LLNN Coverage of Anime Expo 2002


Guest of Honor Focus Panels: The Guests of Honor for AX2002 had their own focus panels throughout the weekend, all of which saw a packed roomful of excited attendees. From artists to directors, most attendees found their questions being answered, no matter how serious or silly, and some even cosplayed to show their spirit for the shows the Guests worked on. Watsuki even indulged in a photo opportunity of his own as he posed for a big group picture with Rurouni Kenshin cosplayers. The following Guests had scheduled panels: Maria Kawamura (Seiyuu), Hidenori Matsubara (Animation Director and Character Designer), Mamiko Noto (Seiyuu), Hiroaki Goda (Director), Toshiharu Murata (Director, Mecha Designer, Animation Character Designer), Tsukasa Hojo (Manga Artist), Nobuhiro Watsuki (Manga Artist), Koichi Mashimo (Director), Hideyuki Kurata (Creator and Writer), Masashi Ishihama (Character and Mecha Designer), and Koji Masunari (Director and Storyboards).

Anime & Science Fiction in Japan: Hosted by Hiroaki Inoue, AIC producer and Yukio Kikukawa, Legend of the Galactic Heroes producer, Tokuma Shoten, discussion covered the current influence of anime in America as well as US shows in Japan. In Japan, the anime sci-fi culture is tied closely to the traditional sci-fi culture, involving stories that still cling to harmony between nature and machines. The look and feel are often influenced by American sci-fi movies, and that is probably why certain anime shows today have such a growing popularity in America.	Anime Challenge Game Show: Hosted by the RAGE, contestants vied for top prizes and jeers or cheers from their buddies in the audience as trivia questions were belted out in various questions with references from Tenchi Muyou, Card Captor Sakura, Bubblegum Crisis, Fushigi Yugi, Ah! My Goddess, Gundam Wing, Trigun, Cowboy Bebop, Ranma ½, Super Cat Girl Nuku Nuku, El Hazard, Pokemon, Fatal Fury, Love Hina, Rurouni Kenshin, and many more!

Cosplay Brainstorm w/ Faerie Fingers: Melissa Quinn of Faerie Fingers gave a brief overview of basic design principles of cosplay, advice about choosing simple and eloquent fabrics and materials, and doing research and shopping for the right resources on the Internet. Highlights also covered numerous questions about sewing techniques, care and maintenance, ideas for a great-looking costume, and various differences between successful stage and hall costumes.	No Need for Tenchi! GXP: Hosted by Hiroaki Inoue, producer, AIC, Mamiko Noto, voice of Yoshiko Yamada, Mitsuru Oshima, executive producer, Vap, Tadafumi Seki, president, Bestack, Yutaka Ohashi, producer, Bestack, Yuji Saito, music producer, Imagine. AIC celebrated the 10th anniversary of No Need for Tenchi! with a screening of episodes from the latest No Need for Tenchi! GXP TV series followed by a panel featuring Tenchi producer Hiroaki Inoue and voice actress Mamiko Noto.