Denkyu: Anime Webzine

JACON 2009 ANNOUNCES DATES, GUESTS AND ITS LOCATION FOR THE TENTH - AND FINAL - YEAR FOR ORLANDO, FLORIDA’S JAPANESE ANIMATION CONVENTION
The event, named JACON X: ENDGAME, will feature new and returning guests including a very special musical performance from Transformers singer/songwriter Stan Bush.

Orlando, FL, January 1, 2009:  JACON 2009 (operating under the name JACON X: ENDGAME) will take place May 22-24, 2009 at the Ramada Orlando Celebration Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida.  The event promises to be a celebration of the past ten years of JACON’s (short for Japanese Animation CONvention) support of Central Florida’s passion for Japanese animation and popular culture.

The convention will feature the standard events that over twenty thousand attendees (collectively) have come to enjoy at JACON: celebrity guests, costume contests, Cosplay events, dance parties, discussion panels, game shows, video games, workshops and more.

Weekend passes can be purchased in advance (online until Saturday, Saturday, April 4, 2009) for only $37 or at the door for $45.  Weekend rates for the convention hotel (Ramada) are available for quad occupancy for only $99 plus tax.  Parking at the resort and convention center for JACON is free of charge.

This year’s guests include artists, authors, musical performers and voice actors both new and returning.  Currently scheduled to appear (in alphabetical order) are Stan Bush, Gregg Berger, Richard Epcar, Lynn Flewelling, Rob Granito, Richard Horvitz, George Lowe, Doug Smith and Brett Weaver.  As with previous JACON events, the guest list is subject to change pending unforeseen personal and professional commitments.
Further details regarding the convention can be found online at JACON’s official website: www.JACON.org.

About JACON Guests

Stan Bush - Guest of Honor (Musical Performer)…  Any fan of Transformers: The Movie (1986) will remember the heroic song “The Touch” and the infectious energy of “Dare” from the movie’s soundtrack.  Stan Bush is an Emmy Award winning recording artist who has written and performed songs for movie soundtracks (The Wraith, Kickboxer and Bloodsport) and original works of his own. JACON fans may also recognize Stan’s song “She’s Got The Power” from the American dub of Sailor Moon! “The Touch” is still a staple in today’s pop culture - have been recently featured on the hit television show Chuck. We’re excited to not only have him as a guest at the convention - but he will also be performing a concert for attendees.  In 2009, JACON has “The Touch”!  Stan’s Official Website: www.stanbush.com

Gregg Berger (Voice Actor)…  Gregg is the voice of Grimlock, the Tyrannosaurus Rex leader of the Dinobots in the original Transformers cartoon and Transformers: The Movie (1986).  He is also the only actor to portray the voice of Odie in every animated version of Garfield - and still does so to this day! A talented voice performer, Gregg has done voices on dozens of shows and video games such as Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, Kingdom Hearts II, Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, Astro Boy, and Men in Black: The Series. JACON attendees will no doubt recognize his voice as Jecht from Final Fantasy X.  This is Gregg’s second year at JACON - and we’re excited to have him back!

Richard Epcar (Voice Actor)… This year will be Richard Epcar’s first year as a guest at JACON, and we’re excited to welcome him! His voice acting resume on IMDb details over 150 different performances that encompass popular anime, American dubs of many Sentai shows, and video games! Some of his more notable appearances include voice work on Lupin the 3rd, Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, Saban’s Masked Rider, Robotech, Cyborg 009, Xenosaga, Digimon: Digital Monsters, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Kingdom Hearts II, and (most recently) Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe as The Joker . In addition to voice work, Richard Epcar is also an accomplished voice director and writer - and wrote many of the episodes of Transformers: Robots in Disguise.  Richard’s Official Website: www.richardepcar.com

Lynn Flewelling (Author)… Lynn is an acclaimed American fantasy author who recently became a name in the Japanese popular culture community after appearing at Yaoi-Con in 2008. Best known for her acclaimed Nightrunner series - her novels are currently published in 13 countries, and in 2005, the first volume of the Japanese language version of Luck in the Shadows was published. While her books are best described as mystery or psychological crossover novels, a mix of high and dark fantasy, and she freely admits to wanting to give readers a fun literary ride, Flewelling also incorporates and explores various social issues, most notably gender identity and roles.  Lynn’s Official Website: www.sff.net/people/Lynn.Flewelling

Rob Granito (Artist)… Rob Granito is an internationally known artist and illustrator. Rob has worked for over 15 years in the fields of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and comic art. His name can be found alongside such companies as Warner Brothers, DC comics, Disney, Marvel, MTV, and VH1 where he worked on cartoons and comics as well as book, magazine, and novel covers. This is his second year as a guest for JACON.  Rob’s Official Website: www.robgranito.com

Richard Horvitz (Actor/Voice Actor)…  For his second year, Richard Horvitz - best known as the voice of Invader Zim - returns to JACON. Richard’s resume of voice acting is extensive and includes roles on Ben 10, Grim & Evil, Squirrel Boy and The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy. He also has done voice work on video games like Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriot, The Darkness, and Resistence: Fall of Man. For those of you that are truly “old school” - you may remember a young Mr. Horvitz as Alan Eakian in the classic 80’s film Summer School. Finally - for you Sentai fans - Richard Horvitz is the voice of Alpha-5 on the insanely popular Mighty Morphin Power Rangers!  Richard’s Official Website: www.richardhorvitz.com

George Lowe (Voice Actor)… George Lowe is best known as the voice of “Space Ghost” on Space Ghost: Coast to Coast, and has been a regular guest at JACON since 2002. When auditioning for the “Space Ghost” role in 1994 he beat out the original voice actor who portrayed him, and went on to play the character in over 90 episodes on various shows.  His voice can be heard (more recently) in guest appearances for shows like Robot Chicken (as a very, VERY friendly unicorn), Assy McGee and Aqua Teen Hunger Force on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim.

Doug Smith (Artist/Voice Actor)… Doug has been a regular to the Florida anime convention scene since 2001, and we’re pleased to have him return for JACON 2009. He is best known to anime fans as “Kintaro Oe” in Golden Boy. Doug has also done voice work on many popular shows and films including Go Nagai’s New Cutey Honey, Dirty Pair Flash, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo. These days he is a successful freelance artist and appears at conventions across the U.S.  Doug’s Official Website: www.dougsmithart.com

Brett Weaver (Voice Actor)…  Brett Weaver’s voice acting resume is extensive, but recent fans will know him best from ADV’s Macross series dub as Roy Fokker. His other credits include voice work on Martian Successor Nadesico, Sorcerer Hunters, One Piece, Excel Saga, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Dirty Pair. Brett first appeared at JACON in 2002 - and we’re happy to see him return!  Brett’s Official Website: www.big-big-truck.com

About JACON

“Florida’s Most Successful Anime Convention” was started by a group of motivated college students on the campus of the University of Central Florida in early 2000.  The Japanese Animation Club (JACO) was, at that time, renowned across the U.S. for its work in helping popularize anime (aka “Japanese animation”) through the creation and design of the fan-subbing program JACOsub (http://unicorn.us.com/jacosub/) in the 1990s.

The convention was designed to be a celebration of Japanese animation, popular culture and video games for local Florida residents to enjoy at the UCF student union.  Ten years later, JACON has moved to larger and larger locations to accommodate the over twenty thousand attendees that have come to JACON from across the world over its ten year run.

The JACON staff has made the decision to move on to other projects after completing the tenth JACON convention.  The consensus to do so was in order to “end on a high note” and host a huge celebration for Florida’s anime fans of all ages for the finale event.

Further inquiries and press pass requests should email promotions@jacon.org

Contact: Mr. Sudi Nym
JACON 2009 Promotions
promotions@jacon.org
JACON, LLC
10025 Lone Tree Lane
Orlando, Florida 32836

Green Mustard presents MUGGLECON: A Celebration of Fantasy, Magic & That Particular Boy Wizard on November 21st & 22nd in Orlando, Florida.

The event is a festival for fans of the works of J.K Rowling (Harry Potter) and Stephanie Meyer(Twilight) with partial proceeds going to Give Kids the World.

Orlando, FL, November 10, 2008: Green Mustard is proud to present MUGGLECON: A Celebration of Fantasy, Magic & That Particular Boy Wizard. The event begins Friday evening (November 21st) and runs into late Saturday night/Sunday morning. MuggleCon will take place at the Ramada Orlando Celebration Resort and Convention Center located right off Interstate 4 in Kissimmee, Florida.

The event will feature panels, workshops & entertainment themed around the popular works of J.K. Rowling (author of the Harry Potter books) and Stephanie Meyer (author of the Twilight books.) Game shows and costume contests will give attendees opportunities to show their knowledge and show off their craftsmanship to win prizes. Admission is $11 in advance (online only) or $16 at the door with $1 of each admission being donated to Give Kids the World.

One of the highlights of the celebration will be live performances from Wizard Rock & Twi-Rock bands each night. Slated to appear:

• Fred Lives (Wizard Rock)
• Hagrid & The Angry Skrewts (Wizard Rock)
• Mandala at Twilight (Twi-Rock)
• The House of Black (Wizard Rock)
• The Twilighters (Twi-Rock)
• Witherwings (Wizard Rock)

For complete schedule and event information, visit the official website at www.MuggleCon.com.

About Wizard Rock/Twi-Rock
In recent years, Wizard Rock (celebrating Harry Potter fandom) and now Twi-Rock (celebrating
Twilight fandom) has grown in popularity. In short: musicians write music about the characters
from their favorite books (and films) and perform the songs – sometimes as the characters
themselves.

MTV recently featured an article about this growing trend in fandom
(http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1561855/20070606/story.jhtml).

About Green Mustard
Founded in the late summer of 2001 as Wasabi Anime, Green Mustard is a fan entertainment
production group responsible for conventions and events in and around Florida. They have
produced events for a wide range of anime, fantasy & science fiction conventions including Anime
Festival Orlando, FX, JACON, and dozens of others.

You can learn more at www.greenmustard.com

by Otakuden

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

A wholesome concept at the heart of acceptance, forgiveness, and belonging. But who are the forgotten, the tired, the poor, and the humble? When there is nowhere and no one to call home, then consequently there is an absence of hope. Without hope there is no light. Without light there is no warmth, no life.

Elfen Lied has unfortunately suffered a harsh and critical reputation do to the very graphic visual elements of blood splatter and dismemberment, abuse and suffering, physical and emotional torment, and utter despair. Their brutally honest depiction is the driving force behind Elfen Lied’s exposure of human depravity. There are no kids’ gloves to be found here or any censorship to spare the viewers from an oft ignored and sad truth – people are cruel.

Your father and little sister are brutally murdered right in front of your eyes, literally torn apart limb-from-limb. Such is the shock of the trauma that the young boy suppresses all memories of the incident and a large majority of the events surrounding it.

A mother curses her daughter’s existence for being a burden to her life, and ignores her cries for help as the girl’s step-father continues to sexually abuse her in the silence of the night. Terrified, alone, she finds her only friend in a fellow run-away puppy.

The crush of your childhood remembers nothing of your childhood promise or his shy confession of love. Years pass and when he finally comes back into your life, he is already attached to another young girl.

Brainwashed. Raised almost her whole life in captivity, she had at one time been free, and yet a prisoner of hatred, racism, prejudice and fear. Despised by everyone who knew her for being different, she happened to meet one lone boy who gave her the open acceptance and love she had never known her whole life. He was her world. And then betrayal.

Any Diclonius born is killed at infancy, or as soon as they are discovered and before their powers manifest at a very young age. The few who aren’t killed are captured, raised in captivity within the confines of a top-secret facility. Suffering an endless cycle of torture, torment, and experiments, their only contact with humanity is one of violence and cold objectification. It is no surprise then, should any Diclonius encounter humans, it would mean their immediate death. There are a few theories that the Diclonius are an evolutionary weapon and they seek to find their perfect mate to create a new race of humans after wiping out the old. But it is only a whispered purpose behind Elfen Lied’s message.

Into this world enters our cast of Kohta, Yuka, Mayu, Nyu, and Nana. Initially unrelated, these five characters meet over a spiraling series of events, all of which began with the Kohta and Yukas meeting Nyu on the beach during a crimson sunset. Alone, with no memories and the mental capacity of a toddler, the lost Diclonius is named Nyu by her new benefactors. Assuming the role of parent, it isn’t long before this ragtag yet tight-nit family grows with the addition of Mayu and Nana. In a world which has cast them aside like unwanted garbage, a thing, one young couple has given them back their humanity which had been denied them.

Suffering a split personality due to a severe blow to her head by a .50MG round during her escape from the facility, Nyu and Lucy vie for stability and sanity outside the lab and with their new family. Eventually the two progress towards a common conscience and goal – to protect their home and the love they have found. And in the case of Nyu, maybe even find possible forgiveness.

A smile and a hug can erase the stain of a cruel past and put an end to a vicious cycle.

The is the heart of Elfen Lied. Grievous sins can only find salvation in honest selfless deeds. Also, there truly is a darkness and depth of depravity that people, that humanity is capable of and whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, the simple truth still remains. I was greatly moved by the straightforward story-telling and the message it delivered. It took great courage to animate and depict in such vivid detail that human depravity and sin. For some it may have been too much to stomach, but I appreciated Elfen Lied in its whole and have found a new gem for my anime collection.

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

How many of us can say that we truly understand, embrace, and live by those values? Can you? Can I?

To check out all of Otakuden’s reviews, check out her blog at http://otakudenreviews.livejournal.com/

by Otakuden

In every generation of anime fandom there is one anime in particular that either redefines or creates a new genre, sometimes both. From this anime is birthed a new generation of fans who embark on their journey of otakudom. No matter how many years pass or how much anime is watched, they will always trace their induction with nostalgic fondness back to that one anime which has since been the standard of all its successors to date and to come. There can be only one original.

Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon.

Based on the original manga by Naoko Takeuchi, the manga itself ran for a total of 18 tankoubans from February 1992 to March 1997. An epic romantic drama, Sailor Moon redefined and created a whole new genre of the mahout shoujo medium (magical girl) that to this day is still emulated. Following the manga storyline as accurately as possible and with consultation by Naoko Takeuchi, there were five seasons of anime which ran from March 1992 to February 1997 for a total of 200 episodes. In addition, three subsequent movies and an OVA special collection were also created along with a multitude of live Sailor Moon musicals. Up-and-coming producers, directors, seiyuu, and musical composers may very well not be who or where they are today if it was not for their work on Sailor Moon.

On a personal level, Sailor Moon was discovered by yours truly during my high school years which brought the wide world of anime back into my life, and this time for good. Weekday mornings were spent waking up earlier than usual to ensure I could catch the newest episode. If not, I would make sure the VCR was set to record. It didn’t take long before I was recording every episode no matter what. From my burgeoning passion I turned to the internet, looking at various sites and searches for more information on Sailor Moon. The deeper I delved, my blossoming otaku horizons were broadened and my eyes opened to three things that forever changed my life.

1) Sailor Moon as I was watching it on TV was edited and cut for US broadcast.
2) Sailor Moon was this phenomena called anime which was an infinitely vast creative medium which I had been totally ignorant of.
3) Fansubs aside, anime on VHS could be found in my local brick-and-mortar video store along with online.

Sailor Moon initially follows the bumbling misadventures of your cute and clumsy average 14 year old Japanese school girl. As the story slowly unravels, it becomes readily apparent that the true beginning of the story of Sailor Moon and her fellow Senshi began thousands of years ago in the Silver Millennium in the Moon Kingdom. Alas, a dark and violent tragedy struck at the happy citizens of the Moon Kingdom and the wheels of fate were set in motion. As her family, friends, and subjects fell dead before the invading enemy forces which consisted of Queen Beryl and her Generals from Earth, Queen Serenity of the Moon Kingdom used the last of her strength to seal the dark forces and send her people to the future. There they would be reborn and hopefully be able to live out their lives once more, this time in peace.

From there Tsukino Usagi and cast take center stage, weaving a dramatic tragedy replete with daily monsters and sometimes controversial subject matter. In both the manga and the anime, Sailor Moon broached some rather sensitive issues: homosexuality, transexualism, same-sex families, family division and rife, teen marriage, life and death, fate, true friendship, and hope. For a bishoujo anime geared towards the average teenage girl, Sailor Moon doesn’t pull any punches. Homosexuality in particular was embraced and expressed in a very natural though sometimes tragic fashion. But then, isn’t that just the way of life? Being gay was OK and it was natural; nothing to be punished or feared. The brutally cruel twists of fate that can lead to death and heartache weren’t lessened in any extent to spare viewers. Live can be all things and such denial is a corrosive poison which is harmful to everyone.

In the face of bitter life and death battles is the light of life and hope which will prevail, but sometimes at a price. All things precious and wroth living for must at times be fought for. As Usagi, the Senshi, and Mamoru fight, bleed, and die for us, our everyday normal happy carefree lives continue. Even when youma (demons) attack and the Senshi appear to save the day, there is no personal recognition, no Thank You. Instead, it is their own individual sense of duty, honor, destiny, and love for Earth and Humanity that is the Senshi’s reward. Even the most selfish, cruel, and dismal person is worth saving.

All life is precious.

For all of its seriousness, Sailor Moon has an overabundance of humor and silliness. Part of what sets Sailor Moon aside above all the rest and why it truly is a genre unto itself is the balance between a complex theme and a light-hearted tale of girls growing up while trying to find a peaceful balance between finding love and friendship and protecting the Earth.

The first four seasons and three movies of Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon were previously released in collections and single DVDs by both ADV and Geneon, respectfully. Unfortunately, the DVDs are long out of print. The last season, Sailor Moon Star, and the OVA specials collections have never been licensed. While the releases were for the most part uncut and unedited and for the first time available in Japanese with English subtitles, Sailor Moon didn’t receive the best loving treatment possible. An entire episode was left out of the second season and the original video masters along with the English subtitles were at times rather shoddy. That being said, I consider myself lucky to be a part of this timeless classic. I dream of it being relicensed and rereleased with the love and care that Sailor Moon and tachi deserve, but in the meantime, no matter how many years pass amidst a continuous plethora of anime I watch, Sailor Moon will always hold a very dear place in my heart as the progenitor of my otakudom.

To check out all of Otakuden’s reviews, check out her blog at http://otakudenreviews.livejournal.com/