few weeks after my birthday (January 28)!  My cash flow should be a lot better by then!  In the meantime, I don't mind re-watching some of the many anime DVDs in my collection: "Wolf Children," "Grave of the Fireflies," or one of the films directed by the cinematic genius Hayao Miyazaki: "Spirited Away," "My Neighbor Totoro," or "Kiki's Delivery Service" (which is supposed to be adapted into a live-action film) to name a few.  Anime today, anime tomorrow, anime FOREVER!!!!!! 

I Want AGO Home!!!!!!!!!!!!! And It Comes Close!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've looked forward to last Thursday night's episode of AGO ever since I saw the bus at Otakon last Summer!   The AGO crew spent Week 5 of their search in Baltimore, MD; Washington, DC; and  New York!  Since I live in that area, I expected to see at least one person I recognized!  And I was not disappointed!: My husband, Chris Wanamaker, the President of the DC Anime Club (http://www.dcanimeclub.org/), turned out to compete for the coveted title of "America's Greatest Otaku!"   If anyone embodies the Otaku Quality of Participation, which is what the Otaku 6 Challenge of the Week was based on, it is definitely Christopher Wanamaker (and I'm not just saying that because I'm married to him)!  Not only is he the President of the most active anime club in the nation, but he also attends several anime cons throughout the year!  I attend at least 3 with him: Katsucon, Otakon, & Anime USA.  Also, he participates in  events such as "Animania" at the FYE stores, as well as the Japanese Street Festival during the Cherry Blossom Parade.  Perhaps I'm biased, but I think my hubby has a real shot at being declared "America's Greatest Otaku!"  Only time will tell, though, so I'll move on to some of the others  vying for the coveted title! Jasmine Salters, an aspiring ainme creator and manga designer, has also created a few plushies.  Some of her spare time is reserved for drawing several times a week, even creating her own characters and stories.  Does she have a chance to win the coveted title of AGO??????????  Who knows?????  And as for Dianna Santodonatto, AGO's New York candidate, she and Salters have something in common: they both love to make plushies!!!!!!!!!!!  As for what separates Santodonatto from the rest of the crowd, it's the fact that she can play songs from popular anime on her flute!!!!  Wow!!!!!!!!!!  And of course, the search for "America's Greatest Otaku" would not be complete without some maids & music!!!!!!!!!  Reni Mimura is both! The Japanese Cosplay Singer  specializes in Moe style performances, a genre that emphasizes the cute look of Japanese pop-culture with the hip appeal of Japanese animation! Mimura is a very busy maid!  Right now, her schedule reveals that she is slated to appear at Jaycon in Pennsylvania on March 26, and a Maid Show the following day in New York!  If she can maintain a busy schedule like that, she definitely has a good chance of claiming the title of "America's Greatest Otaku!"  However, only one person can be declared "America's Greatest Otaku"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Who will it be?????  Only time will tell, so I'm going to keep logging in every week to http://americasgreatestotaku.com/ until the contest is over and a winner is declared!!!!!!!!